Cork 7-7
Monaghan 1-9
Conor McKenna reports from St Brendan’s Park, Birr
CORK CRUISED TO victory in their opening game of the TG4 ladies All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, defeating Monaghan by 16 points in what was a one-sided game played out in Birr.
Monaghan did compete well for large periods – especially in the first half – but the Rebels’ class ultimately shone through, with two second-half goals in as many minutes sealing the victory.
Ciara O’Sullivan opened the scoring for Cork with a point. It was followed up by an excellent score from Orla Finn.
Monaghan responded well, though, and two points from Ellen McCarron levelled proceedings.
Cork wing-back Maire O’Callaghan then got the game’s opening goal with an excellent finish after a superb run from deep.
Monaghan did their best to stay in the game but Cork added a further goal: Aine O’Sullivan burst forward with a superb solo run and the Beara native made no mistake with the finish.
Two further points from McCarron kept the Farneywomen in the game approaching half-time. The scoreboard was manageable at the interval, reading 2-4 to 0-6 in Cork’s favour.
Cork completely dominated the second half, however, scoring five more goals en route to victory.
The first of those came after a poor kick-out from Monaghan goalkeeper Linda Martin was intercepted by Saoirse Noonan, who put it on a plate for Ciara O’Sullivan to tap home from close range.
The game was completely over as a contest when Noonan herself found the net brilliantly after linking up with O’Sullivan.
Another O’Sullivan – Doireann, this time – added Cork’s fifth goal shortly afterwards with a great finish before Noonan got her second goal just 20 seconds later, leaving the gap at 18 points.
Player of the Match Ciara O’Sullivan then lobbed Martin to register what her own second and her side’s seventh goal.
A late penalty converted past her opposite number by the Monaghan ‘keeper was little more than a consolation as Cork eased to a 16-point victory.
Scorers – Cork: C O’Sullivan 2-1, S Noonan 2-0, O Finn 0-5 (2f), A O’Sullivan 1-1, D O’Sullivan 1-0 and M O’Callaghan 1-0 each.
Scorers – Monaghan: E McCarron 0-5 (3f), L Martin 1-0 (pen) C McAnespie 0-2, R Courtney 0-1 and E Woods 0-1 each.
Cork: M O’Brien; C Collins, R Phelan, M Duggan; M O’Callaghan, S Kelly, E Spillane; A Hutchings, H Looney; C O’Sullivan, L Coppinger, O Farmer; A O’Sullivan, D O’Sullivan, O Finn.
Subs: S Noonan for Farmer (h-t), E Scally for Coppinger (h-t), B O’Sullivan for Looney (43) A Kelleher for Duggan (52), A Barrett for D O’Sullivan (52)
Monaghan: L Martin; J Fitzpatrick, F Courtney, G McNally; Aoife McAnespie, S Courtney, E Woods; M Monaghan, E McAnespie; R Courtney, J Drury, C Courtney; C McAnespie, N Callan, E McCarron.
Subs: Aisling McAnespie for Courtney (h-t) R McKenna for Fitzpatrick (h-t), Muireann Atkinson for Callon (33), G McKenna for Woods (55), C McBride for Courtney (59).
Referee: Stephen McNulty (Wicklow)
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!