Kerry back in the hunt

KERRY, who lost by nine points to Cork in the Munster final, re-ignited their All-Ireland SFC aspirations with a 2-10 to 0-5 win over Donegal in the second round of the qualifiers in Birr on Saturday.

Goals from Louise Galvin and Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh had the Kingdom 2-6 to 0-4 ahead at half-time.

Excellent defending and good attack play from Ní Mhuircheartaigh in the second-half ensured Donegal never got a chance to get back into contention. The result leaves Kerry manager William O’Sullivan planning for a quarter-final against Connacht champions Mayo.

O’Sullivan said: “We came in a little unsure of where we were but we gave a reasonably good display, the backs were outstanding, we’ve a little bit of work to do from midfield up. Mayo in the quarter-final will be tough, we only beat them by a point last year and they’re peaking at the right time.”

All-Ireland champions Dublin also booked their place in the last eight, where they will face Cork. The Dubs were too good for Galway in the first game at Birr; Amy Ring’s early goal and points from Sinead Aherne putting them 1-6 to 0-2 ahead

An Edel Concannon goal and a point from Aoibheann Daly cut the gap to three but that was as close as Galway came as two Amy Ring goals fired the Dubs to victory (3-9 to 2-6).

Meanwhile, in the other qualifiers there were wins for Meath and Tyrone.

The Royal County enjoyed a 3-27 to 0-5 victory over Sligo in Ballymahon, having led by 2-16 to 0-2 at half-time. Meath now face Ulster champions Monaghan in the last eight.

Tyrone were 2-20 to 1-11 victors over Tipperary in The Downs in Westmeath and now advance to a last-eight clash with Laois.

* All-Ireland quarter-final draw: Cork v Dublin, Mayo v Kerry, Monaghan v Meath, Laois v Tyrone.