Player ratings: How Kerry and Galway performed in the All-Ireland final
HUGE ROLE: Aishling O'Connell of Kerry is tackled by Olivia Divilly of Galway. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
The Kerry custodian’s afternoon was made much easier by the outstanding performances of those in front of her, but when she needed to spring off her line and close down Marta Banek in the second half, she was lively and ready.
Took on the momentous task of shackling the threat posed by Róisín Leonard, and did so brilliantly. Never gave an inch to westerners’ top scorer and came up with a couple of big dispossessions.
Started out marking Leanne Coen, but switched over to Emma Reaney when it was clear that Coen was going to look to get involved in a deeper role. Held her ground on the edge of the square when she needed to and was utterly impenetrable.
If she meant to float that shot over Dearbhla Gower, then we’d revise this number up by one – but old age has made this reporter skeptical. Still made some excellent breaks forward and revelled in the freedom offered by Galway leaving only two players up top.
Also had a huge role to play as the designated defender opposite Olivia Divilly, and she monstered the task, coming up with turnover wins and forcing Divilly to run in directions that she simply didn’t want to go. Her second half block on Róisín Leonard was emphatic statement of defiance.
Looked to hold the centre back position and ensure that Galway couldn’t run through the middle unchecked. It worked perfectly, even if it meant Murphy wasn’t in the limelight that much, and Declan Quill was hugely enthused about the value of her contribution afterwards.
Another important “stopping” job up against Niamh Divilly, and Divilly’s early withdrawal spoke volumes about how well the Austin Stacks player performed.
Her point early in the second half was crucial in cutting off a potential Galway comeback at source, as it cancelled out Olivia Divilly’s initial point and settled Kerry’s nerves. That was the high point in an otherwise workmanlike display.
Kicked a crucial point early on when nerves looked like they might start to become an issue, and over the course of the hour she got through a world of work up and down the pitch.
Like Galvin, she put one score on the board but the rest of her display was all about dogging it out in the trenches.
Went for a couple of Hollywood passes, some of which worked out and some of which didn’t – but was a key provider of good deliveries into the inside forward line throughout.
Emptied her tank on the field and it was notable that after she was withdrawn, Charlotte Cooney seemed to make a lot more inroads driving forward from her sector of the field. Got a couple of assists in an otherwise quiet showing.
Often made the first run to pull the defence out of shape rather than the run to win the ball so played her part, but will be disappointed that she didn’t convert at least one chance.
As ‘first receiver’, she enjoyed a world of space and had a great battle with Sarah Lynch, but aside from her three scores, she was a key provider of chances, both from her passes and from drawing fouls.
Made her possessions count, showed good composure from frees, and also chipped in with two points from play, before playing deeper in the second half while still setting up Hannah O’Donoghue’s goal.
Overhit one pass and put it over the end line, but otherwise was foot-perfect. Scored a goal with her first possession and carried on in the same vein, living out the spirit of “making your minutes count”. Her assist for Emma Dineen’s goal was delightful.
Didn’t get to impact the game to the same extent, but her catch on a kickout will live forever on the highlight reels.
Katie Brosnan, Cáit Lynch, Kate O‘Sullivan: Not on long enough to be rated.
Did well with her kickouts in a difficult spot in the first half, but there’s no getting away from the disappointment she’ll feel at conceding that goal to Aoife Dillane.
Had her good moments against an elite opponent in Louise Ní Muircheartaigh, but was turned a couple of times too.
In a tough spot against Emma Dineen, all too often one-on-one with 20 metres of open space on all sides, she won plenty of turnovers and made it an even contest.
A proper corner back’s display, touch tight and incredibly disciplined at all times. Couldn’t have done more.
Galway needed so much more from her going forward, and she couldn’t find a way to get into the game.
Showed for plenty of kickouts, tried to inject energy into proceedings and picked up a couple of good breaks into the bargain.
Had no troubles on the defensive side and seemed well capable of breaking a tackle and opening up the Kerry defence. Her point was fair reward for a tenacious display.
Dropped back to cover defensively and played her part in Galway’s transition play, but there was no doubting which team dominated the midfield battle.
The game was long gone by the time she picked up her late yellow card and it was a symptom of the Galway captain doing everything she could to try and shift the tide, even though it really wasn’t working out for her.
Chipped in with one good second half point but struggled to get on the ball and needed to put more pressure on the Kerry defence with her pace and footwork. Capable of so much more.
It’s a harsh rating in the sense that she never hid, never stopped trying and was relentless in her effort, but the stats will read very harshly, a huge amount of her possessions ended in turnovers.
Looked like Galway’s only real attacking threat for long stretches, but still didn’t break lines as often as the team needed.
Took on a couple of shots that were low percentage, and they never threatened the posts. Andrea Trill was a much bigger threat after coming in.
Came outfield trying to operate as a playmaker, but the game largely passed her by.
By her own high standards, this was a very poor outing. Kerry identified her as the leading attacking threat early and with Eilis Lynch doing a brilliant job on her while cover was never far away, she was beaten all ends up.
Tried to run at the Kerry defence and got some joy doing so, even if there wasn’t always an end product.
Came in at the back to try and inject some impetus, but it didn’t really happen.
Always seemed to be outnumbered and still broke through on goal a couple of times. If she had nailed that first chance with her left, it could have been a different game.
Quite involved and kicked a good score. Definitely added something, despite coming in just as Galway were reduced to 14 players.
Didn’t get on the ball in the positions needed to try and make things happen.
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