Cork 2-12 Laois 0-10
By Rory Delaney at MW Hire O’Moore Park
Cork claimed a well deserved win at MW Hire O’Moore Park.
Ronan McCarthy’s charges were just too clinical for Laois, punishing a few mistakes from the home side to get ahead in the first half, and holding them at arm’s length for the remainder of the game. Laois now face a relegation battle, while Cork face Clare in the final group game needing another result there to progress to the knockout stages.
Laois had a nightmare start, seeing Colm Begley forced off the field through injury with barely a minute gone and, while they waited to bring on his replacement, Cork struck for a goal. A clever pass from Luke Connolly set Sean White through on goal and he finished low past Niall Corbet to open the scoring.
Ciaran Sheehan added a point soon after, claiming a wonderful mark from Ian Maguire’s ball before tapping over from 14 yards. Laois needed a while to settle down and they eventually did, with Donie Kingston winning and then pointing a free in the eighth minute to open their account.
Another long ball reaped dividends for Cork again after that, John O’Rourke the scorer this time as he fisted over from close range. Laois were struggling to create chances at the other end but finally hit something of a purple patch around the 15th minute.
Brian Byrne, a late addition to the side, clipped over two points in quick succession before Danny O’Reilly lofted over a fine long-range score to get the home side back within one. Unfortunately for Laois, that was as good as the first half got.
Cork pointed twice before the water break, Ian Maguire and Kevin O’Driscoll providing the scores this time, before pressing home their superiority when play resumed.
They were helped by some sloppy Laois play, Gareth Dillon’s misplaced pass hoovered up by the Cork forwards who set Ruairi Deane away, the Bantry man jinking his way into the area before slotting into the bottom corner.
It was pedestrian enough from there to the half-time whistle, Cork edging it slightly to take a 2-7 to 0-7 lead into the dressing rooms.
If Laois were hoping for an immediate upturn in their fortunes they were to be disappointed, even if Niall Corbet’s 45 gave them the opening score of the half. Cork replied soon after, winning a breaking ball in their own penalty area after Paul Kingston’s shot for goal was saved, working the ball quickly down field and pointing through Ian Maguire.
The same scenario repeated itself three minutes later, Evan O’Carroll seeing a shot blocked and Cork breaking at speed, John O’Rourke the scorer this time. The only other action of note in this period came when Luke Connolly’s shot for Cork missed the target in the 46th minute, the first wide they registered in the game.
Niall Corbet again came up from between the posts to float over a 45 for Laois with Danny O’Reilly adding another for the home side before the water break to see them within five heading into the final quarter.
They would never get closer than that though, failing to score again as Cork tacked on three more points through subs Mark Collins (two frees) and Shane Forde to run out comfortable eight point winners in the end.
Scorers for Laois: Donie Kingston 0-3 (3fs), Danny O’Reilly, Brian Byrne, Niall Corbet (2 45s) 0-2 each, Kieran Lillis 0-1.
Scorers for Cork: Sean White, Ruairi Deane 1-0 each, John O’Rourke, Ciaran Sheehan (1m), Ian Maguire, Mark Collins (2fs) 0-2 each, Kevin O’Driscoll, Luke Connolly, Mattie Taylor, Shane Forde 0-1 each.
LAOIS: Niall Corbet; Robbie Pigott, Mark Timmons, Gareth Dillon; Trevor Collins, Patrick O’Sullivan, Colm Begley; Kieran Lillis, John O’Loughlin; Brian Byrne, Eoin Lowry, Danny O’Reilly; Paul Kingston, Donie Kingston, Evan O’Carroll.
Subs: Alan Farrell for Begley (2 mins, inj), Mark Barry for O’Carroll (51), Gary Walsh for D Kingston (52), Michael Keogh for Lowry (60), Eoin Buggie for O’Sullivan (60), Sean O’Flynn for Byrne (66), Benny Carroll for P Kingston (66)
CORK: Míchael Martin; Sean Powter, Daniel O’Mahoney, Kevin Flahive; Kevin O’Donovan, Sean Meehan, Mattie Taylor; Ian Maguire, Paul Walsh; Sean White, Ruairi Deane, Kevin O’Driscoll; John O’Rourke, Cíaran Sheehan, Luke Connolly.
