Galway, looked for a long time in the Division 2 Final as if they might pull off a double league victory, but despite getting off to a great it was Cork who stepped up to take the honours.

Full Forward Molly Dunne was galways biggest threat shooting a total of 1-5 of Galways 2-7 tally. Despite a sprightly start for the Galway girls, Cork dominated much of the first half, shooting five scores to Galways three, and a further twelve shots which they failed to convert. Galway found the net minutes after the start when a free from Captain Elaine Tannian was passed short to Centre back Linda Gohery. Linda found club mate Mary Kelly with her long delivery who set up Molly Dunne who goaled for the Galway girls. Cork settled quickly after this initial upset and almost immediately began to dominate at centre back and midfield in the form of Deirdre Cooney and Lynda OConnell. Yet, they were luckless, as their efforts rebounded twice of the woodwork and instead it was Galways Rachelle O Brien who pointed for Galway after a fine individual run. Corks Centre forward Catriona Kelly with a personal tally of 1-6 opened the leesiders tally on the twelveth minute and pointed again minutes later after a foul on wing forward Hazel O Regan. Rachelle OBrien once again broke through the Cork defence and athough her run did break down, a fine ground stroke found its way to the back of the Cork net to give galway a five point advantage. However Galways progress was shortlived as full forward Ellen O Herlihy punished a defensive mix up in the galway goal mouth to bring the margin back to two points. Catriona Kelly continued to dominate at Centre Forward for Cork and pointed again on 15 minutes to close the gap to a minimum. Cork made defensive switches to curb the threat of Rachelle OBrien as Niamh Bowles came to the left wing back position and went on to make some vital interceptions for Cork as the game continued. Galway , struggling to find a way to contain Catriona Kelly substituted Linda Gohery, switching Phyllis Hayes to centre back and introducing Triona Byrne. Kelly in flying form, again converted prior to half time to tie the sides as the first thirty minutes elapsed. The second half saw Galway up the ante, with Molly Dunne leading the way.Now operating on the half forward line, Dunne converted a 45 and another superb personal effort from play. Galway added their third of the half in the form of Captain Elaine Tannian after strong Galway pressure. Dunne and Coughlan traded points to leave Galway ahead by three, when Corks Kingpin Catriona Kelly began the return for Cork . She popped up for her fifth point on nineteen minutes to leave two between the sides as the pressure on the Galway back line began to mount . Substitute Michelle Browne hit the woodwork for the 3 rd time in the hour and it was Catriona Kelly who goaled to take give Cork the lead for the first time in the game. With ten minutes left Molly Dunne pointed two further frees for Galway , but it was Cork that finished stronger dominating the closing stages with points from Emer Friel ( 0-2) Niamh Bowles (0-1) and Catriona Kelly ( 0-1). Galway will rue the defensive errors made, nevertheless Cork dominated this game overall , especially in the central positions creating many more opportunities over the course of the hour. Galway should learn much from this encounter as positioning changes may be needed to the central line of this team for championship success. With many of the Cork team on the verge of senior status Galway will have benefited greatly from the experience of this league encounter. Championship kick starts for Division 2 on Saturday July 9 th where Galway will take on Roscommon in the Connaught Final. Best for Galway were Phyllis Hayes, Rachelle OBrien and top scorer Molly Dunne, while Elaine Burke, Marion Geoghegan, and Therese Manton worked tirelessly for the hour.

Galway: S Dervan;C Gill,E Burke,A Kilkenny;P Hayes, L Gohery, M Geoghegan; T Manton,E Tannion; R O'Brien,C Glynn,C Kelly;Y Donnelly, M Dunne,M Kelly.
Subs: T Byrne for L Gohery, 21mins, C Cormican for Y Donnelly half time, A Hardy for M Kelly 44mins, M Ward for M Geoghegan 55mins.
Scorers: 2-7: M Dunne 1-5, R O'Brien 1-1, E Tannion 0-1.

Cork : F Killeen ; D Hayes,R Holland , Á Kelliher; E O'Sullivan, L O'Connell, N Bowles;D Cooney,O Cotter; H O'Regan,D O'Reilly, O Coughlan; M Coleman, E O'Herlihy, C Deasy.
Scorers: C Kelly 1-6, E O'Herlihy 1-0, E O'Friel 0-2, O Coughlan, N Bowles 0-1 each.

Referee: J Pender, Kildare