CORK must overcome old rivals Dublin if the Rebels are to keep their dream of back-to-back All-Ireland LGFA U18A titles alive.

It is hard to believe it has been almost 12 months since O’Donovan Rossa’s Allie Tobin captained Cork to All-Ireland U18A championship glory.

One year later, manager Kieran O’Shea remains at the helm and chasing more success. The Cork boss has already guided his side to a Munster LGFA title ahead of a rematch with the Dubs.

Upcoming exams mean the All-Ireland semi-final will not take place until Thursday, July 9th, with a venue yet to be confirmed. There is plenty of work to be done before that showdown and O’Shea is pleased with his panel’s progress so far.

‘We have been through all this, same as last year, and have seven or eight girls sitting Leaving Certificate examinations,’ O’Shea informed The Southern Star.

‘There is no pressure put on anyone sitting exams. They will come back whenever they are ready. In the meantime, we will drive on with the rest of the panel.

‘We have challenge games lined up against senior clubs and plenty of training sessions planned as well.’

Castlehaven's Ellen Connolly is a key player on the Cork team.

O’Shea and his players qualified for a second successive All-Ireland semi-final by defending their Munster minor A title. A 4-11 to 4-6 win over Clare in the decider capped an unbeaten provincial campaign.

Mourneabbey’s Laura Walsh (1-5), Lauren Finnegan (1-1) and Youghal’s Autumn Devereaux (2-0) provided the bulk of Cork’s scores. Castlehaven’s Ellen Connolly, Róisín Ní Liatháin, Aoife Treacy, Sarah O’Connor and Kinsale’s Caoimhe O’Donnell (0-1 each) were also on target.

‘One of our main aims this year was to win another Munster title,’ O’Shea said.

‘The girls worked very hard but Clare earned the right to make that final. They beat Kerry down in Killarney so were on a high coming into it.

‘I thought we controlled that Munster final really well. It was a very mature performance from such a young team. That was very pleasing, especially in the first half. It gave us the platform to push on and win despite our intensity dropping after the break.

‘There are still things to improve on from that Munster final win. Overall, we were very happy with the players’ efforts and the victory definitely boosted confidence levels.

‘That Munster title was down to all the hard work, sacrifice and commitment the squad put in towards the end of last year and right through into this season. Not just the players, but the management and backroom team have all been amazing.

‘Munster finals are big occasions so winning one can only help going forward.’

West Cork players have acquitted themselves well whenever called upon. Róisín Duggan (Clonakilty), Ellen Connolly (Castlehaven), Áine Kearney, Anna Kelleher, Hannah Deasy, Caoimhe O’Donnell (all Kinsale), Evelyn McCarthy (Bandon), Caoimhe Foley (Courcey Rovers) and Katie Murphy (Rosscarbery) have all featured at various stages.

Facing Dublin at underage level is nothing new for O’Shea.

‘We saw Dublin beat Meath comprehensively in this year’s Leinster final so we know they are going to be strong,’ he said.

‘Dublin has huge numbers to pick from every year but we will be focusing on ourselves and putting our best foot forward.

‘There is a break from club action now too, which is a big help because we had a lot of injuries to deal with recently. We only had a week’s break from the third round to the second-last game of the Munster championship.

‘The girls are at that age where they are involved with a lot of different teams – senior adult, minor and school teams too. That’s only in ladies football, but some of the girls are playing other codes as well. That can be very hard to manage.

‘As I said before, we have picked up a lot of injuries this year.

‘So, looking ahead to the Dublin game, we will be hoping our preparations go well, training goes well and the girls have enough time to recover from any injuries. We will need everyone fully fit going into that All-Ireland semi-final.

‘Dublin will be hard to beat. Hopefully, if all goes to plan, we will be hard to beat too.’

The 2026 Cork LGFA minor squad includes Cliodhna Higgins (Éire Óg), Sophie McCarthy (Donoughmore), Niamh Hartnett (Erins Own), Megan Barrett (Erins Own), Eimear Walsh (Mourneabbey), Ava Ashman (Inch Rovers), Caoimhe O’Donnell (Kinsale), Katie Murphy (Rosscarbery), Sarah O’Connor (Ballincollig), Evelyn McCarthy (Bandon), Laura Walsh (Mourneabbey, captain), Caoimhe Geraghty (Nemo Rangers), Keely Goggin (Glanmire), Lauren Finnegan (Mourneabbey), Laura Collins (Ballincollig), Róisín Duggan (Clonakilty), Sky Fielding (Carrigaline), Aoife Collins (Nemo Rangers), Ava Coughlan (Aghada), Clíona Ní Mhocháin (Naomh Abán), Aoife Treacy (Glanmire), Ellen Connolly (Castlehaven), Autumn Devereaux (Youghal), Áine Kearney (Kinsale), Róisín Ní Liatháin (Naomh Abán), Alexis Olaniran (Inch Rovers), Anna Kelleher (Kinsale), Caoimhe Foley (Courcey Rovers), Hannah Deasy (Kinsale) and Lauren O’Connor (Inch Rovers).