Kerry's emphatic start burns off Cork as champions impress in Cloughduv

An imperious first half display, aided by a strong wind and Danielle O’Leary’s fourth minute goal, saw the Kingdom build an unassailable 1-11 to 0-3 interval lead

Sat, 26 Apr, 2025 - 16:36

Ger McCarthy

TG4 Munster SFC: Cork 0-10 Kerry 1-13

Not that we needed reminding, but Kerry’s TG4 Munster LGFA SFC win over Cork underlined why the reigning National League, provincial and All-Ireland senior champions will take some stopping in 2025.

An imperious first half display, aided by a strong wind and Danielle O’Leary’s fourth minute goal, saw the Kingdom build an unassailable 1-11 to 0-3 interval lead in Cloughduv.

Having to withstand a second half comeback from their opponents, two second half frees were enough for the Kingdom to start their Munster campaign with a merited victory.

Throughout the opening half hour, Danielle O’Leary, Rachel Dwyer and Siofra O’Shea’s movement and scoring ability was as impressive as the eventual winners no-nonsense defending.

That 11-point advantage permitted Kerry manager Mark Bourke the luxury of withdrawing Dwyer and Niamh Broderick before the break.

In contrast, Cork were forced to introduce Aoife Healy and Libby Coppinger before the short whistle had shrilled. That duo, along with fellow dual star Hannah Looney plus injured captain Sara Leahy were amongst four changes to Cork’s starting line-up.

Yet there were enough positives in Saturday’s defeat, not least a superb second half effort, to suggest the Rebels can reach a Munster final.Tipperary and Waterford will have plenty to say about that over the coming weeks.

Playing against the wind, Cork got off to the worst possible start when Danielle O’Leary found the net inside 4 minutes.

Using a strong wind, Kerry added three points before Lydia McDonagh got Cork off the mark.

The remainder of the opening half followed the first 10 minutes’ pattern as Kerry’s long range shooting saw the All-Ireland champions change ends eleven points clear.

O’Leary, Siofra O’Shea, Kate Brosnan, Caoimhe Evans and Rachel Dwyer did the damage with Katie Quirke and Melissa Duggan providing Cork’s additional responses.

In the second half, it was Cork who utilised the elements better, restricting Kerry to a brace of Siofra O’Shea frees.

Libby Coppinger had a goal chance denied by Kerry goalkeeper Mary Ellen Bolger and Aoife Healy had penalty claims waved away despite being hauled down in the square.

Despite Quirke finishing with six points, Cork were unable to close the gap and Kerry headed back over the county bounds with a deserved Munster SFC victory under their belts.

Scorers for Kerry: S O’Shea (0-6, 0-4 frees), D O’Leary (1-3), C Evans (0-2), K Brosnan, R Dwyer (0-1 each).

Scorers for Cork: K Quirke (0-6, 0-5 frees); L McDonagh, M Duggan, A Ring, E Cleary (0-1 each).

KERRY: M E Bolger; F O’Donoghue, D KEarney, E Lynch; A O’Connell, N Broderick, A Dillane; M O’Connell, A Galvin; C Evans, N Ní Conchúir, K Brosnan; D O’Leary, R Dwyer, S O’Shea.

Substitutes: N Carmody for R Dwyer (ht); C Lynch (captain) for N Broderick (ht); J Lucey for K Brosnan (40); R Rahilly for C Evans (52); L Boyle for D O’Leary (60).

CORK: S Murphy; D Kiniry, S Kelly, M Duggan; E O’Shea, S Cronin, R Corkery; A O’Mahony, S McGoldrick; A Corcoran, L O’Mahony, E Cleary (captain); A Ring, L McDonagh, K Quirke.

Substitutes: A Healy for S McGoldrick (26); L Coppinger for A Corcoran (26); L Hallihan for L McDonagh (40); C O’Shea for R Corkery (52); H Looney for L O’Mahony (52).

Referee: Patrick Smith (Waterford).