Four glorious goals at opportune stages in the game booked Kerry’s place in this year’s All-Ireland Ladies Football final as it earned them an emphatic 4-10 to 0-13 victory over Mayo in Croke Park this afternoon.
The impressive Division 2 champions, who will dine at the top table next season, produced a power-packed display and always held the upper hand against a strong Mayo side that sent Cork packing in the quarter-final.
Well-struck early goals from Aishling O’Connell and Siofra O’Shea had Kerry 2-2 to 0-2 in the first 10 minutes and although Mayo regrouped, O’Shea pounced for her second goal and Declan Quill and Darragh Long’s side had a 3-6 to 0-8 half-time advantage.
Never-say-die Mayo didn’t drop their heads, however, and cut the gap to four but when late call-up Paris McCarthy scrambled Kerry’s fourth goal over the line, it was all over as a contest.
There was one very worrying development late in the game when ace sharpshooter Louise Ni Muircheartaigh – who kicked five points – was in obvious discomfort on the ground, with a leg injury, but co-trainer Long confirmed afterwards that she was fine.
Kerry will now be back in Croke Park, seeking their 12th title, on All-Ireland final day and given the they attractive, attacking football they are displaying this season, few will bet against them.
It will be their first time in the final since 2012 and much of the credit for that must go to Kerry full back and Dr Crokes star Kayleigh Cronin who played a blinder and was named player-of-the-match.
Kerry scorers: Síofra O’Shea 2-0, Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh 0-5, Aishling O’Connell 1-1, Paris McCarthy 1-0, Emma Costello 0-1, Niamh Carmody 0-1, Cáit Lynch 0-1, Danielle O’Leary 0-1.
Kerry: Ciara Butler (Castlegregory), Julie O’Sullivan (Inbhear Sceine Gaels), Kayleigh Cronin (Dr Crokes), Eilís Lynch (Castleisland Desmonds), Aishling O’Connell (Éire Óg, Cork), Emma Costello (Firies), Ciara Murphy (MKL Gaels), Lorraine Scanlon (Castleisland Desmonds), Cáit Lynch (Castleisland Desmonds), Niamh Carmody (Finuge/St Senans), Síofra O’Shea (Southern Gaels), Anna Galvin (Na Fianna), Paris McCarthy (Castleisland Desmonds), Danielle O’Leary (Rathmore), Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh (Corca Dhuibhne),
Subs: Aoife Dillane (Austin Stacks) for O’Sullivan; Erica McGlynn (Fossa) for McCarthy; Niamh Ní Chonchúir (Corca Dhuibhne) for O’Leary; Niamh Broderick (MKL Gaels) for Murphy; Caoimhe Evans (MKL Gaels) for Carmody
