Cork ladies footballers hit three goals in Tipp to stay in Munster Championship mix

Tipperary 0-11 Cork 3-13 

Katie Quirke’s 2-6 helped Cork overcome Tipperary in the 2025 Munster LGFA SFC at Fethard on Sunday.

The Rebels head to Waterford, for what amounts to a Munster SFC semi-final, next Sunday after getting off the mark at the expense of Tipperary.

After a slow start, Cork led 1-7 to 0-5 at the break. Facing into the wind in the second period, Laura O’Mahony’s goal along with Katie Quirke’s late penalty sealed a merited victory in which Quirke, Laura O’Mahony (1-2), Áine Terry O’Sullivan (0-3), goalkeeper Sarah Murphy, Melissa Duggan and Shauna Kelly impressed.

This round-robin matchup was effectively a knockout tie. That’s because both Tipp and Cork entered Sunday’s fixture off the back of defeats at the hands of Waterford and Kerry respectively.

In search of a favourable All-Ireland SFC seeding, neither could afford to lose a second consecutive provincial outing. The Déise’s victory over Tipp heaped additional pressure on the host county. The Rebels were eager to build on an encouraging second-half performance against the reigning TG4 All-Ireland champions.

February’s Cork and Tipp National League meeting saw the visitors emerge 3-12 to 0-9 winners after a titanic struggle. Unsurprisingly, the Premier once again proved equally difficult opponents for Joe Carroll’s side.

The hosts began positively and led 0-4 to 0-2 after 10 minutes.

Caoimhe Creedon, Aishling Moloney (free), Anna Rose Kennedy and Ava Fennessy efforts had Tipp in the driving seat with Katie Quirke (free) and Áine Terry O’Sullivan replying.

Caitlin Kennedy also had a goal-bound shot blocked but, despite a productive start, Tipp would fail to score for another 17 minutes.

That was the timeframe Cork assumed control, beginning with O’Sullivan and Laura O’Mahony combining for Katie Quirke to fire into the net.

Using a strong wind, three additional Quirke scores (one free) plus Áine Terry O’Sullivan and Laura O’Mahony's efforts moved Cork 1-7 to 0-4 clear.

An Aishling Moloney free stopped the rot but from a position of strength, the Premier changed ends five points adrift.

Kirsty Crotty Ryan reduced the deficit shortly after the restart. Yet, Cork continued to look dangerous in the final third and netted for a second time after 33 minutes. Katie Quirke turned provider for Laura O’Mahony to fire home.

A flurry of scores saw Cork maintain a 2-10 to 0-10 lead heading into the closing stages. Goalkeeper Sarah Murphy was called upon to make two superb saves before Katie Quirke’s late penalty decided the outcome.

The visitors finished with 13 players, Erika O’Shea yellow-carded and Dara Kiniry off injured with all subs used. Tipp lost Maria Curley to a late yellow but it mattered little as Cork finshed strongly to win by eight points.

Scorers for Tipperary: A Moloney 0-4 f, S English 0-3, C Condon, A R Kennedy, A Fennessy, K Crotty Ryan 0-1 each.

Cork: K Quirke 2-6 (1-0 pen, 0-2 f), L O’Mahony 1-2, ÁT O'Sullivan 0-3, A Ryan, H Looney 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: L Fitzpatrick (c); N Martin, L Morrissey, E Cronin; S English, M Curley, B Condon; A R Kennedy, C Kennedy; C Condon, A Ryan, A O’Shea; A Moloney, K Crotty Ryan, A Fennessy.

Subs: A McGuigan for A O’Shea (36); H Spillane for C Condon (39); C English for K C Ryan (39); N Towmey for A Ryan (48); E Cremins for A Fennessy (59).

CORK: S Murphy; D Kiniry, S Kelly, M Duggan; E O’Shea, S Cronin, R Corkery; M O’Callaghan, A Healy; A O’Mahony, L O’Mahony, E Cleary; A T O’Sullivan, E Coppinger (c), K Quirke.

Subs: A Ryan for A O’Mahony (ht); H Looney for M O’Callaghan (41); L Hallihan for L Coppinger (50); E Hurley for E Cleary (54); S McGoldrick for Á T O’Sullivan (58).

Referee: Patrick Smith (Waterford).