Women in Sport: Two Cups And A Replay – The Tesco National League Finals Exceeded All Expectations

Thrilling is the only word that can be used to describe Saturday’s ladies gaelic football action at Parnell Park as a triple header of Tesco National League finals served up a treat for all in attendance. For Division 1 finalists Cork and Galway though, the hard work is not yet over as the sides finished all square on the final buzzer and will have to regroup and refocus ahead of the replay which will kick off next Saturday, May 16^th. Galway got the scoring underway early on with a point from Barbara Hannon, to which Cork’s Briege Corkery responded in style and the marker was laid for what was going to be a tough, close and truly nerve-wracking contest. Despite superb scoring from Galway's Tracey Leonard (who slotted over 0-5), Cork had the edge at the break due to good scoring from Valerie Mulcahy and Annie Walsh - and it was a Ciara O’Sullivan goal that separated the sides at the break at 1-6 to 0-6. Galway were undeterred though and opened the second half with a bang, hitting 1-3 on the trot, the goal coming from Louise Ward, to send them into a 1-9 to 1-6 lead. A tense finale awaited though as Cork’s danger woman Valerie Mulcahy netted following a missed Galway penalty, while another Cork goal, this time from Rhona Ní Bhuachalla brought the game down to the wire. As the final buzzer sounded though, it was all square on a final scoreline of Cork 3-8 to Galway 1-14 and the sides will now meet again next weekend. Meanwhile in Division 2, it was Armagh who were crowned champions and can look forward to promotion to Division 1 next year after a high-scoring all Ulster affair against Donegal. Goals from an on-form and unstoppable Aimee Mackin (two), who was really the shining star of the Armagh full forward line, netting 2-5 in total, and the hugely talented Fionnuala McKenna (also two) coupled with some fantastic scoring from Kelly Mallon drove Armagh to a 4-18 to 4-6 victory. For Donegal, Yvonne McMonagle was the stand out star up front, netting a hat trick of goals, while Geraldine McLaughlin added one before the break. This encounter was yet another thriller, with a superb showcase of skill and dedication and was the perfect follow-up to an equalling thrilling Division 3 final that saw a determined and deserving Sligo crowned champions on a 2-12 to 2-8 scoreline over Waterford after a fantastic display from Player of the Match Katie Walsh.