Subs: Damien Gore for Connolly (51), Colm O’Callaghan for Sheehan (53), Mark Collins for White (53), Tadhg Corkery for O’Donovan (58), Cian Kiely for Taylor (59), Dan Dineen for O’Rourke (64), Shane Forde for Powter (64).
REFEREE: Barry Judge (Sligo)
Cork remain unbeaten in Hurling League
CORK 7-27 WESTMEATH 0-15
Courtesy of www.gaa.ie
Cork displayed their firepower to full effect at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday as they recorded a 33-point victory over Westmeath to make it three Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Group A games undefeated.
Despite being without Séamus Harnedy, Shane Kingston and Robbie O’Flynn, the Rebels’ reserves of attacking talent are deepening and, despite a slow start, there was never any doubts about the outcome here.
A ninth-minute goal from Alan Connolly – the first of two from him – helped Cork into a lead that wouldn’t be lost and they were 1-5 to 0-4 in front by the first-half water-break. While Killian Doyle replied for Westmeath, who were unlucky to lose Niall O’Brien and Davy Glennon to first-half injuries, Cork pushed on with points from Patrick Horgan, Alan Cadogan, Shane Kingston and Luke Meade and it was 2-9 to 0-5 on the half-hour as Meade finished off a lovely team move.
A third goal arrived as Daire Connery and Alan Connolly combined for Horgan to find the net and four points on the trot coming up to half-time gave Kieran Kingston’s side a 3-14 to 0-9 advantage.
By the time Westmeath would get their tenth point, from star forward Josh Coll in the 50th minute, Cork had an unanswered 4-5. Shane Barrett grabbed the fourth goal soon after the start of the second half and Horgan got his second in the wake of that after poor Westmeath defending.
On 41, Alan Cadogan profited from a Fitzgibbon pass to make it 6-17 to 0-9 and the seventh goal was Connolly’s second, touching home a lovely pass from sub Simon Kennefick, who was making his debut.
The period after the second-half water-break was little more than a procession for Cork, who finished with 13 different scorers – they have now gone three games unbeaten for the first time since the 2018 season. They are sure to find things more difficult next time out against All-Ireland champions Limerick, but they can take encouragement from the manner of the victory here.
Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 2-4 (0-2 frees), Alan Cadogan 1-4, Alan Connolly 2-1, Shane Barrett 1-3, Luke Meade 1-2, Daire Connery 0-3 (0-2 frees), Tim O’Mahony, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Brian Turnbull (0-2 frees) 0-2 each, Conor Cahalane, Robert Downey, Seán Twomey, Seán O’Leary Hayes 0-1 each.
Scorers for Westmeath: Killian Doyle (0-4f), Josh Coll 0-5 each, Ciarán Doyle 0-2, Aaron Craig, Aonghus Clarke, Davy Glennon 0-1 each.
CORK: Ger Collins; Seán O’Leary Hayes, Eoin Cadogan, Seán O’Donoghue; Tim O’Mahony, Niall Cashman, Robert Downey; Darragh Fitzgibbon, Daire Connery; Conor Cahalane, Luke Meade, Shane Barrett; Alan Connolly, Patrick Horgan, Alan Cadogan. Subs: Tadgh Deasy for Meade, Simon Kennefick for Horgan (both 41), James O’Flynn for O’Mahony (48), Bill Cooper for Fitzgibbon (52), Brian Turnbull for Alan Cadogan (53), Seán Twomey for Connolly (54), Daniel Meaney for Connery (56).
