By DAIRE WALSH 

In the days that followed their final success over Galway at Croke Park on Sunday, August 4, Anna Galvin and her Kingdom colleagues were able to get a full sense of what winning this year’s TG4 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship has truly meant to the people of Kerry.

The day after ending their 31-year wait to collect the Brendan Martin Cup for the 12th time, the Kerry squad embarked on a prolonged tour of the Kingdom’s various towns, villages and clubs. The likes of Knocknagoshel (home of veteran midfielder Lorraine Scanlon), Castleisland and Killarney were amongst the spots that the team called to at the beginning of the week, but it was never going to be possible to fit every place into a single journey.

Following a trip to North Kerry on Tuesday to give winning captain Niamh Carmody of Finuge/St Senan’s a fitting homecoming, the squad eventually found themselves passing through a number of locations in West Kerry on Wednesday. It is the Thursday afternoon after the All-Ireland when we catch up with Galvin, who has been blown away by the reception the players have received throughout their tour of the county.

“We were a little bit taken aback as to how many people were actually turning out in every single spot. It was unbelievable and people are so happy for us. It has just been class. As you can probably tell, our voices are gone from all the chatting and all the shouting all week, and our hands are sore from the signing of jerseys!” acknowledged Galvin, who played the full 60 minutes at midfield in Kerry’s All-Ireland triumph.

“We were here (West Kerry) last night and we were just walking up the street there this morning and we were like ‘lads, it’s surreal!’ We did a lap of the town with a pipe band last night. It’s just mad to think that all this stuff is being done for us. It has been super, a super couple of days.”

A panellist when they lost to Cork in the All-Ireland senior football decider of 2012, Galvin had plenty of set-backs in the green and gold of Kerry before she captained them to a Brendan Martin Cup final appearance against Meath 10 years later.

Their reversal in that 2022 showpiece to the Royals and at the hands of Dublin 12 months later led to some doubts as to whether Galvin and senior squad members such as Scanlon, Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh and Cáit Lynch were ever going to get their moment in the sun. Yet the promised land was finally reached last Sunday week when the Kingdom overcame Galway on a score of 3-14 to 0-11 and the closing minutes of the contest will live long in Galvin’s memory.

“There was plenty of days where we had to do an awful lot of soul searching and it’s just so, so lovely not to have to do that this time around. It was always this thing that was kind of hanging over us. ‘We want to win an All-Ireland, we want to win an All-Ireland’.

“I think for me, the third goal went in and I put my hands in the air, and I nearly started crying on the field. I was like ‘this is it, oh my God’ and I was like ‘get yourself together Anna, there’s still another five minutes left in this game!’ Then Louise came off the field to rapturous applause in Croke Park and I was like ‘ah, this is what dreams are made of’.”

As well as the players themselves, this year’s All-Ireland success feels like just reward for the joint management team of Declan Quill and Darragh Long. Having initially joined as selectors for the latter stages of the 2019 season, this dynamic pair assumed the reins of the Kerry senior side at the end of that year and helped to re-establish the Kingdom as a genuine force in ladies football.

Their All-Ireland final loss to Dublin in 2023 was a tough one to take, but a number of players subsequently set about convincing Quill and Long to stay on for the 2024 league and championship – a move that ultimately paid rich dividends.

“I’m so, so glad that they did stay on. We kind of felt like there was definitely unfinished business there and I remember when we met them. It’s funny, there was a couple of us met and we were all chatting away for a while.

“We were chatting away for maybe 15, 20 minutes. Catching up, just being like ‘ah yeah, how’s things?’ Then the table kind of fell silent and it was like ‘right there lads, down to business, we all know why we’re here!’

“We had to say ‘look, all cards on the table, everyone is going to have to give it their all from management side, from our side. Where were our missing pieces? We need to be able to make sure we’re able to fill those gaps this year.’ Then we were kind of saying ‘okay, look, we can fill these gaps and we can go again. We’ll just go one more’.”

While it won’t be at the forefront of her mind for the next few months – her club commitments to Southern Gaels and her job as an occupational therapist at University Hospital Limerick will take precedence for the remainder of the year – Galvin and Kerry will return to inter-county action for 2025 as defending All-Ireland champions. This is set to be unfamiliar territory for the Kingdom, but Galvin is excited by the prospect of them having less pressure on their shoulders for once.

“It’s just a little bit of a weight off and the team will be able to regroup and we’ll come together and start fresh. There’ll be maybe a little bit more freedom and a little bit less pressure. That’s lovely as well,” Galvin added.

“It’s just nice to be able to, not that we didn’t enjoy it, but you’re a little bit stressed because you’re like ‘okay, we really have to do it this year’. There is that pressure on, whereas that will be gone for whoever of us go back. It’s going to be nice.”

