Rampant Cork take back the crown

WOMEN'S FINALS: THE ALL-IRELAND champions Cork regained the Suzuki Women's National Football League Division One crown with a comprehensive 6-13 to 2-10 victory against Munster rivals Kerry at Cusack Park in Ennis yesterday.

Cork, who lost out to the eventual champions, Mayo, in last year's semi-final, produced a power-packed effort to reclaim the title they last won in 2006.

They were on top form from the start as Valerie Mulcahy's early goal helped to open up a 1-3 to 0-0 advantage after just 12 minutes.

Deirdre O'Reilly and Amy O'Shea got further goals against a shell-shocked Kerry, who trailed by 3-4 to 0-1 after just 19 minutes.

Quickfire goals from Louise Ní­ Mhuircheartaigh and substitute Aoife O'Sullivan dragged Kerry back into contention as they trailed by 3-4 to 2-1 but hopes of a revival were extinguished before half-time when Laura McMahon scored Cork's fourth goal.

Cork led 4-5 to 2-3 at the break and O'Shea scored her second and Cork's fifth goal before Rhona Buckley bagged the sixth midway through the second half to make it 6-7 to 2-8.

O'Shea finished with 2-1 while the player of the match, Mulcahy, helped herself to 1-4.

Kerry, suffering their first league defeat of the year, were best served by first-half substitute O'Sullivan, who scored 1-4, but their 15-year wait for major silverware continues.

Cork, winners of the last three All-Ireland titles, have immense depth and their experience of winning big games is invaluable.

The Division Two final was a cracker at a sun-kissed Cusack Park as Clare ran out the narrowest of winners against Donegal on a 2-10 to 0-15 scoreline.

First-half goals from 16-year-old Eimear Considine and player-of-the-match Áine Kelly helped Clare to a 2-5 to 0-8 half-time lead. Donegal rallied in the second half, Karen Guthrie kicking two fine scores, but Clare held out to claim a first Division Two title since 2000.

Clare's Majella Griffin pointed seven frees while Nadine Doherty and Bridget Gallagher kicked 0-4 apiece for Donegal.

Cavan took their first league title by beating Limerick 1-9 to 1-5 in the Division Three final at Semple Stadium on Saturday.