Women In Sport: An All-Munster Affair As Cork And Kerry Book Their Spots In Semi-Final

A replay of the Munster final is in store for fans.

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Women In Sport: An All-Munster Affair As Cork And Kerry Book Their Spots In Semi-Final

A replay of the Munster final is in store for fans.

Cork and Kerry have booked their spots in this year’s All-Ireland semi-finals and will do battle against each other after two fantastic performances this weekend.

Cork Manager Eamonn Ryan celebrates his team’s victory.

First up, Kerry overcame Mayo following a brilliant display on Saturday afternoon, as their dominance in the second half proved to be the deciding factor.

It was a pretty tight and close first half, with the Kingdom leading the way by the smallest of margins (0-3 to 0-2) going in at the break.

Marie Quirke, Kerry, in action against Aileen Gilroy, Mayo.

However, they got the second half underway with a bang, as goals from Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh and Megan O’Connell kicked off a purple patch for Kerry that Mayo just had no response to.

Kerry were on top form, and seemed to have an answer to everything Mayo threw at them, including keeping top-scorer and hugely impressive Cora Staunton to just two points from play.

Rachel Kerns, Mayo, in action against Lorraine Scanlon.

Mayo, who at one stage trailed by 13 points, did pull some scores back as the clock ticked down with Aileen Gilroy netting a fantastic goal.

However, it was too little too late, and Kerry ran out 2-13 to 1-8 winners.

Niamh Kelly, Mayo, in action against Gina Crowley, Kerry.

All eyes then turned to the second game of the afternoon, and the hugely-anticipated clash between Cork and Galway.

The sides had already dished up some thrilling encounters earlier this year, with the National League Division 1 title going to a replay, which Cork managed to win by just one point.

Orlagh Farmer, Cork and Barbara Honnon, Galway.

A huge contest was expected from this game and it certainly delivered, with a late Galway comeback putting Cork’s nerves under severe pressure, but the Rebels held strong to win out 1-12 to 1-10.

Indeed, Cork were seven points up at half-time, 1-6 to 0-2 thanks in part to a goal from Ciara O’Sullivan after just 20 seconds, but as previously stated, Galway weren’t going to step aside easily.

Tina Hughes stops a shot from Cork’s Aine O’Sullivan.

A goal for Galway five minutes in from Geraldine Conneally seemed to swing momentum in their favour but despite the best efforts of the Tribeswomen, it just wasn’t to be.

Cork had leaders all over the pitch to keep breathing space between the sides and drove on with determination to secure their spot in their fifth All-Ireland semi-final in a row.

Patricia Gleeson, Galway in action against Aisling Barrett.

Now the scene is set for August 29^th for the much-anticipated showdown between Cork and Kerry, where reigning All-Ireland champions Cork will surely be looking to avenge their defeat in the Munster final.

On to the Interemediate championship and there were wins for both Waterford and Leitrim at the weekend to step up a very interesting semi-final between the two in the coming weeks.