By Anthony Newman

Cork 2-17 Galway 0-13

Melissa Duggan and Ciara O’Sullivan scored first-half goals as Cork qualified for a TG4 All-Ireland Senior Final against champions Dublin following this comprehensive performance against Galway.

With the game switched from Parnell Park to Croke Park at short notice due to an unplayable pitch at the Donnycarney venue, it was Cork that bossed the first-half and Duggan’s seventh minute goal put them on the road to victory.

Tracey Leonard tried her best to keep Galway in touch, but when Ciara O’Sullivan raced through the centre to score Cork’s second goal 12 minutes from the interval, it was a long road back for Galway. It was a fine score from O’Sullivan, who showed ability off both feet before finishing.

Ciara O'Sullivan of @CorkLGFA showing off the goodness of having two feet 👣

Solos off the right and can dummy and finish, off the left 💯pic.twitter.com/Tn2A5BU7fj

— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) December 6, 2020

Orla Finn kicked nine points for Ephie Fitzgerald’s side, who were never in danger of losing this game, despite the efforts of Mairéad Seoighe and substitute Andrea Trill for Galway.

Galway took the lead in the second minute when Tracey Leonard scored from a free, having missed a similar effort 30 seconds earlier.

Cork soon equalised with Finn scoring her first free, but with seven minutes gone they took the lead. It came through a combination many wouldn’t have expected as a brilliant run from wing back Erika O’Shea – which started in her own half – played in another half-back Duggan and she cooly slotted to the net.

Leonard pulled a point back from another free, but two scores from Ciara O’Sullivan and another Finn free, saw Cork lead 1-3 to 0-2 at the water break.

Within a minute of the restart Cork had their second goal, as their pressure on the Galway kick-outs began to tell. Áine Terry O’Sullivan won possession and she played Ciara O’Sullivan in to make it 2-3 to 0-2, with Cork dominant at this stage.

A great point from distance from Seoighe reduced the deficit, with Finn replying from another free at the other end for Cork.

All-Ireland final, here we come 🔴⚪️

Cork will take on Dublin in the All-Ireland @LadiesFootball final on December 20, in a repeat of the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018 deciders. pic.twitter.com/mLKBDH51D5

— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) December 6, 2020

Seoighe pointed again, another long-distance effort, to make it 2-4 to 0-4, but right on the hooter Finn got her fourth free to see Cork in control at half-time as they led by seven points.

Ciara O’Sullivan increased Cork’s lead at the start of the second-half, but two Leonard frees reduced the deficit again.

But Cork were still well in control and points from Áine Terry O’Sullivan and Duggan meant they were still well clear with 37 minutes gone.

Leonard, with her first from play, and half-time substitute Trill kept Galway’s tally moving, but with Eimear Kiely also on target for Cork the gap wasn’t getting any smaller.

Olivia Divilly and Finn exchanged points, but with 13 minutes remaining Galway were dealt another blow when Sinead Burke was sin-binned for a tackle on Libby Coppinger.

While Trill pointed again for Galway there was to be no miraculous comeback, while late points from Finn, Sadhbh O’Leary and Marie O’Callaghan saw Cork run out comfortable winners, as they now face a final against Dublin on 20 December.

Afterwards, the Ladies football association issued a statement on the late venue change, which meant the game couldn’t be broadcast live on TG4, and which meant Galway had a rushed warm-up.

Really feel for Galway Ladies. They arrived 20 mins before throw in and had about 5 mins to warm up for an All Ireland Semi Final due to another venue change! Equality my arse! The LGFA have so much to answer. What a shambles #jokeshop #lgfa

— Damien Comer (@DamoComer) December 6, 2020

“The Ladies Gaelic Football Association wishes to clarify matters arising from today’s TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Senior Football Championship semi-final between Cork and Galway.

A morning pitch inspection deemed the original venue, Parnell Park, unplayable, due to severe frost.

The decision to move the game from Parnell Park, therefore, was made in the interests of player safety.

A request to accommodate the fixture at Croke Park was made to the GAA at 10:20am, and the LGFA was informed at 11am that the game could be played there.

The Galway team, in Kinnegad at the time, received first notification at 10:53am that there was an issue with Parnell Park.

We were acutely aware that Galway were travelling at the time, and they were informed that the LGFA had contacted Croke Park in relation to a potential venue and time change.

Galway were informed, once confirmation was forthcoming from Croke Park, at 11am, that they should proceed to the venue, for a 1pm throw-in.

The 1pm throw-in time was scheduled due to the fact that a result on the day was required, with extra-time and 30m kicks a possibility.

Cork, who were based in Dublin overnight, were also contacted at this stage and made aware of the new arrangements.

While recognising that a change of venue and time was not ideal, the alternative was to postpone the game. The health and safety of our players was to the forefront in the LGFA’s decision to proceed at Croke Park.

We wish to thank the GAA most sincerely for making Croke Park available to the LGFA at short notice.

The game got underway at 1:10pm, to afford both teams an extra ten minutes to prepare.

The LGFA regrets that the game was not available to viewers, despite concerted efforts to secure live coverage.

We congratulate Cork on qualifying for the Final against Dublin at Croke Park on December 20, and offer our commiserations to Galway on the day.”

Scorers – Cork: O Finn 0-9 (8f), C O’Sullivan 1-2, M Duggan 1-1, A O’Sullivan 0-1, E Kiely 0-1, D O’Sullivan 0-1, S O’Leary 0-1, M O’Callaghan 0-1.

Galway: T Leonard 0-6 (5f), M Seoighe 0-3, A Trill 0-2, O Divilly 0-1, A Morrissey 0-1.

Cork: M O’Brien; E Meaney, R Phelan, S Kelly; M Duggan, A Hutchings, E O’Shea; M O’Callaghan, H Looney; E Kiely, C O’Sullivan, O Finn; Á O’Sullivan, D O’Sullivan, S Noonan.

Subs: L Coppinger for A O’Sullivan (42), D Kiely for E Kiely (50), S O’Leary for Noonan (55), O Farmer for D O’Sullivan (56), M Cahalane for Duggan (58).

Galway: L Murphy; S Gormally, S Lynch, S Burke; L Coen, C Cooney, N Ward; A Davoren, L Ward; O Divilly, M Glynn, L Noone; M Seoighe, T Leonard, L Hannon.

Subs: S Molloy for Gormally (h-t), A Trill for Davoren (h-t), S Fahy for Coen (44), A Morrissey for Hannon (48), A McDonogh for Seoighe (51).