Cork 2-13 Dublin 2-8

CORK gained a little bit of revenge as they got the defeated Dublin in their Lidl NFL clash at Mallow yesterday.

They twice lost to Dublin at Croke Park recently, in the league and the All-Ireland, and the Rebels were determined it wasn’t going to happen again yesterday. They got the job done here but will now meet their great rivals again in two weeks in the league semi-final, with Galway and Donegal on the other side of the draw.

They had to do without captain Doireann O’Sullivan and Meabh Cahalane, both late withdrawals due to injury, but credit to all they responded to the challenge of the visitors.

They had some outstanding performances, with Hannah Looney again outstanding at full-back, along with the likes of Orlagh Farmer, Maire O’Callaghan and Rhona Ní Bhuachalla.

Afterwards, manager, Ephie Fitzgerald, was happy with the win and said it’s always nice to beat Dublin.

“In terms of the overall league placings it didn’t really matter too much, but in terms of giving some of our players a chance to put themselves a big, strong physical team then it was a great experience and opportunity for them.

“They were missing a number of players, but I am delighted with the performance of our younger girls and this league has been very good for us in finding a number of new players. But we know the semi-final will be a totally differnt affair and they will be far stronger next day out.”

Dublin got off to the perfect start when they got a goal in the first minute. A brilliant ball from Noelle Healy, now playing with Cork side Mourneabbey, put Carle Rowe in and she found the back of the net.

Cork responded quickly, with a point from Orlagh Farmer and with five minutes gone were unlucky not to have a goal of their own.

A shot from Ní Bhuachalla went just outside the post, with Dublin keeper Rachel Fleming, well beaten.

Niamh McEvoy increased Dublin’s lead before Cork were back on level terms, with 11 minutes gone. Ciara O’Sullivan took on the Dublin defence and she played in Maire O’Callaghan who slotted home, to make it 1-1 apiece.

Healy equalised for the visitors, before a free from McEvoy had them back in front. Ní Bhuachalla responded at the other end from a free, to see the sides level with three minutes to half-time.

Ní Bhuachalla pointed on the stroke of half-time to see Cork 1-4 to 1-3 in front in evenly contested first half.

Two points from Ní Bhuachalla extended Cork’s lead, before Rowe replied for Dublin. O’Sullivan and Cotter were on target for Cork and with 44 minutes gone they led by 1-8 to 1-5.

A great move, involving Ní Bhuachalla and O’Sullivan set up Cotter for Cork’s second goal, but credit to Dublin they hit back immediately with two points from frees by McEvoy

With 45 minutes gone Cork were down to 14 when Eimear Meaney was sin-binned and Dublin made it count, with Siobhan Killeen goaling, to put a point between them, 2-7 to 2-8.

But Cork, just like they did against Mayo two weeks ago when they were down to 13, responded in style and hit the next four points, through Ni Bhuachalla (2), Coppinger and Cotter to seal their win.

McEvoy and Scally, scored late points for their respective sides but by then there was only going to be one winner as the Rebels finished second in the league and it sets them up nicely for their semi-final meeting in two weeks.

Scorers for Cork: N Cotter 1-2, M O’Callaghan 1-0, R Ní Bhuachalla 0-6 (0-4 f), C O’Sullivan 0-2, O Farmer, L Coppinger, E Scally 0-1 each.

Dublin: C Rowe 1-2, S Killeen 1-0, N McEvoy 0-5 (0-4 f), N Healy 0-1.

CORK: L Crowley; C O’Shea, H Looney, E Meaney; D Kiely, A Hutchings, E Kiely; M O’Callaghan, N Cotter; O Farmer, C O’Sullivan, L O’Mahony; L Coppinger, S O’Leary, R Ní Bhuachalla.

Subs: C Moore for L Crowley (ht), S Kelly for E Kiely, M Duggan for D Kiely (both 40m), S Noonan for S O’Leary, E Scally for L O’Mahony (both 50m), L O’Mahony for R Ni Bhuachalla (58m inj).

DUBLIN: R Fleming; É Rutledge, O Carey, E McDonagh; S McGoldrick, S Finnegan, A Kane; N Hetherton, S McGrath; C Rowe, S Woods, K Sullivan; S Killeen, N Healy, N McEvoy.

Subs: H O’Neill for K Sullivan (6m inj), R Ruddy for E McDonagh (12m inj), C Trant for R Fleming, O Nolan for S Woods, L Magee for S Finnnegal (all ht), M Byrne for O Carey (46m), L Collins for S McGrath (55m).

Referee: Seamus Mulvihill, (Kerry).