Deadly Dineen downs the Dubs
Title-holders Kerry get off to a flier as they exact revenge for All-Ireland final defeat
EMMA DINEEN struck 1-3 last night as Kerry won the battle of the champions in the opening round of the new Lidl National Football League Division 1. Whereas Kerry got the better of Galway to claim NFL honours at Croke Park last April, Dublin recorded a 0-18 to 1-10 win at the Kingdom’s expense four months later to reclaim All-Ireland glory. Although it doesn’t necessarily make amends for their defeat in the latter game, Kerry will undoubtedly take great confidence from this victory as they look to defend their league title.
In their first clash since that AllIreland final, Kerry squeezed in front with a point from Jadyn Lucey after just 27 seconds. The Jackies welcomed Olwen Carey back following a two-season absence, but even though they created a number of scoring chances early on, Katie Brosnan doubled the Kingdom’s lead on seven minutes.
Dineen also found the range on 15 minutes to offer her side further breathing room and while Dublin finally opened their account with a point from Martha Byrne six minutes into the play, this was immediately cancelled out by Lucey’s second of the half.
Kerry had a let-off when Dublin full-forward Niamh Hetherton subsequently fired wide off a goalscoring opportunity, but a second point from Dineen had her side 0-5 to 0-1 up at the interval.
In a bid to eat into their deficit, Dublin (who had eight starters from the 2023 Brendan Martin Cup showpiece, as opposed to five from Kerry) introduced team captain Carla Rowe and Kate Murray on the resumption. However, after Dineen and Hetherton swapped points in the third-quarter, the Kingdom’s own substitute Hannah O’Donoghue released Dineen for a palmed goal off a quick break in the 41st minute.
This was followed by a brace of points from new skipper Niamh Carmody to leave Kerry nine points to the good with just 13 minutes remaining, before Dublin finally developed a purple patch that yielded scores from Hetherton, Rowe (free) and Murray.
This left Mick Bohan’s charges with a fighting chance of getting something out of the game, but even though Murray added a second point, Kerry had already done enough to claim maximum points.
Meanwhile, it will be a much changed Cork – with an influx of youth - who take on Galway in their league opener today.
Experienced forward Doireann O’Sullivan will not be involved this season while her sister Ciara and Róisín Phelan, two other seasoned stars, are taking a break and will miss the campaign.
Goalkeeper Meabh O’Sullivan and defender Eimear Meaney are both travelling, while Laura Fitzgerald and Bríd O’Sullivan have stepped away from the Cork setup. Galway begin life under new manager Daniel Moynihan without the services of forward Tracey Leonard who has confirmed her inter-county retirement.
Ailbhe Davoren, who plays her club football in Dublin with Kilmacud Crokes, will captain the Tribeswomen from centre half forward.
Mayo begin life under Liam McHale on his home soil in Ballina as Meath make the trip west for an attractive opening round tie.
Saoirse Lally will captain the green and red from full-back with veteran star Fiona McHale listed at centre forward for the home side.
Mayo reached the TG4 All-Ireland semi-final last year and will be hoping for another good run in 2024 with Meath aiming to recapture the glory days of 2021 and 2022 when they captured back to back All-Ireland titles.
Shane McCormack is the new man at the helm in the Royal County and he’ll be anxious to make the visit to Mayo a winning one.
There’s plenty of experience in the Meath starting line-up, and on the bench, with the likes of Emma Duggan and former skipper Shauna Ennis to call upon.
Former All-Star goalkeeper Monica McGuirk will captain the Meath team for the 2024 season.
Armagh are back in the top flight and with a new manager at the helm in Gregory McGonigle, a vastly-experienced supremo.
McGonigle has previously managed Monaghan and Dublin at inter-county level, and he guided Armagh outfit Clann Éireann to a historic Ulster senior club title last year.
Armagh were without injured forward ace Aimee Mackin when they crashed out of the All-Ireland championship at the quarter-final stage last year but she’s back and named in the full-forward line for this Crossmaglen clash.
Clodagh McCambridge will captain Armagh from full-back and a strong Orchard County line-up also includes experienced midfielder Caroline O’Hanlon.
Visitors Waterford have named Kellyann Hogan as captain for 2024 and the Déise will be looking to pick up some points and again stave off the threat of relegation in a highly-competitive top flight.
Waterford performed well in the 2023 league but they’ll need to work hard again this season to stay afloat. The four Murray sisters from Comeragh Rangers are named in Pat Sullivan’s starting line-up as both sides begin their 2024 seasons.
‘MAYO BEGIN LIFE UNDER LIAM McHALE AT HOME TO MEATH’