West Cork 2-15 Éire Óg 0-9 

WEST Cork secured their semi-final berth in the senior ladies football championship following this impressive win against Éire Óg in Kealkil on Tuesday evening.

Last year’s beaten finalists produced a very assured performance which enabled them defeat a strong challenge. West Cork now move into the semi-final, where they will be seeded as they bid to win the county title for the first time. The Ovens outfit are now scheduled to play St Val’s in an appetising quarter-final.

The sides exchanged four points inside the opening seven minutes with Aine Terry O’Sullivan and Emma Cleary swapping scores for their respective teams. West Cork moved three points clear in the 11th minute after Cork senior star Libby Coppinger netted following good approach play by Aine Terry O’Sullilvan.

West Cork were now firmly in control. They were particularly strong down the spine of their team. Sarah Hayes impressed at full-back. Clare O’Shea anchored the centre-back berth. Eve Murphy and Eimear Kiely dominated at midfield, while Rachel Murphy and Libby Coppinger combined very well up front.

West Cork moved six points clear by the 24th minute after they struck three successive points. Fiona Keating with a brace and Aine Terry moved them clear on a scoreline of 1-5 to 0-2.

Éire Óg reduced the deficit to four points after ace full-forward Emer Cleary scored two points from placed balls. West Cork finished the opening half strongly as they recorded two successive points. Melissa Duggan finished off a great move involving Siobhan Courtney and Eve Murphy. Daire Kiely concluded the scoring in the first half when she struck from close range. West Cork led on a half-time score of 1-7 to 0-4.

West Cork continued to impress in the second half. They effectively sealed their win when Libby Coppinger netted her second goal in the 42nd minute after good play by Aine Terry.

The nature of this win sends out a strong message that West Cork are serious contenders following this very impressive display.

Scorers for West Cork: L Coppinger 2-0, A T O’Sullivan 0-5 (0-4 f), F Keating 0-3, R Murphy 0-2, M Duggan, D Kiely, L Harte, C O’Shea, E Murphy 0-1 each.

Éire Óg: E Cleary 0-9 (0-6 f).

WEST CORK: M O’Brien (Clonakilty); S Courtney (Castlehaven); S Hayes (Rosscarbery), C O’Sullivan (Beara); E Spillane (Bantry), C O’Shea (Beara), M Duggan (Dohenys); E Murphy (Bantry), Eimear Kiely (Valley Rovers); Aine Terry O’Sullivan (Beara), R Murphy (Bantry), L Harte (O’Donovan Rossa); F Keating (Courcey Rovers), L Coppinger (St Colum’s), Daire Kiely (Valley Rovers).

Subs: M O’Donovan (Clonakilty) for C O’Sullivan (35), M Barrett (Clonakilty) for E Kiely (45). L Barr (Bandon) for L Harte (53), L Coakley (Bantry Blues) for S Courtney (58), M Coppinger (St Colum’s) for C O’Shea (59).

ÉIRE ÓG: L Crowley; A Hickey, Aisling O’Connell, A Nic Abhaird; A Hickey, B Feeney, S McGoldrick; I Sheehan, C O’Connor; S Cronin, L Cleary, O Cahalane; R Murphy, E Cleary, G Collins.

Subs: R Sheehan for A Hickey (30), E Crowley for R Murphy (30).

Referee: Kieran Creed (Naomh Aban)