Late goal sees Cork lose out to Tipp in Munster U16 Sharon O'Keeffe final

Tipperary 4-12 Cork 4-8

Heartbreak for Cork as they lost out to Tipperary in the Munster U16 A Sharon O’Keeffe Ladies Football Cup at Mallow on Friday night.

The competition is named after Sharon O’Keeffe, who sadly passed away several years ago, but was a key figure in ladies football for many years, especially in Cork.

The final was one she would have enjoyed such was the talent on display, in a game that flowed from end to end all through.

In the end, it was a late goal from Lexie Ferris that secured the win for Tipp, one they deserved for their overall display.

Ella O’Sullivan opened the scoring for Cork after four minutes with a well-taken point to put the Rebels in front.

Tipperary’s first real chance came in the seventh minute when Orla Pamplin bore down on her goal, but her effort was well saved by Lily Higgins.

A good run from Amy Cahill saw her point and Jennifer Marnell added a second from a free to put Tipp in front by 0-2 to 0-1.

A sweeping move, involving several players, saw Marnell in on goal and she made no mistake, to make it 1-2 to 0-1 after 15 minutes.

But Cork hit back with Emma Walsh getting their second point. They were then awarded a penalty, which Nessa McCormack slotted home, to level it at 1-2 apiece.

Tipp retook the lead from their next attack, with Lily O’Donoghue scoring from distance, before O’Sullivan pointed from a free for Cork to level it again.

Marnell put Tipp back in front and Pamplin added another to make it 1-5 to 1-3. Marnell was on target again, before Cork finished the half strongly.

Blaithin Cunniffe got their second goal from distance and O’Sullivan added a point, to make it 2-4 to 1-6 as half time approached.

Just before the half time whistle Cork got their third goal, when O’Sullivan found the back of the net from a free, to see them lead by 3-4 to 1-6 at the break.

Cork started the second half strongly with O’Sullivan adding two points, before Isabelle O’Callaghan increased their lead further, 3-7 to 1-6.

But credit to Tipp they came flying back with Marnell pointing before Pamplin took on the Cork defence to score a great goal.

She added a point and all of a sudden the Cork lead was down to two points, 3-7 to 2-8.

But Cork responded in style and moved the ball from their own half to see Faye Hanratty in on goal to make it 4-7 to 2-8 with 40 minutes gone.

Again Tipp responded and a brilliant run from Zara Cosgrave had them back on level terms again, when she scored her side’s third goal, 3-10 to 4-7.

Amelia Sheehan put Cork back in front with 10 minutes to go, as the action flowed from end to end.

Tipp keeper, Eve Fogarty, then made two great saves – from Sheehan and Hanratty to deny Cork what looked like certain goals.

With four minutes to go, Tipp got their fourth goal, when Lexie Ferris scored as they now had one hand on the cup.

Aoife O’Donnell scored a late point to secure their win as Tipp were crowned champions after a superb final.

Scorers for Tipperary: J Marnell 1-7 (5f), O Pamplin 1-3, Z Cosgrave, L Ferris 1-0 each, A Cahill, L O’Donoghue 0-1 each.

Cork: E O’Sullivan 1-5 (3f), N McCormack (pen), B Cunniffe, F Hanratty 1-0 each, E Walsh, I O’Callaghan, A Sheehan 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: R Jacob; L Rabitte, K Bergin, A Ryan; E Durkin, Z Cosgrave, M Gantley; A Cahill, K Molumby; O Pamplin, A O’Donnell, J Marnell; A Butler, L O’Donoghue, Z Duggan.

Subs: E Fogarty, A Agar, A Ryan, K Donovan, C Norris, F Keague, E Duffy, A Cully, E Aird, M Doyle, S Strang, E Hally, L Ferris, E Fanning.

CORK: L Higgins; N Murray, D Barry, K O’Mahony; R Prendeville, C Hughes, F O’Connell; B Cunniffe, C Burke; A Collins, I O’Callaghan, E Walsh; E O’Sullivan, F Hanratty, N McCormack.

Subs: S Canty, A Leahy, A Collins, A Sheehan, B Lynch, C Brennan, C McCarthy, E Burchill, E Cafferkey, F Larkin, G O’Sullivan, J O’Donovan, K Clifford, K Hanrahan, M O’Sullivan.

Referee: Patrick Smith, Waterford.