LGFA - Dublin are defeated by Cork in Minor Semi Final

Zucar All Ireland Minor Championship Semi-Final

Dublin 1-11 (14) Cork 2-15 (21)

Reigning minor champions Cork took a step closer to retaining their All-Ireland crown with an impressive victory over Dublin at Moyne Templetuohy GAA club.

Clann Mhuire’s Phoebe Macken got the Dubs off to a flying start with the opening point of the game with just under two minutes gone on the clock. Cork’s response was an emphatic one. Just two minutes late, half forward Lauren Finnegan rattled the back of the Dublin net to propel her side into the lead, a lead that Cork would never relinquish.

Dublin did get a three pointer of their own when in the 9th minutes the aforementioned Phoebe Macken finished off a wonderful passage of play with a super shot past Cork keeper, Róisín Duggan. Dublin at this point trailed their opponents by three points and that would be the difference between the two sides at the interval, HT Cork 1-08 Dublin 1-05.

Despite Dublin making a number of substitutions in an attempt to get back into the game, it was Cork who continued to dominate proceedings in the second half. Their efficiency and game management when in possession of the ball was starting to make an impact.

The Rebels had pushed their lead out to seven points by the halfway point of the second period. Sophie McDonnell, Áine Mulligan and the aforementioned Macken continued to work hard trying to bring Dublin back into the game. A Molly Bourke free helped reduce the deficit back to six points.

The killer blow to any Dublin comeback arrived in the 48th minute when Cork full forward Lauren O’Connor palmed a ball to the back of the Dublin net to give her side a nine-point advantage.

With twelve minutes left on the clock, Dublin hit a bit of purple patch scoring four unanswered points but it was too little to late. Cork sealed their victory when centre forward and team captain Laura Walsh converted two late frees to give the rebels seven points advantage over their opponents.

Cork will defend their All-Ireland title in two weeks’ time when they take on Roscommon in the final. The Connacht champions defeated Down in the other Minor A semi-final by 3-13 to 1-08.

Dublin: Aoibhín Malone (Clann Mhuire), Ellen Fitzgerald (St Brigids), Kate Madden (Kilmacud Crokes), Caoimhe Brady (St Brigids), Kate Hanly (Cuala), Sadhbh O’Donovan (Thomas Davis), Keeva O’Donovan (Thomas Davis), Eilise Stuart (St Maurs), Sophie McDonnell (Naomh Mearnóg) Captain, Laoise Murtagh (St Maurs), Ellie Reen (Naomh Mearnóg), Áine Mulligan (Erin Go Bragh), Orlaith Kehoe (St Judes), Molly Bourke (St Brigids), Phoebe Macken (Clann Mhuire).

Dublin scorers: Phoebe Macken 1-04(2f), Molly Bourke 0-05(3f), Keeva O’Donovan, Laoise Murtagh 0-01 each.

Dublin subs: Liadh Gargan for Orlaith Kehoe, Layla Mai McNeill for Eilise Stuart, Addison Cahill for Kate Hanly, Zara Flood for Ellie Reen, Réka Kiss Kalló for Laoise Murtagh.

Cork: Róisín Duggan (Clonakilty), Anna Kelleher (Kinsale), Aoife Collins (Nemo Rangers), Megan Barrett (Erin's Own), Éimear Walsh (Mourneabbey), Ava Coughlan (Áth Fhada), Caoimhe O’Donnell (Kinsale), Clíona Ní Mhocháin (Naomh Abán), Sarah O'Connor (Ballincollig), Lauren Finnegan (Mourneabbey), Laura Walsh (Mourneabbey),Ellen Connolly (Castlehaven), Autumn Devereaux (Youghal), Lauren O'Connor (Inch Rovers), Róisín Ní Liatháin (Naomh Abán).

Cork scorers: Laura Walsh 0-7(6f), Autumn Devereaux 0-04, Lauren Finnegan 1-01, Lauren O’Connor 1-00, Róisín Ní Liatháin, Sarah O’Connor, Caoimhe O’Donnell 0-01 each.

Cork sub: Aoife Treacy for Lauren O’Connor

Referee: Kevin Phelan (Laois)