Rebels overcome the Blues..
- Feb 19,2012
Rebels overcome the Blues ...
Cork are sitting pretty at the top of the Bord Gáis Energy division 1 league table having secured a hard fought three point win over last year's division 2 champions, Dublin. The game which was played before a large crowd at Pairc Ui Murchu, the home turf of Ballyboden St Endas was a close tight affair with the side's level on a number of occasions throughout the 60 minutes.
The first score of the game, a pointed free by Cork Sports Women of the Year Juliet Murphy came in 10th minute of the first half. Cork who had a huge percentage of possession had appeared to have left their kicking boots on the team bus, much to the relief of the Dublin defence and management. Cork's second score was another free this time converted by three times All Star, Nollaig Cleary.
Foxrock Cabinteely forward Ciara Murphy was the first on the score board for Dublin with a well taken point from just outside the 20m line. Amy McGuinness who was introduced into the game for corner forward Orlaith Egan, slotted over a free to bring the sides level. With eight minutes or so remaining in the first half Dublin had begun to get the measure of the rebels, Dublin's running game was starting to ask questions of the Cork half back line.
A penetrating Dublin move up the pitch which had originated in front of the Dublin full back line via midfield resulted in Dublin's Sinead Aherne being taken down in a combined tackle by Anne Marie Walsh and Deirdre O'Reilly a penalty was awarded to Dublin by match official, Des McEnery.
Up stepped Dublin's Sinead Aherne who placed her shot low to the right of Cork keeper, Elaine Harte. Instinctively Harte managed to get down quickly and blocked the shot and cleared the ball swiftly to one of her defenders, Harte's save gave her team new momentum and they broke rapidly down field, this drive resulted in another Cork free which was once more converted by ace midfielder Juliet Murphy. At the break Cork held a one point advantage over the Dubs, Cork 0-03 Dublin 0-02.
On the restart Dublin where quickly on the score board with a Niamh McEvoy point, the St Sylvester's star had been moved from her named midfield berth to the half forward line, McEvoy was showing well for the ball and was giving the midfield pairing of Goldrick and Finnegan a target to aim for.
At this stage the game ebbed and flowed with both sides exchanging points and the lead. On target for Cork again was Murphy and Cleary while Dublin's Sinead Aherne and Amy McGuinness where on target for the metropolitan's sharing their teams free taking duties.
The game's only goal came from Cork's second half sub Doireann O'Sullivan younger sister of Ciara and Roisin. O'Sullivan took a speculative shot on goal while running through the heart of the Dublin defence, at pace. Dublin keeper, O'Connor dived and appeared to have blocked O'Sullivan's shot but the power of the kick had indeed beaten the two times All Star. Umpire John Lennon of Westmeath, to the dismay of the large Dublin support, raised the green flag to signal the score, Cork where now four points ahead.
To Dublin's credit they continued to battle hard, running time and time again at the Cork defence desperately seeking that elusive goal, Cork at this stage where defending valiantly and had large numbers funnelled back in front of Harte's goal. With Dublin pressing hard Cork relented and conceded a free which Sinead Aherne duly pointed, bringing Dublin to within three points of the six times league champions.
Cork Captain, Rena Buckley was sent to the bin for a clumsy challenge on Fingallians star Amy McGuinness, with 3 minutes remaining on the clock the decision had little or no impact on the pending result.
Time had caught up on the sky blues when McEnery blew his whistle to signal the end of this entertaining encounter, Eamonn Ryan's team had gained three more league points and remain the only division one team with a 100% record, Cork would be many pundits favourites even at this stage of the competition to retain their league crown come May.
Cork's midfield power house, Juliet Murphy was player of the match; Murphy covered the pitch at ease, was always available to support her colleagues and provided a valuable role in linking up well with her forward line, she also scored four points, three of which came from frees.
Up next for Dublin is an away trip to Tyrone on March 4th, meanwhile Cork look forward to an away fixture versus Meath on the same date.
Full time score Cork 1-08 Dublin 0-8
Half time score Cork 0-03 Dublin 0-02
Dublin: Cliodhna O'Connor, Grainne O'Malley, Sinead Treacy, Ailish McKenna, Siobhan McGrath, Sinead Finnegan, Fiona Hudson, Sinead Goldrick, Niamh McEvoy, Kim Flood, Ciara Murphy, Olivia Leonard, Orlaith Egan, Nicole Owens, Sinead Aherne.
Subs: Siobhan Woods for Flood, Anne Clarke for Owens, Amy McGuinness for Egan, Joanne O'Sullivan for Murphy, Sinead O'Mahony for McKenna, Gemma Fay for Finnegan, Denise Masterson for Woods, Colleen Barrett for Leonard.
Scorers: Sinead Aherne 3pts (3F), Amy McGuinness 3pts (3F), Ciara Murphy 1pt, Niamh McEvoy 1pt.
Cork: Elaine Harte, Anne Marie Walsh, Deirdre O'Reilly, Aisling Hutchings, Briege Corkery, Brid Stack, Aine Sheehan, Juliet Murphy, Norita Kelly, Annie Walsh, Ciara O'Sullivan, Grace Kearney, Nollaig Cleary, Rhona Buckley, Oral Finn.
Subs: Rena Buckley for AM Walsh, Geraldine O 'Flynn for Walsh, Doireann O'Sullivan for Finn, Jessica O'Shea for Rhona Buckley, Laura McMahon for Sheehan, Eleanor Ahern for Kearney.
Scorers: Doireann O'Sullivan 1g 1pt, Juliet Murphy 4pts (3F), Nollaig Cleary 2pts (2F), Ciara O'Sullivan 1pt