WESTMEATH: Eoin Skelly; Darragh Egerton, Tommy Doyle, Brendan Doyle; Aaron Craig, Aonghus Clarke, Shane Clavin; Joey Boyle, Alan Cox; Niall O’Brien, Killian Doyle, Robbie Greville; Davy Glennon, Niall Mitchell, Josh Coll. Subs: Eoghan Ahearn for O’Brien (9, injured), Ciarán Doyle for Glennon (21, injured), Shane Williams for Ahearn (48), Conor Shaw for Doyle (58), Kevin Regan for Brendan Doyle, Peadar Scally for Craig (both 63).
Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).
Picture courtesy of John O’ Brien
Cork register important victory in National Football League
Cork 2-12 Laois 0-10
By Rory Delaney at MW Hire O’Moore Park
Cork claimed a well deserved win at MW Hire O’Moore Park.
Ronan McCarthy’s charges were just too clinical for Laois, punishing a few mistakes from the home side to get ahead in the first half, and holding them at arm’s length for the remainder of the game. Laois now face a relegation battle, while Cork face Clare in the final group game needing another result there to progress to the knockout stages.
Laois had a nightmare start, seeing Colm Begley forced off the field through injury with barely a minute gone and, while they waited to bring on his replacement, Cork struck for a goal. A clever pass from Luke Connolly set Sean White through on goal and he finished low past Niall Corbet to open the scoring.
Ciaran Sheehan added a point soon after, claiming a wonderful mark from Ian Maguire’s ball before tapping over from 14 yards. Laois needed a while to settle down and they eventually did, with Donie Kingston winning and then pointing a free in the eighth minute to open their account.
Another long ball reaped dividends for Cork again after that, John O’Rourke the scorer this time as he fisted over from close range. Laois were struggling to create chances at the other end but finally hit something of a purple patch around the 15th minute.
Brian Byrne, a late addition to the side, clipped over two points in quick succession before Danny O’Reilly lofted over a fine long-range score to get the home side back within one. Unfortunately for Laois, that was as good as the first half got.
Cork pointed twice before the water break, Ian Maguire and Kevin O’Driscoll providing the scores this time, before pressing home their superiority when play resumed.
They were helped by some sloppy Laois play, Gareth Dillon’s misplaced pass hoovered up by the Cork forwards who set Ruairi Deane away, the Bantry man jinking his way into the area before slotting into the bottom corner.
It was pedestrian enough from there to the half-time whistle, Cork edging it slightly to take a 2-7 to 0-7 lead into the dressing rooms.
If Laois were hoping for an immediate upturn in their fortunes they were to be disappointed, even if Niall Corbet’s 45 gave them the opening score of the half. Cork replied soon after, winning a breaking ball in their own penalty area after Paul Kingston’s shot for goal was saved, working the ball quickly down field and pointing through Ian Maguire.
The same scenario repeated itself three minutes later, Evan O’Carroll seeing a shot blocked and Cork breaking at speed, John O’Rourke the scorer this time. The only other action of note in this period came when Luke Connolly’s shot for Cork missed the target in the 46th minute, the first wide they registered in the game.
Niall Corbet again came up from between the posts to float over a 45 for Laois with Danny O’Reilly adding another for the home side before the water break to see them within five heading into the final quarter.
They would never get closer than that though, failing to score again as Cork tacked on three more points through subs Mark Collins (two frees) and Shane Forde to run out comfortable eight point winners in the end.
Scorers for Laois: Donie Kingston 0-3 (3fs), Danny O’Reilly, Brian Byrne, Niall Corbet (2 45s) 0-2 each, Kieran Lillis 0-1.
Scorers for Cork: Sean White, Ruairi Deane 1-0 each, John O’Rourke, Ciaran Sheehan (1m), Ian Maguire, Mark Collins (2fs) 0-2 each, Kevin O’Driscoll, Luke Connolly, Mattie Taylor, Shane Forde 0-1 each.
LAOIS: Niall Corbet; Robbie Pigott, Mark Timmons, Gareth Dillon; Trevor Collins, Patrick O’Sullivan, Colm Begley; Kieran Lillis, John O’Loughlin; Brian Byrne, Eoin Lowry, Danny O’Reilly; Paul Kingston, Donie Kingston, Evan O’Carroll.
