Smooth as the leather on a span-new O’Neill’s.
For a county like Cork, a year without a league title is something of a drought. Two years without an All-Ireland is more of a famine.
Ephie O’Sullivan’s group are on a mission in 2019 though and they’re halfway towards the restoration of natural order now.
The Dublin ladies have been on a perch for the last two years, back to back All-Ireland and reigning League champions but Cork have reclaimed one of those crowns now, in the Lidl National League Division One title, and by the sounds of players and management and by the looks of their performance against Galway in the final, they’re well on course to doing the 2019 double.
Nothing less will do.
It was Galway who started the brighter in this League decider in Parnell Park though, Tracey Leonard kicking the opening score for Timmy Rabitte’s team.
Cork were always in touch, however. Full forward Orla Finn was very lively for them up top while the Ciara O’Sullivan was also buzzing about Donnycarney.
At half-time, the Rebelletes led by two having not really caught fire. It didn’t take them a long to get going in the second.
In fairness, they always looked on the cusp of exploding and seven minutes into the second half, that was exactly what they did. Orla Finn, as she often does, started the move off down the left flank. She ran straight, direct and having spotted the run of Saoirse Noonan, she bounced it right in front of her.
Noonan was thinking at 100 miles a second. Eimear Scally was on the same wavelength.
The flick-on was picked up delightfully before Scally dropped the shoulder and sped off.
A score worthy of winning any game 😍
First the kick-pass with the laces 🤤
The flick on 👌
The pick-up without breaking stride 💯
The score 😱
The @CorkLGFA are on fire @LadiesFootball 🔥pic.twitter.com/z6JHWIFrhC
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) May 5, 2019
Total football from Cork. That’s as good a score as you’re likely to see.
With the dander up, they kicked onto win by two despite a late goal from Louise Ward.
“We’ve an unbelievable panel this year, we’re going from strength to strength,” said captain Orla Finn after the game.
The Rebels have already risen.
