Ladies Gaelic Football

ladiesgaelic.ie // 5 THE REBELS VS THE DUBS Volume 14 | Issue No 3 | PEIL Autumn back in the game. The final score was 3-10 to 2-14. Dublin may have been defending champions but Cork reminded them that they still hadn't managed to beat them in Championship football. In 2012 Dublin lost the quarter final by a single point to Kerry. Cork on the other hand marched onto the final. Their opponents were their neighbours from the Kingdom. Cork dominated again and claimed their 7 th All Ireland title. In 2013 Cork defeated Monaghan by 1-10 to 1-09 in the All Ireland Final. But their quarter final win over Dublin was the talk of the Championship. Just like 2011 the side clashed in Birr. And just like 2011 Dublin began at a ferocious pace. A strong first half performance saw Dublin leading 1-08 to 0-7 at half time. At this point nobody in the stands thought that Cork were dead in the water. The second half unfolded and Dublin again started with some stunning football. The crowd began to wonder if this would be the Dubs' day – with 15 minutes left on the clock they were 9 points up and seemed in complete control of the game. Everyone remembers what happens next. Cork began to dominate the Dublin kickouts, this seemed to spur them on. In the 44 th minute Rhona Ní Bhuachalla smashed a goal home – all of a sudden Cork came alive. Juliet Murphy grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck in midfield and drove her team forward. Point after point from Cork as they grew in confidence. Valerie Mulcahy, Nolliag Cleary, Geraldine O'Flynn and Ciara O'Sullivan all converted when it really mattered. 1-10 they scored without reply. This four point defeat devastated Dublin. 2014 to 2016 saw the teams meet in Croke Park for three successive years. Every single year Cork came out on top. 2014 saw Dublin throw everything at Cork once again, but the same story seemed destined to unfold. Dublin went into the dressing rooms 1-07 to 0-04 up. Cork had kicked a number of uncharacteristic wides in the first half and Dublin were in complete control of the game. There are stories of what happened in the Cork dressing room at half time. Big players, taking big leadership stands, Éamonn Ryan letting them do it. The second half once again saw Dublin continue the onslaught. From the previous comebacks though, there must have always been a glimmer of hope for the Rebels. 15 minutes to go – 2-10 to 0-6 in favour of the Dubs. The subs did it again Rhona Ní Bhuachalla and Eimear Scally found the Dublin net – all of a sudden the gap doesn't look that big. Cork kept chipping away and Geraldine O'Flynn drove forward to hit the winner from wing back – Cork steal it by a single point. 2015 and 2016, again and again Cork reclaim the title and maintain their position as the best team in Ladies Football. Dublin keep trying under Gregory McGonigle, they get so many things right but can never manage to get across the line in the final. Cork continue to celebrate and Dublin continue in devastation. 2017 comes along and Mayo knock Cork out in the semi finals. Dublin triumph in Croke Park with a great performance but as in 2010 – it wasn't Cork. This year we were back in Croke Park and for the first time Dublin were favourites, an unusual tag when facing Cork. Many observers look to Cork's inexperience with a 'team in transition' – however when medals were laid on the table the Cork squad had over 60... the Dublin squad could only dream of that! 2018 was finally Dublin's year, but it was no certainty. The game was slow to ignite with neither team setting the stadium alight in the first quarter. As things progressed, Dublin did find their stride. The defence worked exceptionally hard to limit Cork's opportunities, especially close to goal. Sinéad Aherne converted the penalty chance she was given and Niamh Collins showed crystal clear thinking to get to the line in time to save a certain goal. Despite some new faces Cork did not look inexperienced. Dublin were not allowed play they game they wanted and had to work exceptionally hard to maintain distance between them and their most bitter rivals. After four finals and two epic quarter finals Dublin finally beat Cork in Championship football. For now they have earned the right to sit on top of the pile. But before we get too carried away about potential dominance over the last 14 years Cork have won 11 All Ireland Finals and Dublin have won 3 – only one of those have been against the Rebels. Dublin are looking down the barrel of striving for 3 in row but as Cork have shown us, it takes exceptional performances to keep overcoming the chasing pack. We know Dublin are good, maybe even great, but we have no evidence to say they are exceptional. Only time will tell. The Dublin Cork rivalry has forced both teams to constantly improve and look to find the edge, it has served to drive the standard of the game to new heights – long may the battle continue.

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