Clash of titans as Kerry face Galway girls in All-Ireland U-14 football final
ALL-IRELAND U-14 ‘A’ FINAL
Kerry v Galway Saturday, July 1 McDonagh Park, Nenagh at 1.30pm
WHEN Kerry and Galway played a challenge game in Killorglin way back in rainy March, Galway manager Stephen Hession knew that it wasn’t going to be the last time that the two sides met.
“I could see from that game that ourselves and Kerry were way ahead of any other team in the country,” Hession said, “and I actually said to Kerry manager John Doona that day that I would see him in the All Ireland final in July.”
Hession was 100% correct and the teams will face off once more on Saturday for what promises to be a mouth watering All-Ireland U-14 ‘A’ final between two teams that have racked up some very impressive scores in their previous games.
Kerry marched through their Munster campaign, and after defeating Cork and Tipperary convincingly in the preliminary rounds they once again faced the Rebels in the Munster final in Mallow. A much improved Cork certainly put it up to Kerry that day, but in fairness to Kerry they dug deep and eventually won out on a 1-12 to 0-8 scoreline. The All Ireland semi-final against Ulster champions Cavan was nip and tuck in the first half with Kerry going in at the break just one point ahead, but a power packed second half performance saw Kerry pull away and win on a convincing 3-16 to 4-3 scoreline.
“We struggled in the first half,” admitted Kerry manager John Doona. “Two balls came off the post, we weren’t taking our scores, it was only in the second half that we really got into the game. Even when we went 12 points up in the second half we couldn’t rest as they put away two late goals. Anything can happen in kids games so we have to keep the intensity up against Galway and hopefully come out at the right end of it.”
Galway were also very impressive throughout the Connacht championship and easily accounted for Mayo, Leitrim, Sligo and Roscommon before eventually defeating Leitrim by 8 points in the final. Their All Ireland semi final against Dublin was a bit of non event, with the Galway girls racking up an impressive 6-23 on their way to a 29-point victory over the Leinster champions. They are an exceptionally strong team throughout the field with Verona Crowley and Kate Slevin lethal in attack, Ellen Power and Kara McLeane are two strong and mobile midfielders while Therese Kinnevey and Emma Madden are the glue that holds their defence together. Galway retain eight of the side that narrowly lost the 2016 All-Ireland semi-final to Kerry, so they are an opponent that need to be respected.
Kerry captain Rachel Dwyer and goalkeeper Ciara Butler both featured in that semi-final win Galway last year. Dwyer, daughter of former Kerry star Denis, is a tall rangy midfielder on whom Kerry will pin a lot of their hopes on. She will not be alone though, as the likes of Butler in goals, Lilly O’Brien, Katie Brosnan and Jessie Cahill form a teak tough and solid defence. Paris McCarthy, Keri Ann Hanrahan, Jade Potts and Maura O’Keeffe provide the flair and scoring power that Kerry hope will propel them to victory over the westeners. In truth though, Kerry’s greatest strength is their work ethic and willingness to work hard for each other.
“The way we look at it is if girls work hard at training then they have a chance of playing,” said Doona, “we know what Galway are going to bring and it is up to us to bring the game to them. If we do that then we have a serious chance of winning the All Ireland.”
Kerry will certainly have to be at their beat to defeat Galway on Saturday. A good start will be vital and if they can gain some sort of dominance around the middle of the field they have the forward power to trouble the Galway defence.
On the other hand the Kerry rearguard will have to be extremely disciplined to keep the free scoring Galway forwards at bay. Corner forward Slevin contributed 2-8 in their semi-final win and will have to be held. This is a very good Kerry team however and if they play direct early ball into the attack, and take their chances, then they will come out on top.
Doona and his management team have their girls in tip top shape, so fitness certainly won’t be an issue. A poor performance like the first half in the All Ireland semi-final just won’t do, and Galway will be much more clinical than Cavan were. So a hesitant vote for the Kingdom girls to win, but only just, in an All Ireland final that could be a classic.