The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Seniors out of championship
THIS weekend Kerry faced yet another tough challenge in what was a crucial must win game against a tough and strong Carlow side in their final home game of the Premier Junior Camogie Championship played in glorious sunshine in Abbeydorney.
The home side were playing with the wind at their backs in the first half opened the scoring through centre half forward Jacqueline Horgan as she ran past the challenge of the defence to put over a well taken point from play.
Carlow were playing into a strong and difficult breeze in the half, but it did not seem to faze them as they racked up three quick scores within minutes of each other with scores coming from Ciara Qurike and Eleanor Tracey.
Carlow were clearly on top, but Kerry were competing well. Just before the sides would go in for the break, however, Carlow’s pressure on the Kerry defence finally reaped its reward as Emma Brennan burst through the defence and hand passed the sliotar into Ciara Qurike who calmly shot passed Michelle O’Carroll leaving the score at half time Kerry 0-4 Carlow 1-7.
Kerry made one change at half time with Elizabeth Houlihan coming in for half-back Aine O’Connor in the hopes of strengthening the defence, Kerry who were now playing against the wind started the half strong with Clanmauirce’s Patrice Diggin putting over a free from distance into the swirling wind to reduce the deficit but Carlow now playing with the wind in their backs could use that advantage as their forwards were beginning to wade in against the Kerry defence.
Carlow were beginning to get too much space and further scores from Emma Brennan, Ciara Qurike and Ali Ruschitzko extending the lead to 8 points 1-10 to 0-5. Kerry were tough and fearless with their play throughout the game but it would take until the fifth minute of the half for them to register their second score of the half as Jessica Fitzell barged through the Carlow defence and put over a great score from play.
Then in the 10th minute Kerry finally made their breakthrough as Patrice Diggin sent a long ball in toward the Kerry forwards, which the Carlow defence failed to clear and again it was Jessica Fitzell in the spotlight as she latched on to the lose ball and hammered it into the Carlow net to bring the score to 1-11 to 1-6.
Carlow weren’t finished their however and exchanged scores with Kerry midway in the half with half forward Eleanor Tracey from Ballinkillen putting over another two points for Carlow and Patrice Diggin putting over a free for Kerry in what would be their final score of the afternoon.
Kerry were a strong side all afternoon, but couldn’t create the final product as their route one service into the forward line wasn’t clinical enough. Carlow were making great use of the ball with Eleanor Tracey again scoring yet another point.
Carlow’s main edge all afternoon was the route they took to score they made use of the wings on either side to register scores, they also got into space for countless scores and kept on the ball proving difficult all afternoon for a brilliant Kerry defence.
Eleanor Tracey was brilliant all afternoon for Carlow scoring yet another point this time from a 45 to extend the lead and she would finish on a personal tally of ten points. Kerry made two subs late on with the young and talented pair from Causeway of Alannah Whelan and Eilish Harrington coming on in the hopes of trying to claw points back, but it proved too little too late as Carlow proved too strong on the day to send a hardworking, spirited and determined Kerry side out the championship.
Kerry have one final game against Limerick with time and date TBC please visit the Kerry Camogie Facebook Page for more info on the game. KERRY: M O’Carroll, M Costello, S Murphy, S Horgan, A O’Connor, P Diggin (0-5), C Walsh, N Leen, R McCarthy, O Young, J Horgan (0-1), A Maunsell, J Fitzell (1-1), L Collins, N Casey Subs: E Houlihan for A O’Connor, J O’Keeffe for N Casey, E Ryall for R McCarthy, A Whelan for C Walsh, E Harrington for S Horgan