The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Second half surge sinks Kerry
Cork 5-13 Kerry 2-10
A POWER packed third quarter propelled Cork to a comprehensive victory over Kerry at a resplendent CIT grounds in Bishopstown last Saturday. It was looking good for Kerry in the first half as they played some excellent football and they were well deserving of their 2-6 to 1-5 lead at the break.
The first fifteen minutes of the second half proved to be a horror show for the Kerry girls, however, as Cork racked up three goals and four points to Kerry’s solitary point during this period.
Central to the Cork win was the display of substitute Saoirse Noonan who contributed 2-2 after coming on. The Leaving Cert student was a star minor for the Rebels last year, and looks to have a very bright future ahead of her at senior level as well.
The game had started brightly for Kerry and Amy Foley helped herself to a brace of points early on. Cork slotted over two of their own from Áine and Doireann O’Sullivan to level matters.
Kerry were playing the better football, but Cork were awarded a penalty in the 10th after Ciara O’Sullivan was fouled. Hannah Looney struck the penalty low and hard for a goal to push Cork three ahead.
Lorraine Scanlon replied with a pointed free and the Kingdom were threatening the Cork rearguard at every opportunity. Andrea Murphy was unlucky when her goal bound effort was deflected out for a ‘45, but soon afterwards a move involving Murphy, Emma Dineen and Amy Foley led to Sarah Houlihan scoring Kerry’s first goal. Houlihan followed with a point from a free straight afterwards and Kerry raced into a 1-4 to 1-2 lead.
Amanda Brosnan was prominent in the middle of the field for Kerry, but Cork struck once again with good individual efforts from Ashling Hutchings and Áine O’Sullivan to level matters in the 23rd minute.
Kerry were going through a tough spell at this point as a number of cheap turnovers while in good positions was costing them. Áine O’Sullivan pushed Cork one ahead in the 29th minute, but two Houlihan free kicks gave Kerry the advantage once more.
Kerry then struck for a goal on the stroke of half-time. A shot for a point from Siobhan Burns fell short, and after pressure from Andrea Murphy forced Cork goalie Martina O’Brien to fumble possession, Amy Foley was on hand to slot the rebound into the back of the net to give Kerry a 2-6 to 1-5 lead at the break.
Whatever was said in the Cork dressing room at half-time worked, as they came out a totally different side in the second half. A first minute point from Doireann O’Sullivan set them on their way, before the outstanding Ciara O’Sullivan scored a goal two minutes later after a move involving several players.
Disaster struck for Kerry shortly afterwards when Cork were awarded their second penalty of the game following a foul on Ciara O’Sullivan. Impressive substitute Saoirse Noonan made no mistake from the penalty spot and Cork lead 3-6 to 2-6.
Orla Finn and Sarah Houlihan traded points, but Cork were rampant, and Ciara O’Sullivan scored a brilliant individual goal after ghosting past five Kerry defenders. Points followed from Aine O’Sullivan and Finn as the rebels raced 4-9 to 2-7 ahead with 44 minutes gone.
Kerry looked out on their feet as Cork, with Melissa Duggan particularly prominent, looked the much better side. A Libby Coppinger point was sandwiched between scores from Emma Dineen and Bríd Ryan as Kerry desperately tried to find a way back into the game.
Irish soccer international Noonan struck for two more points for the winners, before adding her second goal moments later. The screw was now firmly turned and Kerry were a well beaten side by
this stage. Kate O’Sullivan slotted over a point, but it mattered little as Cork had the game well won.
Kerry will now go into the newly revamped qualifiers where they will face an away tie against Tipperary on July 4 before welcoming Ulster champions Donegal on the July 28.
CORK: Martina O’Brien; Chloe Collins, Roisin Phelan, Emma Spillane; Marie O’Callaghan, Melissa Duggan, Shauna Kelly; Ashling Hutchings (0-1), Orla Farmer; Hannah Looney (1-0, pen), Doireann O’Sullivan (0-2), Libby Coppinger (0-1); Aine O’Sullivan (0-4), Ciara O’Sullivan (2-0), Orla Finn (0-3) Subs: Saoirse Noonan (2-2, 1 gl pen) for O Farmer HT, Brid O’Sullivan for A O’Sullivan 48th, Orla Farmer for L Coppinger 54th, Aisling Kelleher for R Phelan 57th, Aisling Barrett for C Collins 60th
KERRY: Laura Fitzgerald; Laoise Coughlan, Sarah Murphy, Eilis Lynch; Deirdre Kearney, Aislinn Desmond, Ashling O’Connell; Lorraine Scanlon (0-1f), Amanda Brosnan; Amy Foley (1-2), Siobhan Burns, Emma Dineen (0-1); Andrea Murphy, Eilish O’Leary, Sarah Houlihan (1-4,3f) Subs: Brid Ryan (0-1) for S Burns HT, Kate O’Sullivan (0-1) for L Coughlan 43rd, Sophie Lynch for E O’Leary 48th, Aoife O’Callaghan for A Murphy 48th, Deirdre Geaney for E Dineen 60th
REFEREE: T Fox (Tipperary)