Corrib Oil Senior Club League Finals

Monday 12^th August

Division 1

Rathmore -v- Southern Gaels – Fitzgerald Stadium – 7:30pm. Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/corrib-oil-senior-ladies-club-league-final-division-1-tickets-WZCB52?fbclid=IwY2xjawEkLeRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHS9nJNeVbZqEMSyAgPqgX_dJvE5JGe8AqsMjIzP6XNHDfpK5-x36o09w2Q_aem_QAIZkAq_WlKABHfOs0hkWg

Division 2

Castleisland Desmonds -v- Beaufort – Austin Stack Park – 8:00pm Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/corrib-oil-senior-ladies-club-league-final-division-26-tickets-JRV2X5?fbclid=IwY2xjawEkLhtleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHU29GNXNWwFe-3tEhPVTWtIDzQD8YLM8VqgwygWgos2U1M6WxjAUIensTA_aem_RVrFh6LNXhFU5Gf-x7hhPQ

Division 3

Corca Dhuibhne -v- Cromane – Keel – 7:00pm Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/corrib-oil-senior-ladies-club-league-final-division-3-tickets-GYSXVW?fbclid=IwY2xjawEkUQBleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZYWr5A4Wo714lmzJduP1Oxkr-fRbTxW20HorwrASbnDS-E-pP0SglrAKg_aem_BYt8pZHbxH46NXLPVD-HeA

Division 5

Firies -v- Cloumacon/Moyvane – Connolly Park – 7:30pm. Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/corrib-oil-senior-ladies-club-league-final-division-5-tickets-56JP8K?fbclid=IwY2xjawEkLlNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHeLYwVNynZwCDeaeTFpjzxLrVxdOErPCl-WdWtxaF85b9X79GQyVDl6wlw_aem_iglUdAYZfNbvq5NqAG42Pw

Division 6

Ballymacelligott -v- Kerins O’Rahillys – Austin Stack Park – 6:30pm. Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/corrib-oil-senior-ladies-club-league-final-division-26-tickets-JRV2X5?fbclid=IwY2xjawEkLhtleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHU29GNXNWwFe-3tEhPVTWtIDzQD8YLM8VqgwygWgos2U1M6WxjAUIensTA_aem_RVrFh6LNXhFU5Gf-x7hhPQ

Division 8

Beale -v- Dainegan Uí Chúis – Milltown – 7:30pm. Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/corrib-oil-senior-ladies-club-league-final-division-8-tickets-B97WTD?fbclid=IwY2xjawEkLn1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVlcwAqmY-osyvcxyBmiA4gvBOezuqkx_yInJZayns6pI578c8HiGxg3Iw_aem_2vRBhnSczCEL5Q08OVqujg

Official Homecoming Reception

Come celebrate and congratulate the team and management

Welcome home reception will take place in Glebe Car Park Killarney this evening at 7:30pm

There will be live entertainment from 6pm .

Autograph books will be on sale for €5

Supporters Jersey on sale

Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Please cooperate with the stewards on the day

A big thank you to all the businesses who contributed to a successful Breakfast morning on Wednesday. To the The Rose Hotel for the exceptional service and to MC Tim Moynihan and guests who entertained our supporters ahead of the All Ireland Final on Sunday #wearekerry #getbehindthefight #LGFA50 #properfan #GALVKER

Hotel Killarney

O’ Shea’s Veterinary Clinic, Caragh lake

Dromhall Hotel

Acme Blinds

Temmler

Lee Strand

Meadowlands    

MWP

Keane’s Centra Farranfore

O’Flynns Centra Listowel

Safety Matters

Minister Norma Foley

Dr. Crokes LGFA

tli

Freeman Electrical

Platinum Engineering

Siobhan Leen Catering

Sean O’Sullivan Accountants

Lynch’s Pharmacy Castleisland

Flesk Meat

John Lanes and Sons

Believe Fit Boutique Gym Killarney

The Rose Hotel

All Real Nutrition

TG4 All Ireland Senior Championship Final

Galway -v- Kerry

Sunday 4^th August – 4:15pm

Croke Park, Dublin

1. Ciara Butler / Ciara de Buitléir – Castlegregory

2. Eilís Lynch / Eilís Ní Loinsigh – Castleisland Desmonds

3. Kayleigh Cronin / Kayleigh Ní Chróinín – Dr Crokes

4. Ciara Murphy / Ciara Ní Mhurchú – MKL Gaels

5. Aishling O’Connell / Aishling Ní Chonaill – Scartaglen

6. Deirdre Kearney / Deirdre Ní Chearna – Na Gaeil

7. Aoife Dillane / Aoife Ní Dhuilleáin – Austin Stacks

8. Mary O’Connell / Mary Ní Chonaill – Na Gaeil

9. Anna Galvin / Anna Ní Ghealbháin – Southern Gaels

10. Niamh Carmody / Niamh Ní Chearmada – Finuge/St Senans (C)

11. Niamh Ní Chonchúir  / Niamh Ní Chonchúir – Corca Dhuibhne

12. Síofra O’Shea / Síofra Ní Shé – Southern Gaels

13. Danielle O’Leary / Danielle Ní Laoghaire – Rathmore

14. Emma Dineen / Emma Ní Dhuinnín – Glenflesk

15. Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh / Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh – Corca Dhuibhne

