Ní Mhuircheartaigh leads the way for win

LIDL LADIES NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 2

Kerry 3-14 Tyrone 1-8

IN the end it was comprehensive, but Tyrone gave Kerry plenty to think about in a very entertaining Round 4 league encounter at Fitzgerald Stadium last Sunday.

A contribution of one goal and 10 points from Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh made all the difference as the Corca Dhuibhne girl continued her scoring tour de force in this year’s league. Whilst the bulk of her scores came from placed balls (1-9), she had a hand in earning a good share of them, and she showed great leadership in the forward line throughout.

Kerry were grateful to have someone like Ní Mhuircheartaigh keeping the scoreboard ticking over, because, despite a blistering start to the game, they only played in fits and bursts and left the Ulster side right back into the contest near the fourth quarter.

Indeed, when Grainne Rafferty goaled for Tyrone from the penalty spot in the 54th minute to bring the deficit back to four points, it looked like Tyrone might forge what looked like up to then an unlikely victory. They had the momentum and a panicky Kerry on the rocks it seemed. Instead, to their credit, it was Kerry who put on the after burners once more to score 2-2 without reply in the closing stages, and put the issue beyond any doubt.

The positive ferocity of Kerry’s closing few minutes of the game was a carbon copy of how they played at certain stages. When they shifted the gears they looked in a different class to Tyrone. The problem was that Kerry only did this in fits and starts and allowed Tyrone back into the game when it appeared that they were cruising. Of course, Tyrone have to take credit for this as well as they are a decent side. Kerry have the potential to be a good Division One team though, and if they can find the consistency over 60 minutes they will take a lot of beating.

Kerry raced into a 1-7 to 0-1 lead by the 16th minute of the game thanks to 7 points from Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh (6 frees), and captain Anna Galvin. The Kerry goal came in the fifth minute when a short Tyrone kick out was intercepted, and Emma Dineen and Andrea Murphy combined for Niamh Ní Chonchuir to score a lovely goal.

Kerry were really firing in this opening period and the inside trio of Murphy, Ní Mhuircheartaigh and Dineen had the Tyrone defence in all sorts of bother. Kerry kept a high line for the Tyrone kickouts and it was working a treat, as Laura Kane struggled to find her players. Eventually they began to get to grips with the high pressing game from Kerry, and when they ran at the kingdom defence Tyrone began to make inroads.

Four points on the bounce from Niamh O’Neill (2 frees), Emma Jane Gervin and Toni McLaughlin brought the deficit back to 5 points, 1-7 to 0-5, with 23 minutes gone. Tyrone continued to employ the running game but inspired play from Eilis Lynch, Aislinn Desmond and Ciara O’Brien in the Kerry full back line kept them at bay. Andrea Murphy began to get on some ball from deep, and with Lorraine Scanlon beginning to exert an influence at midfield, Kerry started motoring again.

Scanlon pointed after good work from Eilish O’Leary and Ní Mhuircheartaigh slotted another free. Tyrone responded with an O’Neill placed ball but on the stroke of half time Kerry were denied what looked like a certain penalty when Andrea Murphy rounded the Tyrone goalkeeper and seemed to be impeded when attempting to shoot. The referee waved play on, and as the half time whistle sounded, Kerry took a healthy 1-9 to 0-6 lead in at the break.

Kerry kicked three bad wides at the start of the second half and Tyrone took full advantage when Joanne Barrett and Aoibhinn McHugh pointed. Kerry responded well with two Ní Mhuircheartaigh frees but netminder Elaine O’Sullivan was then forced to make a brilliant save to deflect an Emma Brennan shot off the cross bar, as the Kerry defence lived on its nerves.

Kingdom substitute Fiadhna settled the nerves with a neat score, but Tyrone were awarded a penalty after O’Sullivan had initially made a good save from Niamh O’Neill who was impeded as she took her shot. Grainne Rafferty made no mistake with the spot kick and suddenly Tyrone found themselves just 4 points behind, 1-12 to 1-8 with 54 minutes gone.

The Kerry response was instant and ruthless. Ní Mhuircheartaigh pointed a free and impressive wing back Niamh Carmody was then high tackled in the square. as she made inroads on goal. Hunter was sin binned for Tyrone, and Ní Mhuircheartaigh slotted the resultant penalty with a snipers ruthlessness. Carmody then added a point of her own before substitute Hannah O’Donoghue lobbed Kane for an exquisite goal to finish the contest.

Kerry now have full points at the top of the table and their next game is against second placed Monaghan at home on March 8th.

KERRY: Elaine O’Sullivan, Eilish Lynch, Aislinn Desmond, Ciara O’Brien, Niamh Carmody (0-1), Aishling O’Connell, Ciara Murphy, Lorraine Scanlon (0-1), Meghan O’Connell, Anna Galvin (0-1), Niamh Ni Chonchuir (1-0), Eilish O’Leary, Emma Dineen, Andrea Murphy, Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh 1-9 (0-8f, 1-0 pen). Subs: Miriam O’Keeffe for E O’Leary (40), Fiadhna Tangney (0-1) for M O’Connell (46), Hannah O’Donoghue (1-0) for A Murphy (56), Anna Clifford for E Dineen (61), Laoise Coughlan for A O’Connell (62), Julie O’Sullivan for J Murphy (63).

TYRONE: Laura Kane, Christine Hunter, Emma Mulgrew, Aileen Tuohey, Slaine McCarroll, Tori McLaughlin (0-1), Joanne Barrett, Neamh Woods, Emma Jane Gervin (0-1f), Niamh Hughes, Emma Brennan (0-1), Aoibhinn McHugh (0-1), Niamh O’Neill 0-4 (2f), Siobhán Sherrin, Caitlin Kelly. Subs: Chloe McCaffrey for C Kelly (h-t),Gráinne Rafferty (1-0 pen) for S Sherrin (h-t), Dearbhla Gallagher for N Hughes (46), Maria Canavan for E Brennan (50).

REFEREE: Kevin Phelan (Laois)