Kerry end the drought with sweet win over champions

Kerry 2-12, Waterford 2-10

Having already lost to the champions by nine points in the round robin series it all seemed to be going according to plan when Waterford scorched into a 2-2 to nil lead after just eight minutes with goals from Rebecca Hallahan and Aine Wall.

Maybe the Decies girls thought it was going to be another stroll in the park but the girls from the kingdom hadn't read the script and taking inspiration from the magnificent Geraldine O'Shea, they took the game to the champions and in the end were worthy winners.

Waterford have only themselves to blame for this defeat. They owned the ball for long periods but in trying to walk the ball into the Kerry net they were thwarted time and again by a resolute defence in which Grainne Ní Fhlartharta, Caroline Kelly and Jackie Murnane were outstanding.

Showing totally disregard for the reputation of their opponents, and after Patrice Delaney goaled in the 15th minute, Kerry took complete control and a succession of points saw them retire at the interval 1-8 to 2-4 in front and a shock result was on the cards.

In an effort to try and contain Geraldine O'Shea Waterford moved corner back Donna Frost over on her, but it mattered little. Kerry threw down the gauntlet to their opponents in no uncertain manner when O'Shea was on the end of a great move to finish it to the net in the 40th minute.

However champions die hard they say and back came Waterford to lay siege to the Kerry goal but some appalling shooting cost them dearly, until the pressure finally told with three points on the trot which tied the game for the third time.

One expected Waterford to go on and win the game from this position as they enjoyed almost total supremacy but in a breakaway attack, Katie Kenneally edged Kerry in front again, and it was fitting that Geraldine O'Shea should have the final say with the insurance point which set off marvellous scenes of jubilation among the Kerry players and their supporters as they celebrated their first victory since 1993.

Scorers for Kerry: G. O'Shea 1-6 (0-2 frees); P. Dennehy 1-1; K. Kenneally 0-2; N. Fealy, K. O'Driscoll, S. O'Connor 0-1 each.

Waterford: A. Wall 1-2 (0-1 free); R. Hallahan 1-0; M. O'Rourke, M. O'Donnell 0-2 each; A. Crotty, J. Torpey, L. Wall, D. Breathnach 0-1 each.

KERRY: A. O'Donoghue; D. Fenton, G. Ni Fhlartharta, J. Murnane; D. Shanahan, C. Kelly, D. O'Sullivan; C. Sexton, E. O'Connell; K. Kenneally, N. Fealy, P. Dennehy; S.O'Connor, G. O'Shea, D. Corridan.

Subs: K. O'Driscoll for Fenton; R. Ni Chinneide for Shanahan; S. Delaney for Corridan; J. Johnson for Ni

Chinneide.

WATERFORD: S. Hickey; D. Frost, D. O'Rourke, N. O'Connor; A. Crotty, E. Power, J. Torpey; M. O'Donnell, C. O'Keeffe; L. Wall, D. Breathnach, R. Hallahan; M. O'Rourke; A. Wall, A. Murphy.

Subs: M. Ryan for O'Keeffe; D. Nagle for A. Murphy; M. McGrath for O'Rourke.

Referee: D. O'Mahony (Tipperary).

Tipperary 0-11, Limerick 0-9

By Brendan Larkin

TIPPERARY made a marvellous second half recovery from being six points down to fashion a thrilling victory over Limerick in the Munster ladies JFC final at Pairc Uí Rinn yesterday.

A superb display by corner forward Edel Hanley paved the way for Tipp's two point victory but the contributions of Carmel Condon, Siobhan Costello and midfielders Angie McDermott and Triona Hennessy were also significant as the Premier County won their first title at this level.

Limerick settled well after a shaky start and with Ella O'Shaughnessy unbeatable at full back, they took complete control to lead 0-8 to 0-2 at the interval, Dymphna O'Brien scoring five of those points.

Tipp looked in serious trouble, but the placing of Siobhan Costello at full forward for the second half had the desired effect and they finally drew level with 10 minutes to go.

Limerick were now totally rattled and powerless to stop the Tipperary girls who finished in style with Edel Hanley kicking the winning points.

Scorers for Tipperary: E. Hanley 0-5; S. Costello 0-2; D. Fitzgerald, P. Ryan, C. Tobin, M. Morrisey 0-1 each.

Limerick: D. O'Brien 0-6 (0-3 frees); C. Murphy 0-2; A. Ambrose 0-1.

TIPPERARY: H. Kennedy; M. Crowe, L. Grogan, C. Lambert; C. Condon, M. Corcoran, M. Morrissey; A. McDermott, T. Hennessy; S. Costello, D. Fitzgerald, C. Tobin; P. Ryan, O. Fahey, E. Hanley.

Sub: S. Carew for Fahey.

LIMERICK: M. Giltenane; R. Giltenane, E. O'Shaughnessy, Y. Moynihan; S. O'Brien, M. De Nais, T. Mulcair; M. Shire, MI Casey; C. Ambrose, MA Ambrose, M. Keating; O. Giltinane, D. O'Brien, C. Murphy.

Subs. S. Costello for Casey; S. Hourigan for MA Ambrose.

Referee: P. Lyons (Kerry).