Cork Ladies Footballers Maintain Undefeated Run with Victory Over Armagh
Crossmaglen, Northern Ireland – February 15, 2026 – Cork’s ladies football team secured a hard-fought 2-8 to 1-9 victory over Armagh today at St Oliver Plunkett Park in Crossmaglen, extending their undefeated streak to three games in the Lidl Division 1 League. Second-half goals from Rachel O’Regan and Rachel Leahy proved crucial for the Rebels, who now sit second in the league table. Despite a strong performance from Armagh’s Kelly Mallon, who scored eight points, Cork’s defense and attacking prowess ultimately secured the win. The team now looks ahead to a challenging away game against Kerry next weekend. Aoife Healy was named the pick of the Cork side for her outstanding performance and key role in the goals.
Cork Ladies Footballers Clinch Impressive Victory Over Armagh
A dominant performance by Cork ladies footballers secured a well-deserved 2-8 to 1-9 victory against Armagh at St Oliver Plunkett Park, Crossmaglen, on Sunday. This win solidifies Cork’s position as a formidable force in the Lidl Division 1 Ladies Football League, leaving them undefeated after three games.
Second-Half Goals Prove Decisive
Rachel O’Regan and Rachel Leahy delivered crucial second-half goals that propelled Cork to victory. The team demonstrated resilience and tactical prowess, overcoming a determined Armagh side. This win provides a significant confidence boost as they prepare for a challenging away fixture against Kerry next weekend.
Key Performances Shine for the Rebels
Several Cork players delivered outstanding performances. Katie Quirke and Emma Cleary were instrumental in attack, consistently working hard and providing defensive support. Aimee Corcoran and Shauna Kelly stood out defensively, while Aoife Healy was named the pick of the Cork side, playing a pivotal role in both goals.
Pro Tip: Successful teams often rely on a blend of attacking flair and defensive solidity. Cork’s performance exemplifies this balance, with contributions from players across the field.
First-Half Battle
Kelly Mallon opened the scoring for Armagh with a free in the first minute. Cork responded with Katie Quirke leveling the game after seven minutes, similarly from a free. Abigail Ring then put Cork ahead, followed by Aimee Corcoran extending their lead to 0-3 to 0-1. Armagh fought back with further frees from Mallon, leveling the score at 0-3 each with 23 minutes played.
However, Armagh seized the lead with a surprising goal from corner-back Alana Donnelly, who drove through the Cork defence to find the net. Aine O’Sullivan scored for Cork in the final minute of the first half, leaving the score at 1-3 to 0-4 in favor of Armagh at halftime.
Cork’s Resurgent Second Half
The second half saw Cork regain momentum. Katie Quirke brought the gap to one point, and a block from Dara Kiniry denied Armagh another goal opportunity. Emma Cleary equalized the score at 0-6 to 1-3 after 40 minutes, but Armagh quickly regained the lead through another Mallon free.
Cork then unleashed their attacking power, with Rachel O’Regan scoring a goal to make it 1-6 to 1-4. Despite Ciara Hughes being sin-binned, Cork continued to press, and Rachel Leahy added a second goal, extending their lead to 2-6 to 1-5. Mallon responded with two points for Armagh, but Aimee Corcoran sealed the victory for Cork with a late score.
Scoring Summary
Armagh: K Mallon 0-8 (0-6f, 0-2ptf), A Donnelly 1-0, A McCoy 0-1.
Cork: R O’Regan 1-0, R Leahy 1-0, K Quirke 0-2 (f), A Corcoran 0-2, A O’Sullivan 0-2, A Ring 0-1, E Cleary 0-1.
Team Lineups
Armagh: B Mathers; M Ferguson, C McCambridge, A Donnelly; E Druse, L McConville, R Mulligan; C Towe, G Ferguson; L Marsden, C Marley, L Kavanagh; M Lennon, A McCoy, K Mallon. Subs: T O’Reilly for R Mulligan (20), C O’Hanlon for M Lennon (41), K Shields for C Towe (48), E McGeown for C Marley (55).
Cork: S Murphy; M Duggan, D Kiniry, S Kelly; A Corcoran, S McGoldrick, R Corkery; A Healy, A O’Mahony; R Leahy, G Ní Mhurchú, E Cleary; A Ring, K Quirke, Á O’Sullivan. Subs: L Hallahan for A Ring, Rachel O’Regan for A O’Sullivan, Ciara Hughes for G Ní Mhurchú (all 40).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who was the referee for the match?
A: Gavin Finnegan, Down.
Q: What is Cork’s current league standing?
A: Cork is currently second in the Lidl Division 1 Ladies Football League table.
Q: Who scored the goals for Cork?
A: Rachel O’Regan and Rachel Leahy each scored one goal for Cork.
Did you know? Alana Donnelly, an Armagh corner-back, scored their only goal of the match, showcasing an unexpected attacking threat from the defense.
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