Kerry 2-9
Waterford 1-11

by Dan Kearney

Kerry were crowned TG4 Munster SFC for the third year in succession after a hard fought one point victory over a spirited Waterford at Kilmallock GAA grounds.

In many ways Kerry had to be extremely thankful to the brilliance of goalkeeper Mary Ellen Bolger who saved from point black at the death to deny Laura Cusack what surely would have been the winning goal.

A hugely entertaining first half saw the sides share three goals in a whirlwind opening 30 minutes.

Niamh Carmody and Karen McGrath shared early scores before the first goal of the game arrived in the third minute after a lightning Kerry move involving Carmody and Niamh Ní Chonchuir saw Leah McMahon palm to the back of the Waterford net.

KellyAnn Hogan replied with a free but then in the eighth minute came Waterford’s opening goal when Katie Murray finished to the back of the net after a brilliant run and pass from Aine O’Neill.

We didn’t have to wait long for Kerry’s second goal, and it came in the tenth minute after a brilliant move involving Anna Galvin and Mary O’Connell who passed across goal and Emma Costello raced in to volley past Katelyn Gardner.

Hogan replied with a point for Waterford but Bolger had to save from Clare Walsh, but frees from Hogan and a Brid McMaugh special from down town pushed Waterford 1-6 to 2-1 ahead.

Siofra O’Shea got three on the bounce for the winners (2 frees), Hogan replied from a free after a Kerry breach, and with Kerry’s Jadyn Lucey (free) and Lauren McGregor trading scores, the sides went in level at half time, 2-5 to 1-8.

Bolger was forced into a superb block from Emma Murray three minutes into the second half before Murray and O’Shea (free) traded scores. McGregor had a chance of a goal but shot straight at Bolgerbut Katie Murray did reply to push the Déise one ahead, 2-5 to 1-9.

O’Shea levelled matters with a free but Katie Murray raised another white flag for Waterford. Drama followed when Kerry’s Niamh Carmody was sent to the bin but it was the winners Roisin Rahilly that scored a neat point although McMaugh did reply straight afterwards.

Aishling O’Connell was denied a goal for a small square infringement, but Siofra O’Shea wasn’t to be denied when she slotted over to level the contest.

With both sides looking for a winner it was Kerry that came up trumps when substitute Danielle O’Leary slotted over, although the winners will be thankful to Bolger who saved them with her last ditch wonder save.

As Munster champions Kerry now go into Group 2 of the All-Ireland series with Kildare and Tipperary whilst Waterford go into Group 1 and will face Armagh and Cork.

Scorers – Kerry: S O’Shea 0-5 (3f), L McMahon 1-0, E Costello 1-0, J Lucey 0-1f, N Carmody 0-1, R Rahilly 0-1, D O’Leary 0-1.

Waterford: KA Hogan 0-5 (4f), K Murray 1-1, B McMaugh 0-2, K McGrath 0-1, L McGregor 0-1, E Murray 0-1.

KERRY: M E Bolger; R Rahilly, D Kearney, E Lynch; A O’Connell, E Costello, A Dillane; A Galvin, M O’Connell; N Carmody, N Ní Chonchúir, C Evans; J Lucey, L McMahon, S O’Shea. Subs: D O’Leary for J Lucey (ht), E McGlynn for L McMahon (51).

WATERFORD: K Gardner; C Murray, L Mulcahy, R Browne; C Walsh, R Casey, K McGrath; E Murray  E Power; Á O’Neill, K Hogan, K Murray; M Daly, B McMaugh, L McGregor. Subs: C Fennell for M Daly (49), L Ní Harta for E Power (56), L Cusack for A O’Neill (60).

Referee: Conor McCarthy (Cork).

Tweet

Most Read Stories