Cork manager Shane Ronayne watched his side advance to another TG4 Munster Senior Final against Kerry – but admitted there’s work to do following Sunday’s victory over Waterford.
Holders Cork will pit their wits against Kerry, the Lidl National League Division 1 champions, in what promises to be an intense affair in Mallow on Sunday May 28.
Goals from Doireann O’Sullivan and Laura Fitzgerald, the latter making a big impact off the bench after returning from injury, helped Cork secure a comfortable 2-10 to 0-4 victory over Waterford in Clonakilty.
'We have work to do before the Kerry game'
“Absolutely delighted for Laura, no one knows what she has gone through in the last year,” Ronayne said.
“She was flying it last April and an awkward fall at training injured her knee.
“She came back playing for Mourneabbey, but it just wasn’t right, and she had to have an operation before Christmas and has had to work so, so hard to get back.
“We know we have work to do before the Kerry game but it’s job done today,” Ronayne added.
Kerry, meanwhile, had goals from Danielle O’Leary and Emma Costello as they secured a 2-8 to 1-5 victory against Tipperary in Bansha.
Kingdom joint-manager Declan Quill is anticipating a “massive” Munster Final battle.
He said: “It is going to be a massive battle with Cork. We had a great game with them already and I expect more of the same.
“The season is flowing well now and this is the time of year we really look forward to so roll on the next Kerry and Cork clash in two weeks’ time.”
In Leinster, meanwhile, it will be another Dublin v Meath Final on Sunday May 28, with that fixture set for Laois Hire O’Moore Park.
Meath scored a 0-15 to 0-5 victory over Laois in Portlaoise on Sunday, with Emma Duggan collecting six points for the TG4 All-Ireland champions.
Meath boss Davy Nelson smiled: “Back here in two weeks’ time against the old enemy, so that’s great. You’re looking as ever to try and improve the team and coming off our loss (against Dublin in the round-robin phase) the last day, to put in a good performance today. We hope to go more the next day, it’s great to be in a Leinster final, never underestimate that.
“This one remains a puzzle unsolved (the Leinster SFC title), so you have to get past Dublin to do it and that’s the kind of challenge you want in a Leinster Final.”
In Ulster, holders Armagh and Donegal will renew acquaintances in another Senior Championship Final – and that game will be played in Clones on Sunday May 28.
Armagh defeated Cavan by 8-14 to 2-7 in Clones to ensure progress and the Orchard County will target four-in-a-row.
Aimee Mackin bagged 3-7 to continue her remarkable recent run of form, with captain Kelly Mallon adding 2-4 for the rampant Orchard County in a fixture that served as a curtain-raiser ahead of the men’s Senior Final between Armagh and Derry.
Armagh boss Shane McCormack reflected: “I’m absolutely delighted for the girls.
“This is the stuff that they would have been dreaming about when they were young, playing in front of 20,000 people, which was basically a home crowd, and I’m delighted we were able to put on a show.”
At Intermediate level, a brace of goals from Aisling Hanly helped Roscommon dethrone Leitrim to capture the Connacht title, on a 2-13 to 1-7 scoreline in Kiltoom.
In Leinster, the semi-final pairings for next Sunday, May 21, were also confirmed.
Kildare will take on Louth and Westmeath are the hosts against Wexford, following the conclusion of the round-robin stages.
In Ulster, Tyrone gained the psychological edge over Antrim ahead of their Ulster Intermediate Final in Clones on May 28.
The Red Hands got the better of the hosts on a 2-15 to 4-7 scoreline at Davitt Park.
In the Munster Senior B Championship, Clare and Limerick played out a draw, with Clare registering 1-7 to Limerick’s 0-10.
And the Ulster Junior Final, to be played on May 27, will be contested by Fermanagh and Down.
Fermanagh booked their place in the Final with a 3-10 to 1-10 victory over Derry on Friday evening.
RESULTS:
TG4 Connacht Intermediate Championship FINAL
Roscommon 2-13 Leitrim 1-7
TG4 Leinster Senior Championship
Laois 0-5 Meath 0-15
TG4 Leinster Intermediate Championship
Group A
Longford 1-11 Carlow 0-8
Wexford 2-9 Kildare 5-8
Group B
Louth 1-11 Westmeath 3-17
Wicklow 2-11 Offaly 1-11
TG4 Munster Senior Championship
Cork 2-10 Waterford 0-4
Tipperary 1-5 Kerry 2-8
Munster Senior B
Clare 1-7 Limerick 0-10
TG4 Ulster Senior Championship
Cavan 8-14 Armagh 2-7
TG4 Ulster Intermediate Championship
Antrim 4-7 Tyrone 2-15
TG4 Ulster Junior Championship
Derry 1-10 Fermanagh 3-10
See Also: Peter Canavan Feels Armagh Will Have One Big Regret From Ulster Final Loss
