O’Donoghue earns late draw for ladies
Kerry 0-15 Waterford 2-9
THE clutch shooter in basketball is a prized asset, the player that can step up and drain the buzzer beater under pressure when the chips are down. Hannah O’Donoghue proved that she is the footballing equivalent for the Kerry ladies when her brilliant over the shoulder effort in the sixth minute of overtime rescued a draw for the Kingdom in a game that they should have won, but came very close to losing.
It shouldn’t have come to that really, as Kerry were the better side for most of the game. Playing without ace attackers Sarah Houlihan and Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh, Kerry began with a flourish. Their opening quarter was superb, with newcomer Erica McGlynn helping herself to two early points as her mobility and strength gave Kerry an impressive attacking fulcrum. Amanda Brosnan was also excelling in an advanced centre half forward role, and points from Emma Dineen, and two Miriam O’Keeffe efforts, one from play, pushed Kerry into a 0-5 to 0-2 lead after 10 minutes, with the Waterford reply coming from the boots of Liz Devine and Eimear Fennell.
Kerry also had a goal disallowed in the seventh minute of the game when a Miriam O’Keeffe effort for a point fell short, and Erica McGlynn was adjudged to have been in the square with her follow up punch to the net. Kerry were putting serious pressure on the Waterford kick outs and took full advantage of their inability to find their own players by adding further points from a Miriam O’Keeffe free kick, and Amanda Brosnan, after Waterford goalkeeper Kelly Moroney was adjudged to have taken too long with her restart. Brosnan added her second point of the game soon afterwards after a penetrating run through the middle of the Déise defence from Aishling O’Connell set up the Dr Crokes girl. Kerry were dominant in every sector of the field at this stage, with Ciara O’Brien and Aislinn Desmond rock solid in defence. Waterford did gain a brief respite with a pointed Eimear Fennell free kick before Kerry pushed on once more with a good effort from Niamh Carmody to push them 0-9 to 0-4 ahead in the 22nd minute.
To their credit Waterford kept coming at Kerry but shot a couple of bad wides when in good positions. Kerry needed to up the ante and did so in fine style when a long ball from Emma Dineen was followed to the net by Amanda Brosnan, but once again referee Niall McCormack ruled on a square ball. From the resultant kick out Waterford attacked, and a fine run along the end line from the dangerous Aileen Wall led to consternation in the Kerry defence, with a mix up leading to a fortunate own goal. The half time whistle sounded soon afterwards and Kerry too a slight 1-4 to 0-9 lead in at the break, despite having been much the better side throughout the first half.
Kerry rang the changes at the start of the second half with Siobhan Burns and Anna O’Reilly entering the fray. Miriam O’Keeffe got them off the mark early with a pointed free kick before Waterford responded with an effort from Kelly Ann Hogan in the 35th minute. It was noticeable that Waterford were beginning to grow in confidence, and Kerry goalkeeper Robyn While had to effect a good save from Aileen Wall, when the flying winger looked certain to goal. Kerry then scored the point of the game after a flowing move from defence involving Amanda Brosnan, Emma Dineen and Hannah O’Donoghue saw Erica McGlynn score her third point of the game. Emma Dineen and Maria Delahunty traded points, and by the 45th minute Kerry led by 0-12 to 1-6.
Kerry were dealt a body blow in the 49th minute when Siobhan Burns was sent to the sin bin after some persistent fouling by the Kerry rearguard saw the referee reach for his yellow card. Delahunty added another free to bring Waterford to within five points, but Lorraine Scanlon, who gave a fine performance, restored Kerry’s 5 point advantage once more. Lauren McGregor for Waterford, and McGlynn for Kerry, swapped scores as the game seemed to be meandering towards an inevitable Kerry win. Waterford refused to die, and Aileen Wall struck for a goal in the 58th minute after a Kerry out ball was intercepted. Wall had a bit of work to do but sliced through the Kerry defence to finish with authority and level the game.
Kerry looked shell shocked and suddenly Waterford had a spring in their step. Wall kicked a good chance wide, but from the ensuing restart Kerry fouled, and Delahunty pointed the free to put them a point ahead. Kerry looked dead and buried but refused to accept defeat.
Then came O’Donoghue’s moment of genius, and Kerry snatched a draw when all seemed lost.
KERRY: Robyn White, Ciara O’Brien, Aislinn Desmond, Eilis Lynch, Sophie Lynch, Aishling O’Connell, Kayleigh Cronin, Lorraine Scanlon (0-1f), Amanda Brosnan (0-2, 1f), Emma Dineen (0-2), Ciara Murphy, Niamh Carmody (0-1), Miriam O Keeffe (0-4, 3f), Erica McGlynn (0-4), Hannah O’Donoghue (0-1). Subs: Siobhan Burns for N Carmody (h-t), Anna O’Reilly for S Lynch (h-t), Aoife O’Callaghan for M O’Keeffe (50).
WATERFORD: Kelly Moroney, Cara McCarthy, Karen McGrath, Rebecca Casey, Kate McGrath, Emma Gildea, Cora Murray, Emma Murray, Kelly Ann Hogan(0-1), Aileen Wall (1-0), Maria Delahunty (0-3f), Chloe Fennell, Eimear Fennell (0-3, 2f), Michelle Ryan, Liz Devine (0-1). Subs: Lauren McGregor (0-1) for C Fennell (47), Katie Hannon for K A Hogan (58).
REFEREE: Niall McCormack (Laois)