MELISSA Duggan producing the goods for Cork is one of those certainties in life. The Dunmanway woman was at it again in the Division 1 opener, scoring a crucial first-half goal in the home draw with Kildare.

‘I think Emma passed me the ball, I wasn't too sure what to do with it but it was good just to get it in the back of the net!’ Duggan told The Southern Star, after an afternoon of firsts at MTU Cork on Sunday.

It was Cork’s first game back in Division 1 having gained promotion last year. The first day players, mentors and supporters got to experience the new LGFA experimental playing rules in a competitive setting.

It was also Duggan’s first day lining out as Cork's senior vice-captain. The Dohenys stalwart, along with a second vice-captain in Shauna Cronin, are supporting newly-appointed captain Emma Cleary for the 2026 season.

And it was a first point on the board for Cork, as Katie Quirke scored a late, late leveller.

‘It was a great team performance and we were happy with how we ended,’ Duggan said, encouraged by what she saw.

‘As for the new rules, yeah definitely, they are a good thing. The tap and go rule is definitely something that makes the game much quicker.’

Cork managed to eke out a draw despite being behind by three points on two occasions and a point behind in the fourth minute of injury-time.

Yet, a new look Cork senior panel, complete with 21 players who will be involved in Higher Education football, doggedly stuck to their task and emerged with a draw.

Ahead of facing Galway at home this Sunday, acclimatising to the new experimental rules was as important as getting a point on the board.

‘Definitely, the new rules, we needed a competitive game just to tie with what we have been doing in training and get that extra fitness,’ Duggan added.

‘Our bench made such an impact today. I know, looking back, Abigail (Ring) getting her shots off and two points. Áine Terry (O’Sullivan) coming in, they made such an impact. That’s what we need going forward. The game is played at such a quicker pace now, when there’s no stoppages. You’re just going, going, going.

‘We’ll definitely need that impact off the bench against Galway but it is great that we have another home game (this Sunday).’