Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1365376
THE FIRST 2009: CORK 1-09, DUBLIN 0-11 Dublin started this final well, kicking two points in the first three minutes. There was an Elaine Harte save and a penalty miss – these would prove crucial. Cork were a little edgy in the first half, and their forwards were not as accurate as usual, Rhona Ní Bhuachalla flashed a shot wide and Amy O'Shea hit the butt of the post. When it really mattered, Cork's big players made really big plays. Angela Walsh kept it steady at the back, Valerie Mulcahy hit three sweet points in eight minutes, Brid Stack and Juliet Murphy protected the ball when they had it and Briege Corkery flashed up the pitch to keep a constant pressure on the Dublin defence. For the last 90 seconds, Cork gave a spectacular display of ball retention. 2008: CORK 4-13, MONAGHAN 0-11 Valerie Mulcahy stole the headlines again in 2008. With an uncharacteristic red card in the semi- final, she just made it back in time to score 3-02 in the final. Monaghan played well in the first half and went into the dressing room 0-08 to 1-08 down. As became their trademark, Cork turned up the heat in the second half and Monaghan simply couldn't match it. We also saw one of Eamonn Ryan's trademark substitutions in the second half, Rhona Ní Buachalla took to the field and scored two points. Diving blocks from Briege Corkery and consistent standard-setting in midfield from Juliet Murphy gave spectators no doubt about the pride this Cork team took in playing well right to the final whistle, regardless of the score line. 2007: CORK 2-11, MAYO 2-06 Cork dominated Mayo all over the pitch in this final. If it wasn't for two goals in the last few minutes from Cora Staunton and Fiona McHale, the scoreline would have given a more realistic reflection of the game. Valerie Mulcahy converted a first half penalty and scored another from play for Cork to bring her goal tally to a total of seven for the 2007 Championship. Cora hit some spectacular long distance points as only she could but it wasn't enough for Mayo. 2006: CORK 1-07, ARMAGH 1-06 Armagh provided stiff opposition in the game. They could have had a goal in the first minute if it wasn't for full back Angela Walsh. Bronagh O'Donnell and Caroline O'Hanlon were dominating for Armagh and Cork were struggling to find a flow. Cork improved in the second half, Corkery, Buckley and O'Flynn started to make an impact. Ger O'Flynn put Cork ahead by two with 8 minutes to go. Mairead Tennyson brought it back to one and Armagh pushed hard in the dying minutes for an equaliser. With it all on the line, Juliet Murphy stepped up and made some crucial tackles and interceptions which denied Armagh their chance of a replay. 2005: CORK 1-11, GALWAY 0-8 Galway's experience of the big days was supposed to stand to them but this final announced the arrival of some big names in the Cork team. Five dual players made history – Rena Buckley, Briege Corkery, Angela Walsh, Mary O'Connor and Catriona Foley. Valerie Mulcahy earned player of the match with 1-05 to her name. On that day Galway boasted exceptional players in Annette Clarke, Claire Molloy (current rugby international) and Niamh Fahey (current Liverpool captain and soccer international)