WEST Cork and Beara players had prominent roles in Cork’s minor, U16A and U16B Munster LGFA Championship victories last weekend.

The minors travelled to Clare on Sunday, hot on the heels of their recent victory away to Waterford. Kieran O’Shea’s side were eager to register back-to-back Munster championship wins at the expense of an opponent who were unlucky to lose to Limerick in round one.

Clarecastle’s 4G pitch hosted a provincial clash in which the West Cork division was represented by Hannah Deasy, Caoimhe O’Donnell, Áine Kearney, Anna Kelleher (Kinsale), Ellen Connolly (Castlehaven), Katie Murphy (Rosscarbery Ladies), Evelyn McCarthy (Bandon), Róisín Duggan (Clonakilty) and Caoimhe Foley (Courcey Rovers).

Amid awful conditions, with a strong wind blowing across the pitch, a dominant Cork led 1-6 to 0-0 at the interval before going on to win 1-9 to 0-2.

Restricting their opponents to two late frees, Cork overcame a defence-minded opponent to maintain their undefeated start. Laura Walsh top scored for the winners with 0-6. Autumn Deveraux, Kinsale’s Caoimhe O’Donnell and Castlehaven’s Ellen Connolly also featured on the scoreboard.

All eyes turn to Cork’s next Munster minor championship outing, the visit of Kerry to Mallow on Saturday, February 28th with a 2pm throw-in.

Last weekend’s other Munster championship matches included Kerry’s trip to Mungret St Paul’s against Limerick. The Kingdom reaffirmed their championship favourites status by emerging 3-14 to 2-4 winners. Tipperary and Waterford’s scheduled clash in Bansha had to be postponed.

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Ioannis O’Connell’s Cork U16s began their Munster LGFA U16A Championship campaign away to Limerick in the Banteer Community Sports field on Saturday.

West Cork’s representatives on this year’s Cork U16 A panel include Aoife Harte, Aoife Walsh, Mairead Whelton (Ibane Ladies), Ailbhe Byerley (Clonakilty), Aoife McCarthy (Castlehaven), Lucy Kelleher (Kinsale), Nell Kinsella (Kilmacabea) and Roisin O’Sullivan (Castlehaven).

The Rebels produced a powerful display, winning 4-18 to 2-7 thanks, in part, to Shauna Keane’s personal haul of 1-8. Kate O’Connell (2-0) and Isabelle O’Callaghan (1-1) also scored on a day Orla O’Brien, Aoife Harte, Maria Humphreys, Niamh O’Connor, Ciara Hanrahan, Kilmacabea’s Nell Kinsella, Abbie Ni Scannlain and Sarah McCormack raised white flags.

‘It was a good start to our championship against a resilient Limerick side,’ Cork U16A manager Ioannis O’Connell told The Southern Star.

‘Limerick put it up to us and were never really out of it. We pulled away in the second half, but I am really happy with the result and happy for the girls following their first championship game.’

Elsewhere in the Munster U16A Championship, Kerry proved too strong for Clare, winning 5-9 to 2-8 in Killarney. On the same afternoon, Tipperary edged Waterford 2-14 to 4-4 in Fethard.

Next up for the Cork U16As is another road trip, this time away to Waterford on Saturday afternoon.

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John Callaghan’s Cork U16Bs completed their first competitive outing in the Munster LGFA Sharon O’Keefe tournament on Saturday.

Banteer was the venue for a provincial U16A and U16B Cork versus Limerick double-header where the Rebels’ West Cork and Beara contingent included Sally McCauley (Clonakilty), Kate O’Mahony (Bandon), Grace O’Sullivan (Tadhg MacCárthaigh), Niamh Doyle, Kate Collins (Ibane Ladies), and Michaela O’Sullivan (Beara).

The Cork U16Bs proved too strong for the Shannonsiders, running out 4-7 to 1-4 winners. Aoife Hanly, Emily Carey, Michela Moynihan and Méabh Ní Chéilleachair each notched 1-1 on an afternoon Niamh Doyle, Katie McGann and Mia Carroll (0-1 each) also contributed.

‘I’m delighted to get off to a good start in the Munster U16B Championship against a good Limerick side,’ John Callaghan said. ‘The girls put in a fantastic second half performance and the whole squad contributed to the result.’