Kingdom ambush Rebelettes in Cahersiveen

Eamonn Ryan’s Cork suffered a shock defeat against Kerry in Sunday’s TG4 Munster women’s senior football championship clash in Cahersiveen.

The Leesiders lost by 3-8 to 3-10 in a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland final. It was Cork’s first championship defeat since the 2010 All-Ireland quarter-final against Tyrone.

But in a round-robin series in Munster, victory against Clare on June 28th would see the Rebelettes back in the hunt for a 10th successive Munster title.

Cork struck an early goal when Rhona Ní Bhuachalla netted. But Kerry settled and goalkeeper Edel Murphy, despite conceding three goals, had a superb game between the sticks for the Kingdom. Valerie Mulcahy netted a second goal for Cork but they trailed at half-time by 2-1 to 0-10.

And it was Kerry who edged proceedings in a second half that was marked by four goals – three of them for Kerry, two from Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh and another from local girl Megan O’Connell before Emma Farmer netted in stoppage time for Cork.

Meanwhile, the TG4 Ulster final will be contested by holders Monaghan and Tyrone. Monaghan beat Donegal by 1-14 to 1-6 in Donaghmore on Saturday evening, while the Red Hands scored a 1-9 to 0-11 victory over Armagh in Inniskeen.

And in Leinster, Meath booked their place in the semi-final against Laois with a 2-12 to 1-9 victory over Westmeath at Summerhill.