16. Mary Ellen Bolger / Mary Ellen Bholghuidhir   – Southern Gaels

17. Lorraine Scanlon / Lorraine Ní Scanláin – Castleisland Desmonds

18. Hannah O’Donoghue / Hannah Nic Dhonnacha – Beaufort

19. Katie Brosnan / Cáit Ní Bhrosnacháin –  Firies

20. Fay O’Donoghue / Fay Nic Dhonnchadha – Beaufort

21. Kate O’Sullivan / Cáit Ní Shúilleabháin – Daingean Uí Chúis

22. Eilís O’Connor / Eilís Ní Chonchúir – Na Gaeil

23. Amy Harrington / Amy Ní Harrachtáin – Inbheir Scéine Gaels

24. Ciara McCarthy / Ciara Nic Cárthaigh – Abbeydorney

25. Bríd O’Connor / Bríd Ní Chonchúir – Na Gaeil

26. Jadyn Lucey / Jadyn Ní Luasaigh – Na Gaeil

27. Róisín Smith / Róisín Ní Ghabhann – Cromane

28. Jess Gill / Jess Gill – Southern Gaels

29. Ciara O’Brien / Ciara Ní Bhriain – Laune Rangers

30. Cáit Lynch / Cáit Ní Loinsigh – Castleisland Desmonds

TG4 All Ireland Senior Championship Semi Final

Kerry -v- Armagh

Saturday 20th July 2024 – Throw in: 7:15pm

1. Ciara Butler / Ciara de Buitléir – Castlegregory

2. Eilís Lynch / Eilís Ní Loinsigh     – Castleisland Desmonds

3. Kayleigh Cronin / Kayleigh Ní Chróinín – Dr Crokes

4. Ciara Murphy / Ciara Ní Mhurchú – MKL Gaels

5. Aishling O’Connell / Aishling Ní Chonaill – Scartaglen

6. Deirdre Kearney / Deirdre Ní Chearna – Na Gaeil

7. Aoife Dillane / Aoife Ní Dhuilleáin – Austin Stacks

8. Mary O’Connell / Mary Ní Chonaill – Na Gaeil

9. Anna Galvin / Anna Ní Ghealbháin – Southern Gaels

10. Niamh Carmody / Niamh Ní Chearmada – Finuge/St Senans (C)

11. Danielle O’Leary / Danielle Ní Laoghaire – Rathmore

12. Niamh Ní Chonchúir  / Niamh Ní Chonchúir – Corca Dhuibhne

13. Hannah O’Donoghue / Hannah Nic Dhonnacha – Beaufort

14. Emma Dineen / Emma Ní Dhuinnín – Glenflesk

15. Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh / Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh – Corca Dhuibhne

16. Mary Ellen Bolger / Mary Ellen Bholghuidhir – Southern Gaels

17. Síofra O’Shea / Síofra Ní Shé – Southern Gaels

18. Lorraine Scanlon / Lorraine Ní Scanláin – Castleisland Desmonds

19. Fay O’Donoghue / Fay Nic Dhonnchadha – Beaufort

20. Katie Brosnan / Cáit Ní Bhrosnacháin – Firies

21. Kate O’Sullivan / Cáit Ní Shúilleabháin – Daingean Uí Chuis

22. Ciara McCarthy / Ciara Nic Cárthaigh – Abbeydorney

23. Amy Harrington / Amy Ní Harrachtáin – Inbheir Scéine Gaels

24. Eilís O’Connor / Eilís Ní Chonchúir – Na Gaeil

25. Jadyn Lucey / Jadyn Ní Luasaigh – Na Gaeil

26. Bríd O’Connor / Bríd Ní Chonchúir – Na Gaeil

27. Jess Gill / Jess Gill – Southern Gaels

28. Róisín Smith / Róisín Ní Ghabhann – Cromane

29. Melanie Higgins / Melanie Ní hUigín  – Abbeydorney

30. Cáit Lynch / Cáit Ní Loinsigh  – Castleisland Desmonds