Cork blitz Westmeath in Joe Carroll's first game
Róisin Ní Chorccora, Cork, looking for a way past Grainne Byrne, Westmeath, during their Lidl LGFA Division 2 match at Páirc Uí Rinn. Picture: Dan Linehan
Cork got their 2025 Lidl LGFA National Football League Division 2 campaign off to a positive start courtesy of a dominant victory at home to Westmeath in Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday afternoon.
Ahead of a new league campaign, incoming senior manager Joe Carroll knew gaining promotion from Division 2 was going to be a tricky task.
The Rebels have a target on their backs and can expect every Division 2 opponent to up their game in search of a high-profile scalp. So, emerging unscathed, performing well and gaining maximum points from their first league outing will have pleased the new Cork manager.
Three first-half goals, two from Libby Coppinger and another from Hannah Looney, laid the groundwork for a merited Cork win. Aimee Corcoran, Abbie O’Mahony, Emma Cleary and Siobhán Callanan also impressed.
The game got underway amid freezing temperatures and heavy showers. Cork were first to strike with Máire O’Callaghan and Katie Quirke combining to release Libby Coppinger who netted from close range inside 2 minutes.
Hannah Looney added two quick-fire points before Aimee Corcoran got her name on the scoresheet to edge the hosts six clear.
Incessant rain made life difficult for both teams but Westmeath finally settled as Phillippa Ruane notched the visitors’ first score after 11 minutes. Emma Cleary, who got through a huge amount of work, responded 60 seconds later.
Dominating possession and territory, Cork put the seal on an impressive start when Katie Quirke slalomed through and found Libby Coppinger for the St Colums’ dual star’s second goal.
Worse was to follow for an overworked Westmeath defence when Hannah Looney goaled and Aimee Corcoran pointed immediately after. Abbie O’Mahony pushed Cork 3-6 to 0-1 clear with 10 minutes of the first half remaining.
Anna Jones (free) scored on a rare Westmeath foray forward as Cork lost two-goal Libby Coppinger to injury after 24 minutes. A converted Katie Quirke free ended a one-sided first half.
Phillippa Ruane got her second and Westmeath’s third point immediately after the restart. Emma Cleary replied before Ruane wasted a glorious chance in front of goal and shot wide. Vicky Carr reduced the deficit to 3-8 to 0-4 as the Rebels struggled to match their first-half tempo.
A plethora of Cork wides proved frustrating viewing until Katie Quirke landed three consecutive frees. Anna Jones also landed a free to make it 3-11 to 0-5 with 10 minutes to go. Another Quirke score solidified Cork’s victory in a closing period both managers emptied their respective benches.
Despite a ragged third quarter, Cork were full value for this opening National League triumph. There are tougher tests ahead but Joe Carroll and his management team will be satisfied to have hit the ground running in their first competitive outing.
L Coppinger 2-0, H Looney 1-2, K Quirke 0-5 (4f), A Corcoran, E Cleary 0-2 each, A O’Mahony 0-1.
P Ruane, A Jones (f) 0-2 each, V Carr 0-1.
S Murphy (Bride Rovers); K Horgan (Knocknagree), S Kelly (Araglen Desmonds Buí), S Callanan (Clonakilty); E Cleary (Éire Óg), S Leahy (captain, Aghada), R Ní Chorcora (Naomh Abán); M O’Callaghan (Mourneabbey), A Healy (Cloyne); A O’Mahony (Glanmire), H Looney (Aghada), A Corcoran (Erin’s Own); L O’Mahony (O'Donovan Rossa), L Coppinger (St Colum's), K Quirke (Bride Rovers).
L Hallihan (Bride Rovers) for L Coppinger (inj, 24), A McDonagh (Naomh Abán) for A O’Mahony (47), Sadhbh McGoldrick (Éire Óg) for A Healy (51), Dara Kiniry (Lisgoold) for K Horgan (54), Kaitlin Smith (Aghada) for L O’Mahony (57), Abigail Ring (Cloyne) for H Looney (59).
A Donlon; L McCartan, S Murphy, A Roche; M Ennis, L Power, F Coyle (captain); T Dillon, V Carr; P Ruane, A Jones, F Walshe; C Kilmurray, G Byrne, C Smullen.
C Kelly for M Ennis (23), C McMahon for P Ruane (47), E Cassidy for G Byrne (54), T Geoghegan for A Jones (54).
Raymond McBride (Dublin).
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