Kerry savour rare win over Cork
The result brought an end to Kerry’s ten-year losing sequence against their illustrious neighbours.
In their first meeting since last September’s All-Ireland decider, Kerry looked the sharper outfit throughout, though much credit must fall on goalkeeper Edel Murphy.
The Kingdom’s netminder pulled of four fine first-half saves in denying Valerie Mulcahy, Rhona Ní Bhuachalla and Nollaig Cleary, while the crossbar and post rescued the winners on at least four more occasions.
Juliet Murphy’s midfield presence was sorely missed by Cork, with Kerry’s Bernie Breen orchestrating proceedings around the middle, while full-back Aislinn Desmond kept a tight grip on Valerie Mulcahy.
Playing into the teeth of a strong wind, Cork opened brightly with Rhona Ní Bhuachalla crashing home the games opening goal, followed by an Orla Finn point.
Kerry replied in terrific, fashion firing over eight unanswered points between the 6th and 22nd minute, Sarah Houlihan, Louise Galvin, Deirdre Corridan, Laura Rogers, Bernie Breen and Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh all finding the target.
A mistake by Edel Murphy thereafter allowed Mulcahy register Cork’s second goal, though the home side still enjoyed the interval initiative, leading 0-10 to 2-1.
Cork, backed by the elements at the change of ends, levelled matters courtesy of points from Geraldine O’Flynn, Orla Finn and Angela Walsh before Mulcahy nudged the visitors ahead on 40 minutes.
It proved short-lived, however, as a Ní Mhuircheartaigh free sailed all the way to the Cork net entering the final quarter.
Cork, to their credit, again plugged back the deficit, but a second Ní Mhuircheartaigh strike, followed by a Megan O’Connell goal sealed a famous victory for the home side.
Scorers for Kerry: Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh (2-2, 1-1 frees), M O’Connell (1-0), S Houlihan (0-2, 0-2 frees), P Dennehy (0-2), B Breen, L Galvin, L Rogers, and D Corridan (0-1 each).
Scorers for Cork: V Mulcahy (1-3, 0-3 frees), O Ní Bhuachalla (1-1), E Farmer (1-0); O Farmer (0-2), G O’Flynn and A Walsh (0-1 each).
KERRY: E Murphy; C Lynch, A Desmond, A Lyons; J Brosnan, C Kelly, D Hallissey; E Sherwood, B Breen; S Houlihan, D Corridan, L Rogers; P Dennehy, L Galvin, L Ní Mhuircheartaigh.
Subs: M O’Connell for E Sherwood (47).
CORK: E Harte; A M Walsh, B Stack, A Barrett; B Corkery, D O’Reilly, G O’Flynn; A Walsh, R Buckley; O Farmer, A Walsh, O Finn; V Mulcahy, R Ní Bhuachalla, N Cleary.
Subs: D O’Sullivan for N Cleary (50), E Farmer for O Finn (52)
Referee: Jason Mullins (Limerick).
