Cork U20 ladies footballers edge out Meath in entertaining clash

Cork 0-17 (0-0-17) Meath 2-8 (2-0-8) 

Cork registered a crucial victory over Meath to stay in the hunt for an All-Ireland LGFA U20 Championship final berth in Mourneabbey on Sunday afternoon.

Denis Mulvhill’s side built on their recent victory over Dublin and made it back-to-back championship wins despite being pushed to the limit by a hardworking Meath.

That outcome, coupled with the Dubs’ 4-16 to 2-13 defeat of Galway, means it is all to play for with one round of group matches remaining.

Cork head to Swinford for a meeting with Mayo at the end of June knowing victory and a Dublin win over Meath might yet be enough to progress to an All-Ireland U20 final.

Those scenarios would see Cork, Galway and Dublin finish level on points and where scoring difference would be needed to decide who goes forward to the All-Ireland decider.

Last Sunday, the Rebels overcame a dogged Meath team that kicked 12 wides to stay in the hunt for U20 honours. Amid a stop-start encounter, blighted by frees and some refereeing decisions not appreciated by either set of supporters, it was Cork who edged the result.

Maebh Collins’ nine converted frees proved crucial to the outcome as did Caoimhe Horgan (0-5), Saoirse Cunningham, Amy O’Riordan and Kate Williamson’s combined efforts.

A converted Collins free and Horgan effort handed Cork an early two-point lead. The award of a penalty kick to Meath, much to the Cork sideline’s bafflement, saw Orlaith Reilly convert to make it 1-0 to 0-2 after 8 minutes.

Cliodhna Smith and Caoimhe Horgan swapped scores prior to the former landing two consecutive frees to push Meath three points ahead. Maebh Collins answered with two frees of her own before Hannah Sheehy levelled matters for the first time.

A superb Saoirse Cunningham point preceded Cork’s fifth score in a row as Cassandra Fitzgerald split the posts to make it 0-8 to 1-3. Smith and Collins exchanged frees but Meath netted a goal on the stroke of half-time to lead by a point at the break. Anna Moyles wriggled free of two Cork defenders and managed to find the top corner from a tight angle.

Cork had loud penalty claims waved away when Cassandra Fitzgerald was pulled to the ground inside the square immediately after the restart.

Undettered, the Rebels responded positively with Caoimhe Horgan scoring twice in quick succession. Then, a yellow card for Meath full-back Emma Lynch handed the hosts a temporary numerical advantage.

Credit to Meath, who outscored their opponents two points to one during that 10-minute period. Collins landed another free but Anna Moyles and Isabel Thorp (free) scores made it 0-12 to 2-6 before the visitors returned to their full complement.

A nervy finale began with Maebh Collins and Thorp landing frees at either end. Cork’s willingess to run into contact resulted in two more Collins frees, much to the Meath sideline and supporters’ dismay.

Meath captain, Thorp, answered via yet another free to leave the Leinster side 0-15 to 2-8 behind with time up.

Winning possession from a series of kickouts, Cork managed to kick two scores during six additional minutes of injury-time.

It was fitting that Cork’s two top scorers, Caoimhe Horgan and Maebh Collins (free), had the final say, ensuring the Rebels emerged 0-17 to 2-8 winners.

Scorers for Cork: M Collins 0-9 f, C Horgan 0-5, H Sheehy, S Cunningham, C Fitzgerald 0-1 each.

Meath: C Smith 0-4 (0-3 f), A Moyles 1-1, I Thorp 0-3 f, O Reilly 1-0 pen.

CORK: A Toye (St Michael’s); O Drummey (Erin’s Own), K Goulding (Rockbán), A McKeogh (Ibane Ladies); L Carey (Ilen Rovers), K Williamson (Mourneabbey), S Cunningham (Erin’s Own); A O’Riordan (Ballinora, c), A Buckley (St Val’s); H Sheehy (Castlehaven), B Smith (Aghada), C Horgan (Kinsale); C Ní Thúama (Naomh Abán), M Collins (Ilen Rovers), C Fitzgerald (Nemo Rangers).

Sub: L O’Sullivan (Lisgoold) for C Fitzgerald (48).

MEATH: M Leddy; E Comerford, E Lynch, A Gardiner; M Fahy, K Butvilaite, E O’Sullivan; A Moyles, K Gormley; S Fox, I Thorp (captain), R Larkin; C Smith, O Reilly, N McDermott.

Subs: A Akinboboye for R Larkin (43), A Kavanagh for O Reilly (56).

Referee: Barry Redmond (Wexford).