Ladies: Kerry edge Meath in Tralee for Division 1 final berth
March 22, 2025
Niamh Carmody of Kerry kicks a point despite the efforts of Meath's Amy Gaffney during the Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 Round 6 clash at Austin Stack Park in Tralee, Kerry. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Kerry 0-13
Meath 1-8
by Dan Kearney
Kerry are through to their third Lidl National League Division 1 final on the trot after an exciting two point victory over a well drilled Meath at Austin Stack Park.
Playing with a strong breeze in the opening half, Kerry took a 0-6 to 0-2 lead in at the break.
It was Meath who were first off the mark however when Niamh Gallogly slotted over after a bout of good patient play from the visitors.
Kerry then had a goal chance in the seventh minute when Mary O’Connell picked up a kick out, but Jadyn Lucey shot straight at Robyn Murray with the goal at her mercy.
Siofra O’Shea got Kerry’s first from a free two minutes later but in the 12th minute Danielle O’Leary had a goal ruled out for a square ball after Niamh Ní Chonchúir’s shot for a point fell short.
41 nóim #KERvMTH@kerryladiesfoot 0-08 (8)@meathladiesMLGF 1-07 (10)
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) March 22, 2025
Cúl! An-phas isteach agus críochnaithe go slachtmhar ag Meadhbh Byrne! 🤯
Byrne with an all-important goal to put Meath ahead!
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Both sides were guilty of some basic errors but Meath, with Vikki Wall a major influence, took the lead in the 15th minute when Emma Duggan slotted over.
Murray then made a brilliant save in the Meath goal from Niamh Carmody although O’Leary pointed soon afterwards to level up the game at 0-2 apiece.
From here on the rest of the half belonged to Kerry as they found their rhythm and scores from Carmody, a fine individual point from Aishling O’Connell and two frees from O’Shea saw the hosts take a four point lead in at the break.
Kerry started the second half like they meant business with scores from Anna Galvin and Carmody and Robin Murray was forced into another fine save, this time from O’Shea,
Then Meath took control, scoring 1-5 in a nine minute spell with Meadhbh Byrne hitting a brilliant goal in the 42nd minute. Byrne saw yellow two minutes later and her loss hurt Meath.
Rachel Dwyer struck a super point for Kerry off the bench and O’Shea struck for three to nudge Kerry 0-11 to 1-8 ahead with six minutes left on the clock.
60 nóim #KERvMTH@kerryladiesfoot 0-13 (13)@meathladiesMLGF 1-08 (11)
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) March 22, 2025
An scór ciniúnach faighte ag Rachel Dwyer do Chiarraí!
Kerry finish the game very strongly to secure the win.
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The large crowd were really involved now, and O’Shea pointed another free for Kerry and then Dwyer struck for her second to seal the Kerry victory after a very exciting second half.
Scorers – Kerry: S O’Shea 0-6 (5f), N Carmody 0-2, R Dwyer 0-2, D O’Leary 0-1, A O’Connell 0-1, A Galvin 0-1.
Meath: E Duggan 0-5 (2f), M Byrne 1-1, N Gallogly 0-1. C Smyth 0-1.
Kerry: ME Bolger; E Lynch, D Kearney, R Rahilly; K Cronin, A O’Connell, A Dillane; M O’Connell, A Galvin (capt.); C Evans, N Ní Chonchúir, N Carmody; J Lucey, S O’Shea, D O’Leary. Subs: R Dwyer for J Lucey 47, C McCarthy for A Dillane 55, L Boyle for C Evans 58.J Curtin for N Carmody 59.
Meath: R Murray; A Sheridan, S Wall, A Gaffney; K Newe, MK Lynch (capt.), C Millington; N Gallogly, E Moyles; M Thynne, O Sheehy C Smyth; M Byrne, V Wall, E Duggan. Subs: M Farrelly for E Moyles 21, K Kealy for C Millington 34, N Troy for A Gaffney 48, M Collins for K Newe 55.
Referee: Shane Curley (Galway).
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