Goals help U-14 girls beat Cork in Munster LADIES GAA

MUNSTER U-14 ‘A’ CHAMPIONSHIP

Kerry 4-8 Cork 0-11

THE Kerry U-14 girls proved much too strong for a disappointing Cork outfit in the Munster U-14 A championship game played in Ballyvourney last Saturday. Kerry were much the better side throughout the contest and but for a brief spell dominated their opponents in every line of the field.

Reigning Munster champions Kerry got off to a great start when Paris McCarthy goaled in the first minute. Lively half forward Keri Ann Hanrahan followed up with the first of her three points from play a minute later as McCarthy and Rachel Dwyer ruled the roost around the middle of the field.

Cork were wasteful in possession and Grainne Murphy kicked two wides in a row before Kerry struck for their second goal of the game when Maura O’Keeffe hit the back of the net after a good run and pass from Rachel Dwyer. Cork did score 2 points in a row from Ciara Murphy, one after a good finger tip save from Kerry goalkeeper Ciara Butler but Kerry responded with 5 on the bounce from Dwyer (2), Hanrahan, a Danielle O’Brien free and a good point from play by Heather MacNamara, to leave the half time score Kerry 2-6 Cork 0-2.

Cork started the second half brightly and after kicking two wides, Laoise Collins pointed twice and Rachel Leahy followed up with another point straight after. Kerry were struggling to get their hands on the ball for the first time in the game, but good defence from Mairin Duffy and Katie Brosnan saw the ball transferred to Keri Ann Hanrahan and the Legion sharpshooter slotted over her third point. Cork refused to die however, and points from Laoise Collins, Clodagh Buckley and an Eabha O’Neill free kick brought them to within five points of Kerry 2-7 to 0-8.

Kerry substitute Cora Savage settled her teamates once more with a good point with Cliona Browne responding for Cork. Maura O’Keeffe struck for her second goal, and Kerry’s third, straight afterwards, but Cork fought back once more and Butler in the Kerry goal was forced to make her second good save of the game.

Paris McCarthy then put the game beyond doubt when she scored Kerry’s fourth goal to push them 11 points ahead with five minutes left. Kerry were awarded a penalty but Dwyer’s low shot was well saved.

Kerry will face Tipperary next on April 8.

KERRY: Ciara Butler (Castlegregory), Laura Flynn (Austin Stacks), Mairin Duffy (Cromane), Martha Fitzgerald (Fires), Lily O’Brien (Rathmore), Jessie Cahill (Castleisland Desmonds), Katie Brosnan (Firies), Paris McCarthy (2-0, Castleisland Desmonds), Rachel Dwyer (0-2, Southern Gaels), Keri Ann Hanrahan (0-3, Killarney Legion), Jade Potts (Dr Crokes), Heather McNamara (0-1, Austin Stacks), Maura O’Keeffe (2-0, Rathmore), Danielle O’Brien (0-1f, Fossa), Aoife Crowley (Inbhear Scene Gaels). Subs: Aoife Flaherty (Finuge/St Senans) for Crowley, Cora Savage (0-1, Ballymac) for Potts, Melanie Higgins (Abbeydorney) for MacNamara.

Minors and U-16s in action

THE Kerry minors face Waterford in the re-scheduled Munster Minor Championship in Mallow next Friday (time tbc) while the Kerry U-16s make their Munster Championship bow against Cork on Saturday in Macroom at 2pm.

RESULTS Rhyno Quality Feeds Senior County League Division 2

Na Gaeil 3-9 Dr Crokes 0-4 John Mitchels 3-5 Kilcummin 4-7

Division 4

Cromane 5-10 Firies 1-2 Glenflesk 3-5 Clounmacon/Moyvane 1-8