Cork ladies footballers are underdogs in their quarter final battle against Dublin

The Cork hurlers aren’t the only side heading to Dublin tomorrow for an important game.

The Cork senior ladies footballers are in action against the same opposition in the quarter-final of the TG4 All-Ireland senior championship, throw-in 1.15pm at Parnell Park.

It’s an ideal opportunity for GAA supporters to cheer on the ladies side first before heading over to Croker to support the hurlers at 5pm.

They could do with all the support they can get as they face into a game that few will believe they can win, despite an impressive display against Mayo two weeks ago.

For many years no matter what Dublin did they couldn’t get the better of Cork, but now in recent seasons the opposite is true.

Dublin have had the upper hand over Cork and few will be expecting anything other than a home win.

The Dubs had an expected, but still impressive, win over Leitrim in the round robin stages of the championship, winning by 8-18 to 0-7. 

They then drew with Waterford, 1-13 apiece, the second draw between the sides this season, the other being in the league. 

Dublin also beat Kerry, Meath and Mayo in the league, all tough sides to defeat.

Even though Dublin are not the force they were in recent years, they still have a side packed with stars, including the likes of Kate Sullivan, Eilish O’Dowd, Chloe Darby, Carla Rowe, Leah Caffrey, Niamh Crowley and Sinead Goldrick, to name a few.

All are capable of turning a game Dublin’s way and will be expected to feature tomorrow.

However above all them one player has caused the Rebels constant trouble in recent years and that’s Hannah Tyrrell.

On more than one occasion over the last few seasons the former rugby star has been the difference between the two sides as Cork found her physicality and height difficult to deal with.

She won a few Player of the Game awards in those clashes and she will relish the challenge of taking on Cork again.

But Cork have plenty of stars of their own and the return to action of Sarah Leahy against Mayo was a welcome one, especially with Shauna Kelly picking up an injury in that encounter.

Kelly will be out for the rest of the season and is a huge loss, but on the other side the return of Leahy helps to counteract that.

Of course manager, Joe Carroll, would like to have both available but it will be next year before Kelly wears the Cork jersey again. Katie Horgan or Dara Kiniry will most likely take Kelly’s place in defence.

Alongside Leahy the likes of Melissa Duggan, Shauna Cronin, Rosie Corkery and Aimee Corcoran will have to be at their best to stop the Dublin attack.

On their day they are more than capable of doing so and need to put in a complete 60 minute performance though, like they did against Mayo, to have a chance of coming out on top.

Midfielder Marie O’Callaghan is also back to her best after a recent injury and it was her goal, inside 20 seconds, that put Cork on their way to that win over Mayo.

Her partnership with either Hannah Looney or Aoife Healy in the middle of the pitch will have a big say in the final result.

Up front Katie Quirke will lead the attack, with plenty of others also well able to concern the Dublin defence.

Aine Terry O’Sullivan takes a bit of stopping as do the likes of Emma Cleary, Abbie and Laura O’Mahony.

The two O’Mahony’s have become key players for Cork this season and both are showing the type of form for their clubs, Glanmire and O’Donovan Rossa, respectively that will be needed again tomorrow. 

Abbie will be seen back in defence as much as attack and is now showing why she captained Cork to All-Ireland minor glory a number of years ago.

Laura is not afraid to take on any defender and her driving runs have set up many a score for the Rebels this season.

It’s not going to be easy for Cork to come out on top but they have the potential to do so and though it may surprise some, it certainly won’t be a surprise to themselves if they emerge victors and get the day off to a great start for Cork.