Dubs welcome Rebels to the Capital
- Feb 17,2012
When the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies NFL fixtures were first announced a few months ago one fixture in Division one really stood out from them all, round 3, Dublin v Cork with the Dubs having home advantage!
Dublin and Cork have clocked up a healthy rivalry in recent times, Cork are the team that every County loves to beat owing to the fact that they have beyond question been the most successful Ladies GAA team in modern times, since 2005 Cork had amassed 6 senior All Ireland titles along with 6 division one league titles plus 8 senior Munster titles in addition Cork players had won 37 All Star Awards with midfield Star Juliet Murphy bestowed the inaugural Players Player of the Year award last November, their record speak volumes in relation to the calibre of this squad and the task that Dublin have ahead of them this Sunday.
Dublin will be heartened by their impressive unbeaten start to the season plus the Dubs have fared well against the Rebels in recent league outings, back in 2009 Dublin travelled to Mallow and came away with an unanticipated three point win, final score Dublin 2-11 Cork 2-08. The following season the rebels came to Portmarnock and in a tight close encounter the Sky Blues held out for a one point win, Dublin 1-10 Cork 1-09. In 2010 Dublin made the trip to Fermoy and earned themselves a three point winning margin over the then five in a row All Ireland champions, the game finishing up Dublin 1-12 Cork 3-03.
Cork went on the win their fifth national league title in 2010 beating Connacht side Galway in the final in Parnell Park, while Dublin ironically went the opposite route and were relegated down to division 2. However relegation did not deter Dublin that season as they went on to defeat Tyrone that September in the All-Ireland final bringing Brendan Martin home to the capital for a historical first time. Cork had exited the 2010 championship in the quarter final after a shock defeat to Tyrone in Banagher.
So what can we expect from the 2012 encounter as the 2011 division 1 and division 2 champions square up to each other. Both teams come into the tie unbeaten in the league; Cork had impressive victories over Donegal and Monaghan while Dublin accounted for Leinster sides Kildare and Meath respectively.
Cork have a strong and experience panel available for league action this year despite a few notable absentees, five times All Star full back Angela Walsh and powerful forward Mairead Kelly have taken a year out of football while three times All Star winner Valerie Mulcahy is applying her trade in the Ladies Soccer premiership with Cork Women's FC. The rebels are still a formidable outfit and will be there or there about's come September, challenging once more for All Ireland glory.
Dublin are expected to name their starting 15 to face Cork this evening, like Cork, Dublin too will be without the services of some of their most high profile names this season as Lyndsey Davey, Elaine Kelly and Noelle Healy are gone travelling while Sorcha Furlong and Amy Ring are overcoming knee injuries but hope to be make for consideration come the Leinster championship.
Dublin officials are expecting a large crowd to attend Sunday's game, the draw of viewing some of the games top players is an opportunity one can ill afford to miss, making this spring time clash of champions a sure fire crowd pleaser.
Throw in time on Sunday is 2pm - don't be late!
