LGFA NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE FINAL
Kerry 5-11
Galway 1-10
A efficiency for the ages noticed Kerry declare the county’s first Division One Nationwide League title since 1991 as they fully dismantled a shell-shocked Galway staff that had no reply to the Kingdom’s brilliance on a day of days.
The foundations for Kerry’s victory was laid by an excellent defensive efficiency during which participant of the match Kayleigh Cronin excelled, and when the ball was transferred to the deadly Kerry forwards they made hay towards a Galway rearguard that certainly by no means noticed such a mauling coming. There’s been many superb performances by Kerry groups in Croke Park however this show will definitely rank up there with the most effective of them.
Each one in every of Kerry’s 5 targets was borne out of craft and crafty by a staff that has constructed an nearly telepathic understanding of one another’s play. When Kerry misplaced possession of the ball they hunted in packs and shaped a line of defense that Galway merely couldn’t pierce, bar a interval in the direction of the tip of the second half when Kerry had their day’s work executed and the Connacht facet lastly discovered a chink of sunshine.
The mesmerising nature of Kerry’s first half had Galway chasing shadows. The hassling, harrying, work-rate and sheer by no means say die perspective was a pleasure to behold and repeatedly they have been suffocated by a inexperienced and gold wall that as a unit coated each inch of the Croke Park hazard zone.
Though Galway obtained off to the most effective begin with a Leanne Coen level within the first thirty seconds, Kerry took over thereafter. Niamh Carmody, giving her customary high-octane efficiency, opened Kerry’s account with some extent within the second minute – assisted by Louise Nà Mhuircheartaigh – and with Lorraine Scanlon ruling the air with some splendid catches, the live-wire Kerry forwards have been seeing some high quality ball.
Anna Galvin obtained her identify on the rating sheet quickly afterwards, and as Kerry deployed a excessive press that Galway struggled to deal with they struck for purpose primary on the ten minute mark. Nà Mhuircheartaigh, working like a trojan, disrupted Galway’s kick out and he or she discovered NÃamh Nà Chonchúir off her shoulder. Nà Chonchúir had work to do however hit a cracker of a shot to the highest nook that left Alannah Griffin within the Galway purpose clutching at skinny air.
Aim quantity two got here 5 minutes later. Lorraine Scanlon performed a superb ball into Kayleigh Cronin, up from full again, and because the Dr Crokes lady minimize inside her move throughout purpose discovered NÃ Mhuircheartaigh ghosting behind the quilt and he or she punched to the web.
Scanlon added some extent, however Galway struck for 2 on the trot with two Roisin Leonard free kicks as they desperately tried to get again into the sport. Kerry gathered themselves as soon as extra although with Ciara Murphy, Eilis Lynch, Aishling O’Connell, Cáit Lynch and Emma Sherwood in bullish temper, Niamh Nà Chonchúir and Nà Mhuircheartaigh (free) added scores to see the Kingdom take a 2-5 to 0-4 lead in at half time.
The third quarter of any recreation might be the successful or dropping of any contest and it was right here that Kerry very a lot put the Galway problem to mattress because the Kingdom struck for 2 targets and 6 factors earlier than the Tribeswomen obtained their first level of the second half.
Anna Galvin and Nà Mhuircheartaigh (free) began the onslaught and Nà Mhuircheartaigh was unfortunate to not strike for an additional purpose when her shot went simply exterior the submit. We didn’t have lengthy to attend for the third purpose, and within the thirty seventh seventh minute Siofra O’Shea fed Niamh Nà Chonchúir who completed for her second of the sport.
Kerry have been ravenous however wished extra. Galway kicked out however Kerry pressed excessive as soon as once more and Aishling O’Connell and Niamh Carmody mixed to place Hannah O’Donoghue by for purpose quantity 4. O’Donoghue, wanting actually sharp, was loving the vast areas of Croke Park and struck for 3 extra factors on the trot with Galway’s sole reply coming from Kate Slevin who Eilis Lynch had in her again pocket for almost all of the sport.
Galway scored a purpose from a penalty by Kate Slevin however an excellent transfer involving Aishling O’Connell, Cáit Lynch, Amy Harrington and Lorraine Scanlon noticed Siofra O’Shea punch to the web for Kerry’s fifth purpose, and with the rating now at 5-11 to 1-5, and simply twelve minutes left to play, the cup was very a lot in Kerry’s fingers.
Galway did hit 5 factors in a row as Kerry understandably took their foot off the pedal, however within the end Kerry held the ball with type and cuteness earlier than the buzzer went and a Nationwide League marketing campaign that has seen them develop to be the highest ranked staff within the nation was topped with an excellent 13 level victory.
KERRY: Mary Ellen Bolger; Eilis Lynch, Kayleigh Cronin, Ciara Murphy; Aishling O’Connell, Emma Costelloe, Cáit Lynch; Lorraine Scanlon (0-1) , Mary O’Connell; Niamh Carmody (0-2), Niamh Nà Chonchúir (2-1), Anna Galvin (0-2); Hannah O’Donoghue (1-3), SÃofra O’Shea (1-0), Louise Nà Mhuircheartaigh 1-2 (0-2f). Subs: Amy Harrington for M O’Connell (43), Caoimhe Evans for N Nà Chonchuir (48), Fiadhna Tangney for H O’Donoghue (52), Aoife Dillane for C Murphy (52), Louise Galvin for E Costelloe (52).
GALWAY: Alannah Griffin; Kate Geraghty, Sarah NÃ Loingsigh (capt.), Eimile Gavin; Charlotte Cooney, Nicola Ward, Aoife Molloy; Ailbhe Davoren, Siobhan Divilly; Leanne Coen (0-1), Louise Ward, Olivia Divilly (0-2); Eva Noone, Roisin Leonard (0-2f) Kate Slevin 1-3 (1-0Â pen, 0-2f). Subs: Chellene Trill for E Gavin (24), Shauna Brennan (0-2) for R Leonard (ht), Hannah Noone for A Molloy (38), Darina Keane for E Noone (38), Lynsey Noone for S Divilly (43).
Referee: Jonathan Murphy (Carlow)
