Camogie team qualify for All-Ireland ‘A’ final

JUNIOR A CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL Kerry 4-17 Meath 0-4

THE Kerry senior camogie team made the trip to Birr on Sunday last to take on Meath for a chance to qualify for the All-Ireland Junior ‘A’ Camogie Final. In a very one sided affair Kerry ran out comfort winners.

Kerry were dominate all over the field with their backs denying the Meath forwards any time to shoot and the Kerry forwards picking off scores at their ease with the Kerry full forward line contributing 4-13 of Kerry’s total.

Kerry will now look to add the All Ireland Junior A title to their National League and Munster championship crowns that they have already won this year. The final is fixed for Sunday August 23; Kerry’s opponents in the final will be Carlow. Carlow like Kerry are also having a fantastic year winning Division 3 of the national league and also winning the Leinster Championship. The fact that Carlow have been operating at a higher level in the league Division 3 to Kerry’s Division 4 and also the fact that Carlow lost last years Junior A final to Limerick will make Carlow favourites.

This Kerry team, though, wears the Kerry jersey with huge pride and have some tremendously skilful and talented players and will do everything in their power to win anther All-Ireland for Kerry.

ALL-IRELAND U-16 CHAMPIONSHIP Kerry 3-1 Antrim 3-9

THE Kerry U-16 Camogie team made the journey up to Clane, Co. Kildare on Saturday last to face Antrim in their final group game. The way results had gone in the group meant that this game would decide the final team to qualify for the semi-finals.

In a keenly contested game Antrim proved just that little bit too strong for the Kerry girls. Kerry began the game with the aid of a strong breeze and used it to good effect to deliver the ball into the Antrim goal mouth which resulted in three Kerry goals.

Kerry’s backs were dominant especially Alannah Whelan, Clodagh Walsh and Bríd Horan. Unfortunately a mix up in the Kerry square led to an Antrim goal. Kerry stuck back with a point from Megan Casey Lawlor. Three pointed frees from Antrim left the score Kerry 3-1 to Antrim 1-3 at half time.

Kerry needed a strong start to the second half but unfortunately Kerry couldn’t make the ball stick in the forward line. Antrim became dominant in their half back line and midfield and were delivering good balls into their forwards and began to pick off scores and Kerry couldn’t clear their lines. Kerry’s goalkeeper Orla Hussey gave her all and pull off some magnificent saves but the pressure eventually told and Antrim struck for the goals they needed to turn the game in their favour.

Kerry’s inability to score in the second half proved the decisive factor in the game. This is a talented group of girls who have huge potential with a number of them capable of making the step up to the senior inter-county squad next year.

The Kerry Under-16 camogie team that was beaten by Antrim at the weekend