League champs Kerry inflict chastening defeat on Cork 

Emma Dineen of Kerry in action against Sarah Leahy of Cork

Lidl NFL Division 1: Kerry 2-14 Cork 0-7

A third consecutive Lidl LGFA National Football League Division 1 victory was thoroughly deserved for defending champions Kerry over Cork on Bank Holiday Monday.

Two late goals from Hannah O’Donoghue and Danielle O’Leary put the seal on an impressive Kerry performance.

The winners had seven different scorers and restricted Cork to two points from open play.

That only tells half the story however, on an afternoon Kerry reminded the rest of the country why they will be National League and All-Ireland contenders once again in 2024.

As for Cork, this was a chastening afternoon for Shane Ronayne and his new-look squad. Going over 20 minutes without a score coupled with an inability to prise open Kerry’s defence made for a forgettable afternoon.

Ciara McCarthy of Kerry in action against Maire O'Callaghan of Cork

The home side began with Mary Ellen Bolger lining out in goal despite her mother Annette passing away the previous weekend.

Bolger, who was determined to play, did herself and her family proud after what must have been an emotional week.

Kerry enjoyed the benefit of a strong wind but it was Cork who broke the deadlock courtesy of a converted Katie Quirke free.

Their opponent’s response was swift with Niamh Carmody (free) and a cracking Hannah O’Donoghue effort edging the Kingdom in front.

Quirke’s second free made it 0-2 apiece prior to a returning Laura O’Mahony restoring Cork’s lead.

That’s as good as it got for the Rebels however, as the remainder of the half saw a dominant Kerry assume total control.

Putting increasing pressure on Cork’s kick-outs, two Niamh Carmody frees and an Emma Dineen score made it 0-5 to 0-3.

Unable to get out of their half and struggling to retain possession from restarts, Cork were fortunate to concede only two additional scores as Kerry kicked seven wides prior to the short whistle.

Despite those misses, Niamh Ní Chonchúir and Hannah O’Donoghue white flags saw Kerry change ends 0-7 to 0-3 ahead.

The pattern of the second period mimicked that of the first and Kerry maintained a healthy 0-10 to 0-5 lead before Shauna Cronin received a yellow card 10 minutes from the end.

A deluge of substitutions included the introduction of Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh and the 2023 Footballer of the Year swiftly kicked a point and a free.

Two Katie Quirke frees offered brief respite but Cork were powerless to prevent late Hannah O’Donoghue and Danielle O’Leary goals from sealing the most convincing of Kerry wins.

Scorers for Kerry: H O’Donoghue 1-3, D O’Leary 1-2, N Carmody 0-3 (0-3 f), E Dineen, L Ní Mhuircheartaigh (0-1 f), 0-2 each, N Ní Chonchúir, L Scanlon 0-1 each.

Cork: K Quirke 0-6 (0-5 f), L O’Mahony 0-1.

KERRY: M.E. Bolger; E Lynch, D Kearney, C O’Brien; A O’Connell, C Lynch, C McCarthy; A Harrington, M O’Connell; N Carmody (captain), N Ní Chonchúir, A Galvin; K Brosnan, E Dineen, H O’Donoghue.

Subs: D O’Leary for K Brosnan (23), L Scanlon for M O’Donnell (ht), C Murphy for C McCarthy (43), L Ní Mhuircheartaigh for N Ní Chonchúir (45), A Ryan for L O’Mahony (49), E Hurley for D Kiely (51), J Gill for N Carmody (55), F O’Donoghue for D Kearney (57), B O’Connor for A O’Connell (57), R Smith for A Harrington (60), E O’Connor for A Galvin (60), J Lucey for E Dineen (60).

CORK: S Murphy; L Coppinger, S Leahy, D Kiniry; M Duggan, M O’Callaghan (captain), K Redmond; A McDonagh, S Cronin; D Kiely, H Looney, L O’Mahony; S O’Leary, K Quirke, E Cleary.

Subs: E Jack for A McDonagh (42), R Corkery for E Cleary (42), L McDonagh for S O’Leary (45), A O’Mahony for H Looney (45)

Referee: Paul McCaughey (Westmeath).