CORK’S senior B footballers made a statement start to their Munster LGFA campaign with a convincing victory over Kerry in Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday – and West Cork had a strong hand in it.

Brian Leamy’s side led 1-9 to 2-3 at half-time but kicked on impressively after the break. A dominant second-half display saw the Rebels pull clear for a 2-18 to 2-5 win, much to the satisfaction of their manager.

‘A win is a win but we weren’t very happy with how we played in the first half,’ Leamy told The Southern Star.

‘We were only three ahead at half-time and thought we should have had a bigger lead. We talked to the girls at half-time and sorted out the kick-out.

‘Putting a bit of pressure on Kerry meant we got the scores in the second half, which we were happy with.’

There was a strong West Cork presence in the Cork senior B panel. Clonakilty’s Niamh Kennedy started at corner-back, with Bandon’s Emma Tarrant in the No. 4 jersey.

Vice-captain Kate O’Donovan lined out in the half-back line, while her Clonakilty team-mate Síofra Pattwell started at corner-forward. On the bench, Margaret Collins (Dohenys), Aisling Moloney and Ruth Shanley (both Clonakilty), and Ellen Maguire (Castlehaven) were also involved.

It had been a long wait for the panel’s first competitive outing, but the months of preparation paid off.

‘We started back in December, completed our trials and from January we just kept going,’ Leamy explained.

‘Today was our first championship game. We played a lot of challenge games but it is tough just playing challenges. The intensity was there this week and the girls really enjoyed that.

‘We really enjoyed our day and hopefully we can get the same result this weekend against Tipperary.’

Síofra Pattwell contributed 0-5 to Cork’s tally, while Glanworth’s Holly Quirke top-scored with 1-6, including a penalty. Rockbán’s Niamh Sheehan added Cork’s second goal.

Molly Beausang and Sadhbh Beausang (both Midleton), Naomh Abán’s Amy McDonagh (0-2 each) and Carrigaline’s Emma Cooney (0-1) also contributed to an impressive total.

‘2-18 is a great score and we are very happy with it,’ Leamy said.

‘I think we should have scored a few more goals but we will work on that in training.

‘Last year, we weren’t very happy with how we finished. We probably should have beaten Clare and Limerick. We want to step it up this time around and move on.’

Cork captain Emma Cooney echoed her manager’s sentiments.

‘We are over the moon,’ the Carrigaline player said.

‘It was our first championship game and our first at home, which meant a lot to us and to the supporters who came out to back us.’

Next up for Cork is a Munster senior B second-round clash against Tipperary this Saturday in Carrigaline (2pm).