IT was another clean sweep for Cork LGFA’s minors, U16A and U16Bs in their Munster LGFA championships.
Cork faced provincial minor A championship title favourites Kerry in Banteer. The Rebels were looking to build on victories over Waterford and Clare against an opponent also yet to drop a point following defeats of Tipperary and Limerick.
Ellen Connolly (Castlehaven), Katie Murphy (Rosscarbery Ladies), Evelyn McCarthy (Bandon), Róisín Duggan (Clonakilty), Caoimhe Foley (Courcey Rovers), Hannah Deasy, Caoimhe O’Donnell, Áine Kearney and Anna Kelleher (all Kinsale) are the West Cork players on this year’s minor panel.
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Cork dominated the opening half, changing ends 2-11 to 0-3 ahead. Kerry introduced second half reinforcements but couldn’t prevent a 2-19 to 0-7 defeat. A full-strength Kerry will be a different proposition should the counties meet again later this year.
Kinsale’s Áine Kearney (1-1) and Castlehaven’s Ellen Connolly (0-2) scored for the winners. Cork’s other scores came via the in-form Laura Walsh (0-8), Autumn Deveraux (1-1), Sarah O’Connor (0-3), Róisín Ní Liatháin (0-2), Aoife Treacy and Caoimhe Geraghty (0-1 each).
There is a mid-season Munster LGFA Minor A Championship break until April 18th when the final two rounds of the provincial section will be completed. Cork are scheduled to travel to Tipperary on April 18th before hosting Limerick on April 25th. The top two ranked counties will contest this year’s Munster final.
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The Rebels maintained their unbeaten start to the Munster U16A Championship thanks to a narrow victory away to Waterford at the SETU Arena. Ioannis O’Connell’s side made it two provincial wins from as many outings following their opening round defeat of Limerick.
Ailbhe Byerley (Clonakilty), Aoife McCarthy (Castlehaven), Lucy Kelleher (Kinsale), Nell Kinsella (Kilmacabea), Roisin O’Sullivan (Castlehaven), Aoife Harte, Aoife Walsh and Mairead Whelton (both Ibane Ladies) are the West Cork players on this year’s Cork U16A panel.
A tight encounter against a strong Waterford line-up, and amid difficult weather conditions, saw O’Connell’s side win 1-8 to 0-8.
The Déise led 0-5 to 0-4 at the break before Cork moved up a gear in the second period and won thanks to a late Kate O’Connell goal. Shauna Keane (0-5), Isabelle O’Callaghan, Kilmacabea’s Nell Kinsella and Niamh O’Connor (0-1) were also on target.
‘It was tough conditions for the girls to play in, due a strong cross-wind,’ Cork U16A manager Ioannis O’Connell told The Southern Star.
‘That made it difficult for both teams to play good football. There were really good performances for us but all our backs played excellently. Our midfield and forwards were strong in the second half so we are just delighted with the win.’
The next round of Munster U16A championship fixtures is scheduled for Saturday, March 21st. Cork will host Clare on the same day that Kerry travel to Tipperary and Limerick take on Waterford.
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The Cork U16Bs continued their positive start to the Munster LGFA Sharon O’Keefe tournament.
As part of a double-header with the Cork U16As, John Callaghan’s side overcame Waterford, 0-19 to 2-4, thanks to seven Ava Murphy points.
The Rebels’ other scorers included Katie Clifford (0-4), Méabh Ni Cheilleachair, Ibane’s Niamh Doyle (0-2 each), Michela Moynihan, Orlaith Murphy, Beara’s Michaela O’Sullivan and Lucy O’Neill (0-1 each).
Once again there was a strong West Cork and Beara presence in the Rebels’ U16B lineup. Niamh Doyle, Kate Collins (Ibane Ladies), Michaela O’Sullivan (Beara), Sally McCauley (Clonakilty), Kate O’Mahony (Bandon) and Grace O’Sullivan (Tadhg MacCárthaigh) were all listed on the matchday panel. Next up for the Cork U16Bs is a Sharon O’Keefe tournament meeting at home to Clare on March 21st.
