Gaelic Games

Dramatic comeback helps holders Cork defeat Dublin to advance to the last four

Kerry pip Mayo in second enthralling quarter-final at Birr

Cork’s Doireann O’Sullivan and Orlagh Farmer celebrate after the final whistle following victory over Dublin at Birr. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/Inpho
Cork’s Doireann O’Sullivan and Orlagh Farmer celebrate after the final whistle following victory over Dublin at Birr. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/Inpho
Sun Aug 25 2013 - 16:25

Eamonn Ryan's Cork produced a remarkable comeback to defeat Dublin 1-19 to 2-12 on Saturday in Birr and book their place in the semi-finals of the TG4 All-Ireland ladies senior football championship.

Goals from Lindsey Davey and Lindsey Peat had Dublin on course for victory in the second half as they led by 2-12 to 0-9 but after Sineadn Aherne popped over a point to put the Sky Blues nine points in front, they failed to score again.

Instead, All-Ireland champions Cork hit 1-10 without reply in the final 20 minutes to clinch a sensational four-point win.

Dublin, who led 1-8 to 0-7 at half-time, and who had not played a game since the Leinster final six weeks previously, ran out of steam as Cork came on strong.

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Powered forward by player of the match Juliet Murphy, the beaten Munster finalists grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. Points from top scorer Valerie Mulcahy, hard-working forward Nollaig Cleary and Murphy got the ball rolling for Cork before sub Rhona Ní Bhuachalla banged home a 44th minute goal.

Two further points from Mulcahy (one free) and Nollaig Cleary hauled Cork level at 1-15 to 2-12 and they kicked for home with further points from Mulcahy, superb wing-back Geraldine O’Flynn, Mulcahy again and Ciara O’Sullivan.

Kerry edged past Mayo 2-14 to 2-23 in a gripping quarter-final clash. The Kingdom needed three late points to earn a victory against a Mayo side inspired by Cora Staunton. The ace forward scored 1-9, a tally matched by Kerry's Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh, in a memorable tie.

Mayo led 2-13 to 2-11 with ten minutes remaining but but late scores from player of the match Ní Mhuircheartaigh, sub Margaret Fitzgerald and Louise Galvin snatched a sensational win for the Munster champions.