Mark Bourke: 'If the environment is right, then all I have to worry about is the facilitating of the training sessions and the game plan'

THIRTEENTH TITLE: Kerry claimed their 13th Divisin 1 title when they saw off Armagh in Croke Park.  Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Lidl Ladies NFL Division 1 final: Kerry 4-14 Armagh 0-11

Three first half goals inspired Kerry to their thirteenth Lidl LGFA National Football League Division 1 title at Croke Park on Saturday.

In a one-sided affair, the 2024 TG4 All-Ireland senior champions gained revenge for last year’s Division 1 final loss at the hands of the Orchard County.

A first half surge instigated by Danielle O’Leary, Jadyn Lucey and Niamh Carmody green flags

Mark Bourke’s charges showed enough flashes of brilliance to suggest a fourth consecutive All-Ireland final appearance is an attainable goal.

“You know, they (players) bought into everything straight away, the environment was outstanding to begin with," new Kerry LGFA manager Mark Bourke commented.

“If the environment is right, then all I have to worry about is the facilitating of the training sessions and the game plan.” 

This league final defeat will sting an Armagh team that began their Division 1 campaign with victory in Tralee.

“Obviously, we’ll have to regroup now after that,” Armagh joint-manager Darnelle Parkinson stated.

“But, look, we’re not a bad team overnight. We’re not a bad team off the back of that one performance there. It’s very much a case of now the real hard work starts.” 

Kerry were quickest out of the blocks with Niamh Carmody finding the top corner inside 7 minutes.

A Síofra O’Shea free preceded a second Kerry goal when Danielle O’Leary converted her rebounded shot that came back off an upright. Niamh Carmody’s point made it 2-2 to 0-0 after 17 one-sided minutes.

Armagh, previously unable to get anything going, reeled off three unanswered scores as Lauren McConville and Eve Lavery (two) found their range.

Jaydn Lucey and Niamh Henderson exchanged points, as did Danielle O’Leary and Niamh Reel (free) towards the end of the opening half.

There was still time for Kerry to hit the net for a third time as Jaydn Lucey notched a fortuitous effort to send the Kingdom in 3-4 to 0-5 up at the short whistle.

The Ulster side upped their game on the resumption of play but saw a certain goal denied when Kayleigh Cronin cleared off the Kerry goal-line.

The same player added to a Danielle O’Leary score before Jadyn Lucy ended any faint hopes of an Armagh comeback by goaling on 37 minutes.

Niamh Carmody, Síofra O’Shea and Niamh Ní Chonchúir efforts piled on the misery for an overworked Armagh defence prior to a welcome Caoimhe McNally point at the opposite end.

A late flurry of scores saw Kerry run out the most convincing of winners. On to the championship.

Scorers for Kerry: D O’Leary (1-5); J Lucey (2-1); N Carmody (1-2); S O’Shea (0-3, 0-2 frees); K Cronin, N Ní Chonchúir, R Dwyer (0-1 each).

Scorers for Armagh: N Reel (0-5, 0-4 frees); E Lavery (0-2); L McConville, N Henderson, C McNally, K Mallon (0-1 each).

KERRY: M.E. Bolger; R Rahilly, D Kearney, E Lynch; A O’Connell, K Cronin, A Dillane; M O’Connell, A Galvin (captain); C Evans, N Ní Chonchúir, N Carmody; D O’Leary, S O’Shea, J Lucey.

Subs: L Boyle for N Carmody (45); R Dwyer for J Lucey (45); C McCarthy for A Dillane (51); F O’Donoghue for R Rahilly (53); N Quinn for N Ní Chonchúir (57).

ARMAGH: A Carr; M Ferguson, C McCambridge (captain), L Kenny; L McConville, C Towe, R Mulligan; N Coleman, C O’Hanlon; E Druse, B Mackin, E Lavery; N Reel, A McCoy, N Henderson.

Subs: G Ferguson for L Kenny (inj, 11); K Mallon for E Druse (40); C McNally for E Lavery (40); E McGeown for N Coleman (53); M McCann for C Towe (57).

Referee: Shane Curley (Galway).