Kerry's troubled times fuelling Kearney's hunger to make her mark

Seeing Kerry back in All-Ireland finals reawakened something.

Sadhbh O'Leary of Cork in action against Deirdre Kearney of Kerry. Pic: ©INPHO/Natasha Barton

WHEN Kerry joint managers Declan Quill and Darragh Long sat down at the start of the year they needed to find a replacement retired centre-back Emma Costello, a position that had troubled Kerry down the years and a position that needed a lion hearted, fearless and dominant figure.

Their first thought was to move outstanding full-back Kayleigh Cronin to the pivotal position and give Deirdre Kearney from the Na Gaeil club, who had not played in 2023, a shot at the number three slot.