O’Leary shines for Kerry in comeback win over Cork
Kerry captain Niamh Carmody raises the trophy after defeating Cork in the TG4 Munster LGFA senior A final at Mallow. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
A most entertaining TG4 Munster Senior A ladies football championship final eventually went the way of Kerry in Mallow on Saturday.
The favourites ensured the silverware is heading to the Kingdom for the first time since 2017.
A brace of goals - one in either half - from Emma Dineen were key, as was the contribution of Danielle O’Leary who finished with an impressive total of 0-10 (nine from play).
It was far from easy though for the winners, who trailed by three points at the break, their second half fightback was commendable.
There was one change to the Cork team that was announced with Rachel Leahy replacing Katie O’Driscoll, while Dineen started instead of the injured Cáit Lynch and Lorraine Scanlon came in for Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh in a re-jigged Kerry line-out - Ní Mhuircheartaigh was fit enough to be introduced in the second half.
Kerry, who’ve had the upper hand over their neighbours this year, started promisingly with O’Leary pointing in the fourth and 10th minute. O’Leary was on hand again two minutes later to link with Scanlon for a three-point lead. The aerial prowess of inside forwards Scanlon and Dineen advantageous.
However, there was a distinct shift in momentum once Katie Quirke opened the Cork scoring near the quarter-hour mark, the Rebels who were seeking five consecutive titles took control up to the half-hour mark.
It was Rachel Leahy and Melissa Duggan who drew Shane Ronayne’s charges level before two Quirke frees and one from play from Laura O’Mahony saw them lead by double scores.
Another trio of unanswered white flags from Quirke (twice) and O’Mahony pushed Cork 0-9 to 0-3 in front.
Kerry finished the half as they started, and a late scoring burst of 1-1 to 0-1 in stoppage was a significant boost as Dineen rose highest to fist a goal in the 35th minute to leave the score 0-10 to 1-4 at the interval.
Joint Kerry managers Declan Quill and Darragh Long made two changes for the second half with Ciara Butler coming in as goalkeeper, while Amy Harrington replaced Eilís O’Connor.
A point apiece maintained the three-point gap, but three-in-a-row from the in-form O’Leary drew the teams level for the first time since the 16th minute, 1-8 to 0-11 - and all to play for.
The contribution of sub Ní Mhuircheartaigh from play edged her team ahead, and an unanswered run of points had them three to the good with 10 minutes remaining.
They were hitting the ground running now, the lead increased further when Dineen got in for her second goal in the 51st minute, her low shot to the corner put them 2-11 to 0-11 up, as Cork went 20 minutes without a score.
Coming down the stretch, the result was never in doubt.
As runners-up, Cork go on to the All-Ireland series in a group with Galway and Laois, whilethe new Munster champions are in a group with Waterford and the winners of Sunday’s Ulster final between Armagh and Donegal.
D O’Leary (0-10, 0-1 free), E Dineen (2-0), L Ni Mhuircheartaigh (0-3, 0-2 frees), N Carmody (0-2).
K Quirke (0-7, 0-5 frees), L O’Mahony (0-2), R Leahy, M Duggan, A Healy and L McDonagh (0-1 each).
M E Bolger; E Lynch, K Cronin, C Murphy; A O'Connell, E Dineen, E O'Connor; M O'Connell, A Galvin; N Carmody (capt), N Ní Chonchúir, D Kearney; K Brosnan, D O'Leary, L Scanlon.
C Butler for M E Bolger, A Harrington for E O’Connor (both half-time), L Ní Mhuircheartaigh for K Brosnan (39), A Dillane for N Ní Chonchúir (62).
S Murphy; M Duggan, D Kiniry, A Ryan; S Leahy, A Healy, D Kiely; M O'Callaghan (capt.), A O'Mahony; E Cleary, L O’Mahony, A McDonagh; L McDonagh, K Quirke, R Leahy.
S McGoldrick for S Leahy (40), K O’Driscoll for A McDonagh (42), S Kelly for A O’Mahony (44), L Hallihan for L McDonagh (52), S O’Leary for D Kiely (58).
Patrick Smith (Waterford).
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