Kerry vs Waterford

Match Report

By Anthony Newman
Kerry 2-9
Waterford 1-11
Kerry made it three in-a-row in the TG4 Munster Senior Ladies football championship after a hard-fought win over Waterford at Kilmallock on Sunday.
Just like last year there was nothing between the sides all through and it took a late Danielle O’Leary point for Kerry to see them emerge as winners.
A key period of the game came in the second half when Kerry were down to 14 after Niamh Carmody was sin-binned after 45 minutes.
But in the 10 minutes she was off the pitch Kerry outscored Waterford by two points to one, as the Deise failed to take advantage of the extra player.
Niamh Carmody put Kerry ahead in the first minute, with Karen McGrath replying for Waterford from their next attack.
With three minutes gone Kerry got the game’s opening goal, when Niamh Ni Chonchuir set up Leah McMahon to score, making it 1-1 to 0-1.
Kellyann Hogan pulled a point back for Waterford, before they raised a green flag.
Áine O’Neill played Katie Murray in to put her side in front, 1-2 to 1-1.
But that lead didn’t last long as with 10 minutes gone Kerry got their second goal of the half.
A mis-hit pass was pounced on by Emma Costello who volleyed the ball to the back of the net, catching the Waterford defence by surprise.
Credit to Waterford they responded in style, with Hogan hitting three in-a-row and Brid McMaugh adding another, to put them 1-6 to 2-1 in front.
Siofra O’Shea pointed from a free for Kerry and she added a second from play to level it.
With 25 minutes gone O’Shea scored again to put Kerry back in front, 2-4 to 1-6.
Waterford were back on level terms when Hogan pointed from a free after a Kerry breach.
Jadyn Lucey put the Kingdom back on front, but just before half time Lauren McGregor scored to see the sides level at break, 2-5 to 1-8.
Three minutes into the second half and it took a great save from Mary Ellen Bolger in the Kerry goal to deny Emma Murray a goal.
This was just one of several key saves she made, which saw her named as Player of the Game.
Emma Murray did get the first point of the half, with O’Shea replying at the other end.
Again, Bolger came to her side’s rescue, this time denying Lauren McGregor, to see it stay 2-6 to 1-9 after 43 minutes.
Áine O’Neill pointed for Waterford before Carmody was sin-binned.
Roisin Rahilly had Kerry back on level terms, with McMaugh scoring for Waterford.
O’Shea was on target for Kerry to level it again, before Carmody returned to the pitch, 2-8 to 1-11.
With only minutes remaining O’Leary put her side in front and late on Bolger made another save to see her side retain their title and break Waterford’s hearts again.
Scorers for Kerry: L McMahon, E Costello 1-0 each, S O’Shea 0-5 (3f), J Lucey (f), N Carmody, R Rahilly, D O’Leary 0-1 each.
Waterford: K Murray 1-0, K Hogan 0-5 (4f), B McMaugh 0-2, K McGrath, L McGregor, E Murray, A O’Neill 0-1 each.
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 (50).
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 (48), L Ni Harta for E Power (55), L Cusack for A O’Neill (60).
Referee: Conor McCarthy, Cork.