Dublin snatch fourth successive Ladies Football title

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Dublin Snatch Fourth Successive Ladies Football Title
Dublin’s Jennifer Dunne, Carla Rowe and Niamh McEvoy celebrate at the final whistle. Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
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Muireann Duffy

Cork tried their best to put a stop to Dublin's drive for four successive Senior Ladies Football titles with a dominant first half display in Croke Park, but when the blue wave gathered strength in the second half it crashed hard on Cork's earlier efforts.

Ephie Fitzgearld's side made the stronger start, with a goal from Áine O'Sullivan after three minutes setting them well on their way, while Dublin only managed a single point in the opening quarter.

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Cork's threat on goal was ever present, with Dublin's flooding of the half-back line leaving them vulnerable when the ball broke through, quite aside from the Rebels' ability to score from distance.

While Dublin had good movements to find their way up the field, the ease with which Cork overturned and sliced their way through midfield was an issue Mick Bohan's side seemed unable to address in the opening 30 minutes.

The Dubs best chance of clawing back the deficit in the first half came 15 minutes in, when a great run on goal by Noelle Healy, squeezing past the Cork full-back line, ultimately ended in the shot pulling left and wide.

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The half time scoreline of 1-3 to 0-3 did not reflect Cork's true dominance, with two denied goal chances keeping Dublin in contention, allowing for their second half revival.

The tables turned completely in the second half after a penalty for Carla Rowe four minutes in put Dublin ahead for the first time in the game.

Two points separated them at the second half water break but Dublin were showing no signs at that stage of relinquishing their lead and a yellow card for Doireann O'Sullivan sent her to the sin-bin, leaving Cork to finish with just 14.

A disappointing end for Cork, but a well deserved triumph for Dublin, finishing 1-10 to 1-5.

Earlier in the day, Meath put an end to a run of All-Ireland final defeats, seeing off neighbours Westmeath in the Intermediate decider.

Four goals from Westmeath tested the champions resolve, but blistering displays from Emma Duggan and Vikki Wall made it third time's the charm for the Meath ladies, ending 2-17 to 4-5, finally seeing them climb to the senior ranks for 2021.

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