Subs: Alan Farrell for Begley (2 mins, inj), Mark Barry for O’Carroll (51), Gary Walsh for D Kingston (52), Michael Keogh for Lowry (60), Eoin Buggie for O’Sullivan (60), Sean O’Flynn for Byrne (66), Benny Carroll for P Kingston (66)
CORK: Míchael Martin; Sean Powter, Daniel O’Mahoney, Kevin Flahive; Kevin O’Donovan, Sean Meehan, Mattie Taylor; Ian Maguire, Paul Walsh; Sean White, Ruairi Deane, Kevin O’Driscoll; John O’Rourke, Cíaran Sheehan, Luke Connolly.
Subs: Damien Gore for Connolly (51), Colm O’Callaghan for Sheehan (53), Mark Collins for White (53), Tadhg Corkery for O’Donovan (58), Cian Kiely for Taylor (59), Dan Dineen for O’Rourke (64), Shane Forde for Powter (64).
REFEREE: Barry Judge (Sligo)
Cork Senior Hurling team to play Westmeath has been announced
Cork Senior Hurling team to play Westmeath on Sunday in Allianz Hurling League Round 3 has been announced.
Cork Senior Football team to play Laois has been announced
Cork Credit Unions Title Sponsor of Cork GAA Football Leagues
Cork Credit Unions and Cork GAA are delighted to announce a new three-year partnership that will
see Cork Credit Unions as the Cork Football Leagues title sponsor.
The Cork Credit Union cover an area stretching from Castletownbere to Youghal and Kinsale to Mitchelstown,
there is a credit union to be found serving every community just like the county’s GAA clubs. With
over 30 Credit Unions and offices across Cork, providing more services to communities than ever
before. Over 50 football teams are participating in the upcoming leagues.
Cork Credit Unions have come together to forge stronger relationships with Cork focused initiatives.
This cooperation between Credit Unions is a key ethos by which they operate, helping them to
provide a multi award-winning service. Credit Unions are not-for-profit, always keeping the
members’ interests at the forefront of everything they do. A key factor is their relentless focus on
understanding what matters most to people and being able to deliver it in the experiences they give
them. As credit unions share a similar ethos of co-operation to football teams and the communities
they represent, showcasing the power of working as a team.
This season, the Co. football leagues take a different shape due to the tighter schedule available. It
means there is now 13 groups in total from Division 1A to Division 7. Divisions 1 to 6 will have two
groups in each, with the top in each group (A & B) playing in semi finals before going onto the finals. 7 finals will be played involving 53 clubs from across the county. The Cork Credit Unions Football
League Cup gets underway on the June Bank Holiday, from the 7th . There will be added bite also in
this years’ competition as there is set to be plenty of local derbies to whet the appetite of club
supporters.
Speaking at the launch of the partnership, Cork GAA Chairperson Marc Sheehan said, “We are
delighted to welcome Cork Credit Unions on board for a three-year period, as our clubs are
about to embark on a long-awaited period of activity. This partnership will allow significant
prize money for the competitions to go directly to clubs at a time of financial challenges for
all units”.
Cork GAA CEO Kevin O’Donovan said, “Our leagues are essential in the provision of regular
games for all our players and to have the support of Cork Credit Unions is a huge asset on
creating the suitable structures. Indeed, as our football leagues reach into every corner of
city and county, it is appropriate that our partners have similar links with our communities.
Once more, the One Cork structure has been a key factor in the new commercial model now
evolving locally”.
Cork Credit Unions Committee member, Luke Casey had the following to say: “We are delighted to
be involved with Cork GAA at a club level. Individual credit unions rooted in their communities have
been supporting clubs for years in one way or another. This three year partnership is another way in
which credit unions are here for Cork. Local clubs and credit unions are found in communities across
the county and the people they serve are the backbone of both. It really is a perfect fit for a
partnership. We look forward to the league season ahead and wish all the participating teams the
best of luck!”
Head to www.corkcreditunions.ie to find out more about your Credit Union and the wider group.
Photos courtesy of Jim Coughlan