MONAGHAN CRASH TO CORK

CORK 2-15
MONAGHAN 0-13
By MARY GRIMES
MONAGHAN’S hopes of a place in the All Ireland Ladies SFC final for the second year running was cruelly dashed by a superior Cork team on Saturday last in Birr.
From the very outset, Cork showed just why they have been the best team in the country in the last decade.
Inside the opening minute, All star midfielder Juliet Murphy put over the first point for Cork to immediately put the Oriel county on the backfoot. Monaghan then got on the score sheet though soon after good work by Ciara Mc Anespie to pick out Caoimhe Mohan who pointed over on the left, in the sixth minute.
Caoimhe Mohan – who was having the better of her marker in the early exchanges – was then fouled and Niamh Kindlon put over the resulting free.
It was nip and tuck early on with both teams and scores were hard to come by but Cork were rewarded a free for a foul on Valerie Mulcahey and she put over the resulting free herself.
Just over a minute later Monaghan got their chance to put over a free courtesy of Cathriona Mc Connell when centre forward Laura Mc Eneaney was fouled.
Another free for Cork sailed over in the 10th minute from Juliet Murphy but Laura Mc Eneaney – who was being well watched by the solid Cork half back line – then pointed from play to put Monaghan in front again.
Cork, through inspirational player of the match, Briege Corkery got on level terms once more only for …