IT wasn’t so much a case of mission accomplished for the Kerry ladies’ under 16 side when they clashed with Dublin in the All-Ireland Championship final in Nenagh, Co Tipperary tonight.
The most memorable aspect of the whole game was the clinical, super efficient and hugely impressive way the Kerry girls went about their business, crushing Dublin from the first whistle to the last to make it a memorable two All-Ireland victories in a row with a 3-21 to 0-10 victory.
There was simply no living with this incredibly talented Kerry side that can boast stars in every position and, right from the outset, they imposed their will on the game and left the Dubs singing the blues.
A succession of sweet points saw Kerry race into a 0-7 to 0-2 lead after just 12 minutes and the Dublin goalkeeper was picking the ball out of the net for the first time six minutes later when Beaufort’s Hannah O’Donoghue finished to the net.
It was 1-10 to 0-3 after 22 minutes and Kerry pounced for their second goal, from Rathmore midfielder Bríd Ryan, just before the break to leave the game effectively over with Kerry ahead by a whopping 14 points, 2-13 to 0-5.
The contest was well and truly over five minutes after the restart when Aoife O’Callaghan converted a penalty and, after that, it was just target practice for the reigning champions who tagged on score after score to win handsomely.
Fiadhna Tangney from Beaufort, who was brilliant all night in McDonagh Park, was named player-of-the match and there were scenes of great jubilation when the cup was presented to the Kerry girls.
There will be a homecoming party tomorrow evening in Killorglin and the public is asked to turn out in force to congratulate such a wonderful and dedicated team.
Kerry: Laura Teahan, Kilcummin; Kate Maher, Kilcummin; Tara Breen, Beaufort; Ciara O’Brien, Laune Rangers; Anna O’Reilly, Fossa; Ally Ní Mhathuna, Corca Dhuibhne; Kayla O’Connor, Castleisland Desmonds; Sophie Lynch, Listowel Emmets; Brid Ryan, Rathmore; Fiadhna Tangney, Beaufort; Erica McGlynn, Fossa; Niamh Ní Chonchuir, Corca Dhuibhne; Aoife O’Callaghan, Rathmore; Hannah O’Donoghue, Beaufort; Labhaoise Walmsley, Castleisland Desmonds.
Subs: Dasha Puzanova, Dr Crokes; Julie O’Sullivan, Inbhear Sceine Gaels; Jadyn Lucey, Na Gaeil; Ceiti Ní Luing, Corca Dhuibhne; Rachael Fitzgerald, Rathmore; Mollie O’Carroll, Austin Stacks; Anna Clifford, Fossa; Kate Stack, Dr Crokes; Ciara Murphy, Miltown/Listry; Ellen O’Sullivan, Inbhear Sceine Gaels; Ciara Randles, Legion.
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