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Lethal Lia Hogan fires Cork U14s to All-Ireland football glory

June 30th, 2019 5:00 PM

By Ger McCarthy

Clonakilty's Katie O'Driscoll in action for Cork against Galway's Gráinne Molloy during the All-Ireland U14 Platinum final.

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O'Donovan Rossa's Lia Hogan netted a hat-trick against Galway

CORK 7-15

GALWAY 2-4

O’DONOVAN Rossa’s Lia Hogan netted a hat-trick to help Cork secure the U14 All-Ireland Platinum Championship in Banagher county Offaly.

Cork were rewarded for a terrific performance with their first Platinum (A) title at the U14 inter-county age-grade in six years. Dominic Gallagher’s side finished the season undefeated after 19 matches and were full value for their All-Ireland success. 

A West Cork core was central to the Rebels’ success with Skibbereen’s Lia Hogan playing a starring role. Galway simply couldn’t cope with their opposing full-forward line as Hogan, Inch Rovers’ Tara Hickey and Bride Rovers’ Ciara Morrison ran riot from the opening minutes.

O’Donovan Rossa star Hogan finished the afternoon as the All-Ireland final’s top scorer with 3-3. The young corner forward was a threat whenever in possession and looks a real prospect. Bantry Blues’ Ella Downey also enjoyed a productive afternoon and contributed 1-2.

Clonakilty’s Katie O’Driscoll formed an effective midfield partnership alongside the excellent Lia Heffernan while Cork captain Millie Condon (Clonakilty) proved a willing runner from the half-back position.

The opening ten minutes underlined Cork’s quality. Lia Hogan set up Tara Lynch for the winner’s first goal and that was sandwiched between Eabha Curran and Ella Downey points. The remainder of the half saw Galway struggle to contain their Munster opponents attack despite Roisín Reddington and Ava Trayers’ best efforts.

Led by Lia Heffernan, Cork found the net an additional three times as Bantry’s Ella Downey, Lia Hogan and Tara Hickey (penalty) handed their team a 4-8 to 1-2 interval lead. 

Niamh Divilly had earlier pulled a goal back for Galway but it proved a mere consolation score as Cork never took their foot off the pedal in the second period. 

Unlimited substitutions meant both teams introduced 15 new players apiece but that didn’t prevent Cork from cruising to a richly deserved victory. Lia Hogan completed her hat-trick and Grace Nagle also netted a goal to round off an unforgettable day for the Cork U14 players, management team and supporters. 

Scorers

Cork: Lia Hogan 3-3 (3f), Tara Hickey 2-0 (1-0 pen), Ella Downey 1-2, Eabha Curran 0-3, Ava Healy 1-0, Grace Rooney 0-2 (1f), Grace Nagle 0-2, Lily Murray, Katie O’Driscoll, Ciara White 0-1 each.

Galway: Róisín Lander 1-1 (1f), Niamh Divilly 1-0, Ciara Coen 0-2, Niamh Donovan 0-1. 

Cork: Richmond (Glanmire), Eimear O’Sullivan (Carrigaline), Sophie Collins (Kinsale), Abbie Hoare (Bride Rovers), Ava Barry (Bride Rovers), Chloe McGrath (Shamrocks), Ciara O’Brien (Eire Óg), Fiona Twohig (Valley Rovers), Grace Cooney (Mourneabbey), Jane Savage (Youghal), Katie O’Driscoll (Clonakilty), Lia Heffernan (St Marys), May Collins (Aghada), Millie Condon (Clonakilty), Molly Burke (Mourneabbey), Nora Falvey (Cloyne), Shauna Sheehan (Eire Óg), Keelin Murphy (Ilen Rovers), Lily Murray (Bride Rovers), Lisa Hartnett (Fermoy), Maria Murphy (Donoughmore), Alex Cashman (Youghal), Alison O’Keeffe (Grenagh), Ava Healy (Kilshannig), Caoimhe McEvoy (Clonakilty), Ciara Morrison (Bride Rovers), Ciara White (Clonakilty), Eabha Curran (Nemo Rangers), Ella Downey (Bantry Blues), Grace Nagle (Mallow), Grace Rooney (Inch Rovers), Jane Devlin (Cobh), Lia Hogan (O’Donovan Rossa), Megan O’Shea (Grenagh), Saoirse Foley (Banteer), Sarah McSweeney (Gabriel Rangers), Siofra Patwell (Clonakilty), Tara Hickey (Inch Rovers).

Galway: Leah O’Hallora; Shiofra Ni Scanlain, Maryanne Jordan, Roisin Reddington; Grainne Mollo, Claire Glynn, Neasa Daly; Ava Trayers, Aoife Nash; Molly Boote, Niamh Divilly, Brenda Naughton; Niamh Donovan, Ciara Coen, Lauren O’Donnell, Eeabha Baird, Shauna O’Connell, Jennifer Browne, Roisin Lardner, Lauren Keary, Eabha Brennan, Mary Downes, Anna Browne, Róisín Hughes, Rachel Kelly, Jessica Moran, Ciara Brennan, Milly Holmes, Emma Collins, Kate Thompson.

Referee: Jonathan Murphy (Carlow).

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