The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Early start shouldn’t deter ladies from getting win against travelling Tyrone
TOP of the table Kerry will be hoping to make it four wins out of four when they welcome joint second placed Tyrone to Fitzgerald Stadium this Sunday as part of a double header with the Kerry men’s side.
It would be fair to say that Kerry would have expected to be in this position at the start of the league, especially as they went as far as the final in last years campaign. The kingdom ladies would traditionally be considered as a Division One side and a spell in the second tier is seen as temporary blip in their fortunes. The retirements of the experienced Amanda Brosnan and Sarah Houlihan prior to the start of the league may have created a slight doubt in the minds of some as to how they would perform, but Kerry have seamlessly won their first 3 games to dispel any worry on that score.
An opening day win away to Cavan set the tone perfectly for Kerry’s new management team under the umbrella of joint managers Declan Quill and Darragh Long. Kerry were in control for most of the game but the tide turned when Niamh Carmody was sin binned with 10 minutes remaining. Cavan scored 1-3 without reply in this period but Kerry had done enough to secure a hugely important win.
The game against Wexford was a totally one sided affair with Kerry getting in plenty of shooting practice in a 5-15 to 0-4 win. The visit of Armagh to Killarney was a much bigger test but once again Kerry came through impressively with a 2-12 to 2-10 victory, although the concession of two late goals was another warning that the kingdom must maintain their concentration for the full 60 + minutes.
Tyrone have had a mixed start to the National Football
League with a 2-14 to
2-6 loss to Meath on opening day a wake up call for them. Victories over Armagh and Clare have followed since though to put them right back in contention for a place in the final. The Tyrone manager Gerry Moane is well thought of in the Red
Hand county and he signed a new 3 year extension to his contract last November.
Moane coached his side to the 2018 All Ireland Intermediate title and is seen as a key element in Tyrone’s progression going forward.
Tyrone will look to players like Emma Mulgrew, Christiane Hunter, Slaine Mc Carroll, Joanne Barrett, Neamh Woods, Emma Jane Gervin and Niamh O’Neill to make inroads against Kerry. O’Neill is certainly one to watch and she has contributed 3-8 to their campaign so far. Their side is pacey and ambitious so there is no doubt that they will test Kerry to the limit.
On the other hand, Quill and Long have to be pleased with the way that their side has performed so far. It takes a while for a new management to imprint their style of play on a team, but what is clear so far is that they favour a high pressing game full of intensity. Their forward line has been most impressive with Hannah O’Donoghue, Niamh Ní Chonchuir, Fiadhna Tangney and Emma Dineen showing some great form. Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh looks to have the pep back in her step and leads the scoring charts with 5-11 over the three games.
Kerry captain Anna Galvin, Aishling O’Connell and Aislinn Desmond have also been in great form whilst Lorraine Scanlon continues to impress at midfield. They will need them to be firing on all cylinders for Tyrone. Fiadhna Tangney picked up an ankle injury against Armagh but is expected to be fit to play, as will Hannah O’Donoghue who picked up a neck injury in the same game. The Kerry management should have a full deck to choose from once the players have come through this week’s round of college games unscathed.
Tyrone will bring everything to Killarney and there is no doubt that they will travel south with expectations of winning the game. Kerry are on the front foot however and won’t slip up at home. Expect Kerry to win after a battle.