Cork romp to National League Title Suzuki Ladies NFL Division 1 Final: Cork V Kerry Cork 6-13 Kerry 2-10 Cork are National League champions for the third time in four seasons after an impressive 15 point win over their Munster rivals Kerry at a game played in sunsplashed Cusack Park. The result was never in doubt once Cork got off to a flyer in the opening quarter as all Star forward Valerie Murphy from the Rockbawn club goaled with a cracking left footed finish from an acute angle. The experienced Cork side were dominant in the early stages with Juliet Murphy of Donoghmore driving the team forward from midfield. Cork were 2-4 to 0-1 in front after 18 minutes when Deirdre O'Reilly hammered home to the net after a sweet Cork passing move. The Cork full-forward line were running riot and a third goal followed soon after when TG4's player of Amy O'Shea clinically finished to the net from close range. After a tentative start the youthful Kerry team began to settle into the game. Minor star Louise Ni Mhuirceartaigh goaled after 21 minutes and soon after sub Aoife O'Sullivan shot was deflected to the net after a neat passing move. Laura McMahon immediately responded with a goal for Cork however and at half time Cork led 4-5 to 2-3. The goalfest continued after the break as Amy O'Shea notched her second goal of the game after two minutes and when points followed from Juliet and Valerie Murphy the contest was effectively over with the score 5-7 to 2-4. Kerry refused to yield though and picked off four unanswered points (three from the impressive Aoife O'Sullivan). The fast paced open nature of the contest continued as sub Brid Corkery goaled for Cork on 14 minutes. Cork were dominating possession and their full forward line duly punished the Kerry defence with further points from Valerie Murphy and Nuala Cleary. Further out the field Laura McMahon and Juliet Murphy put in sterling performances. Kerry kept battling away with Mairead Finnegan performing well in defence and evergreen Geraldine O'Shea notching a couple of points from frees. Yesterday's result is an ominous warning to all sides as the Rebelettes eye up a fourth all Ireland success under new manager James McAvoy. Kerry manager Robbie Griffin has six days to restore morale to his Kerry side as their Munster camapiagn kicks off against Waterford in six days time. Scorers Cork: Amy O'Shea 2-1, Valerie Murphy 1-4, Laura McMahon 1-1, Deirdre O'Reilly 1-1, B Corkery 1-0, Nuala Cleary 0-3, Juliet Murphy 0-2, M O'Connor 0-1. Kerry: Aoife O'Sullivan 1-5, Louise Ni Mhuirceartaigh 1-0, Geraldine O'Shea 0-3, Patrice Dennehy 0-1, Ciara O'Sullivan 0-1 Cork: E Harte, C Walsh, A Walsh (c), R Buckley, S O'Reilly, B Stack, G O'Flynn, J Murphy, B Corkery, N Cleary, L McMahon, A Murphy, V Mulcahy, A O'Shea, D O'Reilly. Kerry: L O'Driscoll, M Finnegan, G Ni Fhlatharta, K Gleeson, C Buckley, C Kelly, B Cronin M O'Donoghue, B Breen, C O'Sullivan, P Dennehy, S Houlihan , L Mhuirtceartaigh, D Murphy, G O'Se (c) In the Division 2 decider played in the glorious sunshine Clare took advantage of the home support as they edged out Donegal by 2-10 to 0-15. Majella Griffin led the way up front for the Banner with a tour de force performance as she chipped in with seven points. It was her attempted point effort that fortuitously hit the post and fell into the hands of Emir Considine in the 12th minute who bagged her side's opening goal from the edge of the square. Aine Kelly was getting through an amount of work as Clare opened up a 1-3 to 0-3 lead inside the opening quarter. Brigid Gallagher foraged hard all afternoon for the losers (finishing with seven points) and helped keep her side in touch before they were dealt another body blow in the 24th minute as Aine Kelly cut in along the end line to drill low to the net to put Clare 2-4 to 0-3 ahead. Donegal did well to reel back in the leaders as a brace of points from Gallacher and Roisin Doherty left it delicately poised at the break 2-5 to 0-8. The second half was nip and tuck and despite a resurgent Donegal side eating away at the home side's lead with points from Brigid Gallagher and Karen Guthrie they just came up sort at the game's end. Tweet

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