WITH a number of Killarney stars in their line-up, the Kerry ladies clinched the Munster Under 14 A title when they overcame Tipperary, in emphatic fashion, in Mallow on Saturday.
Although they conceded three goals to a plucky Tipp side, they had far too many aces on the field and they clocked up a hugely impressive 4-14 to run out victory with 13 points to spare.
A flurry of early points and a penalty goal from team captain Siofra O’Shea gave Rory Kilgallen’s side the early cushion and another goal from O’Shea’s Southern Gaels clubmate Rachel Dwyer kept them in control.
Tipperary fought back with great gusto but a third Kerry goal gave them a 3-7 to 1-1 half-time advantage.
Tipperary looked a different team on the resumption and they had the ball in the net twice within 10 minutes of the restart, courtesy of Caithlin Kennedy and Ciara Dwan.
But a fourth Kerry goal from captain and player-of-the-match Siofra O’Shea sealed a 4-14 to 3-4 victory and sparked great celebrations which continued on the journey home from Mallow for this very talented and determined group of young players.
The Kerry squad was: Ciara Butler (Castlegregory), Tara Murphy (Legion), Rachel O’Connor (Corca Dhuibhne), Chloe O’Connor (Firies), Ciara McCarthy (Abbeydorney), Maud Kelly (Fossa), Ava Doherty (Glenflesk), Mary O’Connell (Na Gaeil), Siofra O’Shea (Southern Gaels), Rachel Kilgallen (John Mitchels), Ella Teahan (Milltown/Listry), Aoife Dillane (Austin Stacks), Rachel Dwyer (Southern Gaels), Mary Collins (Rathmore), Danielle O’Leary (Rathmore), Gemma Kearney (Castleisland Desmonds), Aishling O’Connell (Ballymac), Ava O Sullivan (Southern Gaels), Susan Cahill (Rathmore), Clodagh Evans (Milltown/Listry), Fodhla Houlihan (Laune Rangers), Andrea Nolan (Laune Rangers), Maggie Kingston (Beaufort), Cliona Murphy (Southern Gaels), Rachel Evans (Laune Rangers), Abi Casey (Na Gaeil), Elaine O’Donoghue (Firies), Ruth Moriarty (John Mitchels), Sarah Sheehan (Fossa), Ciara O’Mahoney (Milltown/Listry).
The team manager is Rory Kilgallen of John Mitchels and his selectors are John Doona of Legion, Frank McLoughlin, Kerins O’Rahillys, Christina Murphy of Kerins O’Rahillys, John Frances Bowler of Dingle and Nora O’Connor of Rathmore.
* Picture source: Kerry Ladies GAA FB
