Rachel Dwyer: Kingdom driven by pain of 2025

Rachel Dwyer of Kerry during the Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 Round 1 match between Dublin and Kerry. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Last year's All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Meath has deepened Kerry resolve for the 2026 campaign, says Rachel Dwyer.

“There is that disappointment there and it’s something that we don’t want to get this year. It’s just kind of taking games as we go and trying to push ourselves. There is great competition in training, which drives the standards up. The main thing for us is to build our consistent performances and build the foundations for ourselves to move us on for championship.

“You have the team-mates that have the All-Ireland, but you have the hunger now to want to do that just like them. They have that hunger now as well because they know that feeling. It’s definitely a driving force to have what we want this year as well.” 

Amidst torrential conditions at JYSK Park in Clondalkin last Saturday, Kerry began their quest for a second successive Lidl NFL Division 1 crown with a 2-9 to 0-9 success over All-Ireland champions Dublin. Starting at left half-forward, Dwyer helped herself to a brace of points in an accomplished individual display.

Next up for the Kingdom is their first competitive home game of 2026 against Waterford at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney on Monday (throw-in 2pm). The Déise are a side that have taken huge strides in recent years and with a fine victory of their own at the expense of Armagh in round one of the league, Dwyer is anticipating a tough challenge from their Munster rivals.

“Even from a club point of view, we played against the likes of Emma Murray and they’re brilliant players. As a team, they’ve really come on now in the last few years as well. They definitely wouldn’t be a team to underestimate either and they bring a good physicality to the game. It will be something we’ll have to work on for the next day as well,” Dwyer added.