Munster TG4 Senior Ladies Gaelic football final – Cork v Kerry

Cork 6-16 Kerry 0-9

There were no surprises on Saturday as reigning National League, provincial and All-Ireland champions Cork displayed ominous form when crushing Kerry by 6-16 to 0-9 in the TG4 Munster final, played at Bruff, Limerick.

Cork led by 1-9 to 0-4 at half-time before the floodgates opened in the second half as the Rebelettes collected a sixth successive provincial title.

Deirdre O’Reilly scored Cork’s first half goal before Rhona Buckley, Valerie O’Reilly (two), Amy O’Shea and Norita Kelly added the second half strikes.

Kerry have now tasted defeat against Cork in four of the last six Munster finals and Jim McEvoy’s charges remain firm favourites to annex a fifth successive All-Ireland title.

Cork scorers: V Mulcahy 2-5 (0-3 frees), M O’Connor 0-5 (0-1 free), R Buckley 1-2, A O’Shea 1-1 (0-1 free), N Kelly 1-0, J Murphy 0-2 (0-1 free) and N Cleary 0-1.

Kerry scorers: M O’Donoghue 0-4, P Dennehy 0-2, B Breen and L Ní Mhuircheartaigh 0-1 each, and S Houlihan 0-1 (free).

Match Preview

The Munster TG4 Senior and Intermediate Ladies Gaelic football finals will be held on Saturday next July 4th at Bruff G.A.A grounds County Limerick. Senior 7.30 Cork v Kerry, Intermediate Clare v Waterford

Cork the reigning Munster & All Ireland champions come into this fixture as raging hot favorites having recently retained the Bord Gais division 1 National League at their ease back in May. Seven of the players played a key role with Munster in winning the Mick Talbot Cup at the end of May when defeating Leinster and the Munster side was captained by Cork Full Back Angela Walsh. Lethal goal scorer Valerie Mulcahy was at her best also in this Tournament and with Norita Kelly regaining her form since returning from her knee operation who would bet against them.

Kerry on the other side have introduced a number of young players and they are well aware of the task that faces them however they have prepared well and the experience gained playing with Munster recently will boost their confidence. Captained by Margaret O Donoghue and the experience of Patrice Dennehy in the attack with the assistance from the new contingent should provide for an interesting game.

The Intermediate tie pairs Clare the reigning Munster champions with Waterford who dropped down from the senior grade of 2008. The Banner County piped in last years All Ireland by Tipperary will want to prove this is there year and with their Minor team defeating Cork in the Provincial final should ooze with confidence. Eimear Considine will lead the attack and she also played a significant role with Munster earlier on this year. Waterford on the other side have a lot of experience and will look on this fixture with some caution they also have introduced a number of players and will be led by Michelle Ryan of the Ballymacarbry club.

Mini games involving all four Counties will take place at half time of both games giving the opportunity to forty young girls to represent their respective Counties on the biggest day of the Provincial calendar. The referees of the mini games have come through the Grab Your Whistle Programme and this should help kick start their refereeing careers.

A great evenings entertainment is guaranteed at Bruff and followers of Ladies Gaelic football are asked to come out and support the game on Saturday next July 4th with proceedings getting underway at 5.15pm.