Cork ladies footballers return to winning ways in Tipperary 

Tipperary 0-9 Cork 3-12 

Goals from Laura O’Mahony, Orlaith Roche and Emma Cleary earned Cork a Lidl LGFA National Football League Division 2 win over Tipperary at Fethard Town Park on Sunday.

A second National League victory in three outings represented a merited return for the Cork seniors.

Yet, it was far from straightforward. Restricting their opponents to two points in the second half, Cork were much improved after the break, and needed to be following a slow start.

Having come on as a substitute against Galway, Erika O’Shea began at wing-back for a Cork team in which Dara Kiniry (full-back) and Orlaith Roche (full-forward) also started.

Tipperary began with the aid of the wind in the opening half. It was Cork who dominated the early possession with Katie Quirke walloping a goal chance wide after 2 minutes.

The same player opened the scoring from a free shortly after. Tipp responded with Amy O’Shea getting the hosts off the mark prior to Emma Morrissey edging her team in front.

Cork’s attempts to reassert control were thwarted by poor shooting. 

The Premier grew into the game and were full value for their 0-5 to 0-1 lead after quarter of an hour. Morrissey fired over her second prior to Kirsty Crotty Ryan and Amy O’Shea splitting the posts.

A game the home team had been dominating was turned on its head when Cork netted two goals in as many minutes.

Capitalising on defensive lapses, first Orlaith Roche and then Laura O’Mahony rippled the net in quick succession. 

From four points down, a lethargic Cork found themselves two ahead after 19 minutes.

Katie Quirke and Kirsty Crotty Ryan exchanged frees in a half Tipperary finished strongly.

Ava Fennessy wriggled free to send the Premier in 2-2 to 0-7 behind at the short whistle.

Tipp’s Anna Rose Kennedy had a shot cleared off the line at the beginning of the second half before Cork settled and Laura O’Mahony extended their advantage.

Sarah English and Hannah Looney scored at either end ahead of Cork finding another gear.

Máire O’Callaghan and Katie Quirke raised white flags before an Erika O’Shea interception set up Emma Cleary to chip in Cork’s third goal after 44 minutes.

An Abbie O’Mahony point and Laura O'Mahony brace made it 3-9 to 0-8 with 10 minutes remaining.

O’Mahony took her total to 1-4 as Cork saw out the remaining time to win by 11 points.

So, despite another spirited performance, a third Division 2 loss in a row has Tipperary sitting at the bottom of the table.

As for the winners, coming hot on the heels of their defeat in Tuam, Cork are now firmly in the promotion hunt.

Next up for the Rebels is another difficult away trip in Castleblayney to face fellow promotion chasers, Monaghan, in a fortnight.

Scorers for Cork: L O’Mahony 1-4, K Quirke 0-3 (0-2 f), O Roche, E Cleary 1-0 each, H Looney, M O’Callaghan, A O’Mahony, K Smith, K O’Driscoll 0-1 each.

Tipperary: E Morrissey, K Crotty Ryan (0-1 f), A O’Shea 0-2 each, A Fennessy, S English, C Condon 0-1 each.

CORK: S Murphy (Bride Rovers);⁠ M Duggan (Dohenys), D Kiniry (Lisgoold), S Callanan (Clonakilty); E O’Shea (Macroom), S Leahy (captain, Aghada), R Ní Chorcora (Naomh Abán); M O’Callaghan (Mourneabbey), A O’Mahony (Glanmire); L O’Mahony (O’Donovan Rossa), H Looney (Aghada), A McDonagh (Naomh Abán); E Cleary (Éire Óg), O Roche (Glanmire), K Quirke (Bride Rovers).

Subs: S Cronin (Éire Óg) for D Kiniry, K O’Driscoll (Clonakilty) O Roche (both ht), S Kelly (Araglen Desmonds Buí) for S Callanan (46), A Corcoran (Erin’s Own) for A McDonagh (55), K Horgan (Knocknagree) for R Corkery (55), A Ryan (Mourneabbey) for E O’Shea (58), K Smith (Aghada) for E Cleary (58).

TIPPERARY: L Fitzpatrick (captain); E Cronin, L Spillane, M Cronin; S O’Carroll, M Curley, S English; A R Kennedy, N Twomey; A Fennessy, A O’Shea, H Brennan; K Crotty Ryan, E Morrissey, A Ryan.

Subs: S Lutrell for L Spillane (17, inj), C English for A Fennessy (ht, inj), N Towey for L Morrissey (41), C Condon for H Brennan (46), K Cashman for S O’Carroll (50), H Spillane for A O’Shea (50).

Referee: Jonathan Murphy (Carlow).