TG4 All-Ireland Ladies SFC
Cork 6-19
Cavan 3-8
Daire Walsh
Mullingar
After making her competitive return in a comprehensive LGFA All-Ireland Championship Group One triumph over Cavan at Mullingar on Saturday, Doireann O’Sullivan hailed the strength in depth of the Cork squad.
Now in her eighth season of senior inter-county football, the Mourneabbey attacker believes the Leesiders are in an excellent position to challenge for the Brendan Martin Cup.
“I came on in 2012 and I don’t know if I’m being biased, but I think our squad is the best it has been since I’ve been involved in Cork ladies football,” O’Sullivan proclaimed.
Given the options at Ephie Fitzgerald’s disposal, O’Sullivan may have to bide her time before reclaiming a starting berth in the Cork forward line. While the captain hit a point during a 20-minute cameo, the likes of Orla Finn, Saoirse Noonan and Libby Coppinger have impressed in her injury-enforced absence.
“It’s fierce competitive. If you miss a training session, get any old niggle, you’re on the bench or watching from afar. It’s fierce frustrating. It’s hard to get in, but I think it’s what is getting us over the line in matches. Our bench is good and we’ve a lot of talent on the line.”
Nevertheless, she is thrilled to leave a recent back issue behind her and is now focused on Saturday’s clash with Armagh at O’Connor Park, Tullamore.
“I’m just delighted to be back. If we get out of our group, we’re facing a quarter-final and then a match, potentially, in Croke Park on All-Ireland semi-final day. For myself and the subs. we’ll be put through our paces during the week. With games that close you’re trying to build momentum. Armagh will present another challenge. They’re a fierce, physical team and we’ll look at them as well throughout the week.”
Despite leaking first-half goals to Aisling Sheridan and Aisling Maguire, green flags from Aine O’Sullivan and Libby Coppinger propelled Cork to a 2-13 to 2-4 interval cushion.
They remained in charge on the resumption, with Saoirse Noonan, Coppinger, Eimear Scally and Orlagh Farmer all finding the net for the rampant Rebels. Orla Finn’s 0-12 haul made her Cork’s scorer-in-chief and she was a deserved recipient of the player of the match award.
A late Geraldine Sheridan goal was scant consolation for Cavan, but they will secure a place in the last-eight if Armagh fail to beat Cork next weekend.
Scorers for Cork: O Finn 0-12 (6f), L Coppinger 2-0, E Scally (1-0 pen), S Noonan 1-2 each, A O’Sullivan, O Farmer 1-1 each, D O’Sullivan 0-1.
Scorers for Cavan: A Maguire (1-0 pen), A Sheridan 1-2 each, G Sheridan 1-0, A Gilsenan (f), M Sheridan, D English, L McVeety 0-1 each.
CORK: M O’Brien; S Kelly, H Looney, E Meaney; M O’Callaghan, M Duggan, E Spillane; A Hutchings, A O’Sullivan; L Coppinger, C O’Sullivan, O Finn; O Farmer, S Noonan, E Scally.
Subs: E Kiely for Looney (h-t), R Ni Bhuachalla for Noonan, D O’Sullivan for Coppinger (both 40), D Kiely for O’Callaghan, M Ambrose for Meaney (both 52).
CAVAN: E Walsh; S Reilly, R Doonan, S Greene; N Byrd, S Lynch, M Sheridan; D English, S O’Sullivan; C Finnegan, A Sheridan, A Gilsenan; L Fitzpatrick, A Maguire, L McVeety.
Subs: E Lonagair for Finnegan, J Moore for Doonan, N Keenaghan for M Sheridan (all 43), K McIntyre for Lynch, G Sheridan for Maguire (both 49).
Referee: G Chapman (Sligo).