Late Derry goal break Kerry hearts

Under new manager John Madden, Kerry looked like they might hang on to a three-point lead, thanks to a dominant first-half display with a strong wind, but it wasn't to be.

Meath's Tracy King and Aine McAllister of Derry. Pic: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

Division 2A: Kerry 1-10 Derry 2-8

Kerry suffered a heartbreaking loss to Derry in this must-win Very Camogie League Division 2A game played in blustery conditions at Hermitage Park, Lixnaw on Saturday afternoon.

Under new manager John Madden, Kerry looked like they might hang on to a three-point lead, thanks to a dominant first-half display with a strong wind.

Then, with a minute of normal time remaining, Derry struck for a killer goal that was finished to the net by Jackie Donnelly to level the contest at 1-10 to 2-7.

A draw was no good to the Kerry girls and when they went in search of a winner in added time, but an interception by Derry’s Niamh Quinn saw the sliotar reach Orlaith Hull, who fired over the winning point. 

Kerry did have a final attack but the outstanding Patrice Diggin was penalised for charging as she drove through the middle and received a second yellow. 

It mattered little as Derry held on for a victory that did not look likely with five minutes remaining, and they now face Offaly in the League final in two weeks in Croke Park.

It was looking very promising for the Kingdom girls at half-time as they used the wind to build up a 1-9 to 1-2 lead. Diggin converted five first-half frees, including one from her own 65. 

Kate Lynch fired over two points and Amy O’Sullivan gave another exhibitions, scoring 1-2. Her goal in the 19th minute was a class finish.

Derry were living off scraps but were gifted a goal in the 15th minute when a loose clearance was collected by Eabha McElhinney and she finished to an empty net.

Orlaith Hull with two frees was the only other Derry scorer as Kerry, despite having to face the wind would have been fancying their chances.

But Derry kept narrowing the gap mainly from the stick of free taker Hull and it was the 38th minute before Sinead McGill fired over Derry’s first point from play.

The introduction of Anna McDaid, who had missed out starting due to injury, changed the momentum in the visitors’ favour, while Kerry just could not get enough ball to Amy O’Sullivan. 

But Caoimhe Spillane, Niamh Leen, Sara Murphy, Aoife Behan and Rachel McCarthy were magnificent until that late Derry rally that proved decisive.

Scorers for Kerry: P Diggin (0-6 frees), A O’Sullivan (1-2), K Lynch (0-2).

Scorers for Derry: O Hull (0-6, 5fs), E McElhinney (1-1), J Donnelly (1-0), S McGill (0-1).

Kerry: A Fitzgerald; M Costello, S Murphy, R McCarthy; R Quinn, N Leen, A Behan; C Spillane, P Diggin; R O’Connor, K Lynch, A M Leen; S Collins, A O’Sullivan, E Conway.

Subs: K Ryan for E Conway (h/t), E O’Donoghue for A M Leen (h/t), A McCarthy for S Collins ( 48), A O’Connor for R Quinn ( 50), T Burke for R O’Connor (59).

Derry: N Gribbin; E Doherty; R Cassidy, L Lennon; C Ni Mhianain, N Quinn, R Bradley; A McGill, R McAllister; S McGill, C Kerr, E McElhinney; J Donnelly, A Lennon, O Hull.

Subs: A McDaid for A McGill (41), A McOscar for C Kerr (52).

Referee: A Hogg (Clare).