Scanlon the star turn as ruthless Desmonds demolish Southern Gaels

It was a final long-time Desmonds and Kerry star Lorraine Scanlon will never forget as everything she did turned to gold.

Sun, 06 Oct, 2024 - 22:12

Murt Murphy, Tralee

Kerry Senior Ladies SFC final: Castleisland Desmonds 3-14 Southern Gaels 1-9

Castleisland Desmonds demolished odds-on favourites Southern Gaels with a ruthless display that saw them grab the early initiative and never let up until the final whistle of this one-sided Senior Ladies SFC final

The match was played in diabolical weather at the Austin Stack Park on Sunday evening under lights. But it was a final long-time Desmonds and Kerry star Lorraine Scanlon will never forget as everything she did turned to gold.

She not only scored three points from midfield but her influence extended from box to box, as commanding a county final display as seen in recent times.

In truth it was a complete performance from this well-oiled Desmonds machine. Kudos to manager Dan Kearney, who devised a game plan to defeat a misfiring Gaels side who had beaten Desmonds by nine points in the group stages.

The Desmonds attack converted 10 from 12 chances (84%), a conversion rate that would win you any game. Desmonds used the wind to telling effect in the opening half and built up a sizeable 11-point advantage. 2-9 to 0-4. Gaels were never going to be able to bridge that gap.

Played under the lights of the county ground, Desmonds were always in control having made a lightning start. Andrea Murphy was pivotal to the opening goal as she cut through the defence before passing to Julia Curtin for a tap-in finish.

The Castleisland blitzkrieg continued and a second goal was soon on the board. Labhaoise Walmsley turned the ball over and played a quick one-two with Andrea Murphy before burying the ball past Mary Ellen Bolger.

The third goal came in the 39th minute, ending any faint hopes of a Gaels comeback. A kickout from Mary Ellen Bolger was wayward and as she rushed to get back on her line, Aisling Leonard calmly carried towards goal and finished to the net.

Siofra O’Shea scored a consolation goal for Southern Gaels, but it was too little too late.

Former Irish rugby captain Ciara O’Sullivan (née Griffin) was on hand as Desmonds skipper to collect the cup from Nora Fealey, chairperson of Kerry LGFA.

Scorers for Desmonds: Julia Curtin 1-4 (4f); Aisling Leonard 1-2; Labhaoise Walmsley 1-1; Lorraine Scanlon 0-3; Andrea Murphy, Ciara O’Sullivan, Leah Griffin, Amy Curtin 0-1 each.

Scorers for Southern Gaels: Siofra O’Shea 1-2; Rachel Dwyer 0-4; Ellie O’Connell 0-2, Aoife Dwyer 0-1.

CASTLEISLAND DESMONDS: J Drumm, S Murphy, E Murphy, H Herlihy, L Griffin, K O’Connor, H Bourke, L Scanlon, C Lynch, C O’Sullivan (capt), A Murphy, A Leonard, L Walmsley, A Curtin, J Curtin.

Subs: O’Connor for Herlihy (38), G Kearney for Bourke (46), N Walsh for J Curtin (54), R Cronin for A Curtin (57), L Cox for A Murphy (60), K O’Sullivan for O’Connor (temp, 60).

SOUTHERN GAELS: M E Bolger, K Furey, S Fitzpatrick, C Quinlan, E O’Sullivan (capt), D Kelly, A Galvin, J Curran, M Lyons, S O’Shea, J Gill, E O’Connell, M O’Connell, R Dwyer

Subs: C Murphy for Gill (37), C McCrohan for Lyons (42), S Fitzgerald for M O’Connell (49), A Dwyer (0-1) for Furey (56), E Murphy for R Dwyer (58).