Experience Pulls Rebelettes Through As Champions

Ladies All Ireland Football Championship Final
Cork 1-09 Dublin 0-11

Cork ladies had to call on all their experience when a late flourish of points saw off a determined Dublin challenge and garner the Leesider's their fifth All Ireland senior football title in a row.

Similar to the closing stages of the men's senior hurling final, things didn't look good for the reigning champions as they were down by two points with under 10 minutes remaining. But  champions are never easily beaten, and that especially applies to this bunch of Rebelettes who know what it takes to win an All Ireland, and hitting four points in succesion they took victory away from a gallant Dublin side. 

In their first final in five years, the Dubs meant business as they hunted in packs and had the champions under pressure right from the throw-in.

They looked impressive when surging into an early two point lead and could have been further ahead had it not been for some great goalkeeping by Cork custodian Elaine Harte who did well to deny influential full forward Sinead Aherne when a goal looked a distinct possibility.

However, Dublin were soon made to realize that beating this brilliant Cork team would not be an easy task as the Leesider's hit back within minutes to blast the game's only goal after Valerie Mulcahy put through Nollaig Cleary and she made no mistake from close range.

Boosted by this Cork went looking to raise more green flags and came mighty close when left half forward Amy O'Shea was unlucky to see her shot strike the goalpost. Dublin had another let-off shortly after when Cork corner forward, Rhona Ní Bhuachalla saw her fierce effort drift just wide of the post.

Midway through the half Dublin had a great chance of a goal of their own when Aherne was dragged to the floor and a penalty was awarded but her spot-kick effort was poorly struck and Harte was in the right place. 

Even though Dublin failed to capitalize on the extra player, owing to Ciara O'Sullivan's sin-bining for the penalty indiscretion, they nonetheless deserved their interval lead of 0-6 to 1-2.

Immediately after the restart, Cork had matters level after the excellent Valerie Mulcahy sent over a fine point. 

With scores hard to come by every advantage was eagerly taken but the teams continued to lock horns as they swapped the lead on three further occasions with neither side wanting to give-in.

Dublin though were still playing well and were keeping the champions under pressure and a nice movement upfield saw Sinead Aherne send her team into a two point lead with a quarter remaining.

But this great Cork team just don't know when they are beaten and two quick points from Mulcahy and impressive sub Mairead Kelly had the sides level again.

The champions then upped the anti showing their true colors when Cleary and Mulcahy hit a further brace of scores to now push them ahead with minutes left on the clock.

Aherne did manage to close the gap to one but there would be no further chances for Dublin as Cork went on to control possession to the hooter for another magnificent All Ireland victory.

Even though Dublin had a greater spread of scorers they couldn't find a way past Cork in the closing stages and it was left to the Rebellettes to close the deal as only champions can.

Teams and Scorers
Cork: E Harte; R Buckley, A Walsh, G O'Flynn; C O'Sullivan, B Stack, B Corkery; J Murphy (0-2f), N Kelly; N Cleary (1-1), D O'Reilly, A O'Shea; M O'Connor, V Mulcahy (0-5, 0-3f) , R Ní Bhuachalla. Subs: L McMahon for O'Shea (40 mins), L Barrett for Ní Bhuachalla (42), M Kelly (0-1) for O'Connor (50).
Dublin: C O'Connor; A Cluxton, N Comyn, M Kavanagh; C Barrett, S Furlong, S McGrath (0-1); D Masterson, N McEvoy; M Nevin (0-2), A McGuinness (0-2), E Kelly (0-1); L Davey (0-1), S Aherne( 0-3, 0-1f), L Peat (0-1). Subs: L Kidd for Cluxton (27 mins), N Hurley for Kelly (39), E Travers for Barrett (55), K Flood for McEvoy (56), R Byrne for Nevin (57).
Referee: D Corcoran (Mayo).