CLASS is permanent as the exceptional Valerie Mulcahy proved when she broke Kerry hearts in the All-Ireland Ladies SFC semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick this evening.
Mulcahy, one of the most lethal finishers the game has ever seen, pounced for two timely goals and tacked on two points to end Kerry’s hopes of making it through to the All-Ireland decider.
Alan O’Neill’s side gave it everything they had but Cork had too many aces in their pack and their strong running game eventually wore Kerry down and allowed the rebels in for crucial scores.
At the final whistle the scoreline was 4-14 to 0-13 in Cork’s favour with Áine O’Sullivan and Eimear Scally adding to Mulcahy’s brace of goals.
Plucky Kerry were right in there with a chance for much of the first half and points from Sarah Houlihan, Patrice Dennehy, Louise Scanlon, Megan O’Connell and Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh gave them great hope.
But experienced Cork’s ability to squeeze through for killer goals at crucial stages proved telling.
Kerry’s introduced rugby international Louise Galvin to add some power to the attack and although she made a big difference, it just wasn’t enough and the Kingdom’s lack of real penetration in attack carried a high price.
For their part, Cork are through to their tenth All-Ireland final in 11 years – a remarkable achievement – and few would bet against Eamonn Ryan’s side going all the way yet again when they meet either Dublin or Armagh on September 27.
What makes it all the more disappointing for Kerry is that they beat Cork in this year’s Munster final and while that it of little consolation this evening, at least it is something positive on which to build for next season.
Kerry scorers: S Houlihan 0-4, L Scanlon 0-3, L Ní Mhuircheartaigh 0-2, P Dennehy 0-2, M O’Connell 0-1, L Galvin 0-1.
Kerry: E Murphy, G Crowley, A Desmond, A Leonard, C Kelly, C Lynch, M Quirke, B Breen, L Scanlon, E Sherwood, S Houlihan, D Hallissey, P Dennehy, M O’Connell, L Ní Mhuircheartaigh.
Subs: L Rogers for Crowley; L Galvin for O’Connell; E O’Connor for Leonard; A Brosnan for Houlihan.
