First-half goals see Kingdom into intermediate camogie quarters
The victory guarantees Kerry a quarter-final spot at a minimum.
Two first-half goals by Kerry were enough to see off the challenge of a gutsy Carlow side at Hermitage Park Lixnaw on Saturday afternoon and Brian Darcy’s charges sit proudly on top of the table. This result also guarantees Kerry a quarter-final spot at a minimum and depending on results over the next two weekends, they could even end up in the semi-finals.
Kerry played with the wind in the opening half and points from Ruth O’Connor and Jackie Horgan saw them move 0-2 to 0-0 in front.
Aibha Kiernan responded for Carlow and then Niamh Quinn scored a beauty from the sideline after a Kate Lynch pass. But Carlow rocked the home side when a speculative effort at a point by Holly Wall ended up in the Kerry net.
But Kerry appeared to be stung into action by the goal and they assumed complete control as they added 2-4 without reply over the next 15 minutes. Laura Collins, Ellen O’Donoghue and two from Amy O’Sullivan saw Kerry in complete control. Then in the 18th minute Kate Lynch found Amy O’Sullivan inside the Carlow defence and she blasted the sliothar to the bottom corner. Then Kerry struck for a second goal in the 22nd minute when Kate Lynch rifled the ball to the bottom corner and the home side moved 2-7 to 1-1 in front.
Credit Carlow for finishing the half well and three points were added by Eleanor Tracey (free), Ciara Kavanagh and Rebecca Kelly to close the gap and while Ellen O’Donoghue completed the first half scoring that saw Kerry lead 2-8 to 1-4 at half time.
The visitors needed to make a good start to the second half but the introduction of Patrice Diggin saw Kerry add early points from Anne Marie Leen and Diggin as Kerry moved further clear. Carlow did look more dangerous with Kate Nolan on the edge of the square and she was fouled for Treacy to convert.
But the Kerry defence with Rachel McCarthy, Sara Murphy and Niamh Leen repelling Carlow attacks, the visitors were over reliant on Eleanor Treacy frees as Kerry eased to a nine point win and with a draw in a later throw in time between Killkenny and Dublin, ensuring that Kerry sit alone on top with 12 point, makes the win all the sweeter for the Kingdom girls.
An O’Sullivan (1-2), L Collins and K Lynch (1-1 each), J Horgan (1f), E O’Donoghue and P Diggin (1f) 0-2 each, R Quinn, R O’Connor and A M Leen (0-1 each).
E Treacy (0-4 frees), H Wall (1-0), R Kelly (0-2), C Coady, A Kiernan, C Kavanagh and K Nolan (0-1 each)
A Fitzgerald; R McCarthy, N Leen, C O’Sullivan; R Quinn, S Murphy, A Behan; C Spillane, R O’Connor; L Collins, K Lynch, AM Leen; A O’Sullivan, J Horgan, E O’Donoghue.
Subs: P Diggin for C Spillane (h/t), A McCarthy for J Horgan (46), A O’Connor for A Behan (55), N Casey for E O’Donoghue (56), N Quinn for A M Leen (56)
C Kavanagh; N Canavan, R Breen, G Doyle; M O’Donoghue, A Breen, M O’Shea; C Coady, E Treacy; E Sinnott, A Kiernan, R Kelly; C Kavanagh, A Murphy, H Wall.
Subs: K Nolan for A Murphy (h/t), S Sheehan for A Kiernan (46)
K Collins (Galway)
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