Kerry top Division 2 after hard fought win over dogged Carlow

Kerry's Jackie Horgan celebrates. Pic: Leah Scholes/Inpho

Centra National Camogie League Div 2: Kerry 1-12 Carlow 1-9

Thanks to a first half masterclass from Jackie Horgan and Amy O’Sullivan, Kerry just about repelled a ferocious second half fightback from Carlow in the driving Tralee rain at Austin Stack Park.

The win puts Kerry at the summit of Division 2, unbeaten on seven points. However, The chasing pack have a game in hand.

Kerry faces Westmeath at home next Sunday in a game that could decide whether they will make the league final or not.

Kerry were dominant in the opening quarter with Caoimhe Spillane and Patrice Diggin driving them on from midfield. Two Diggin frees and points from Jackie Horgan and Amy O’Sullivan set Kerry on their way with Roisin Joyce providing a Carlow response.

Worse was to follow for the visitors in the 14th minute when Amy O’Sullivan collected near the side line, sent Horgan through and watched as she buried the ball in the far corner of the Carlow net.

Horgan added another point soon after giving Kerry a 1-7 to 0-3 lead at the interval, looking to be in complete control.

Kerry missed the physicality and ball winning abilities of Danielle O'Leary who was taken off at half time. Carlow took control for a period of time early in the second period, firing over four unanswered points from Eleanor Treacy, Sarah Sheehan, Ciara Kavanagh and Roisin Joyce to close the gap to four. 

An Amy O’Sullivan point restored Kerry’s five point lead but in the 40th minute a well-taken goal by Joyce had Carlow within two points of the home side and it was game on. 

Two quick points from Diggin and O’Sullivan pushed Kerry 1-11 to 1-7 in front. Carlow still refused to lie down.

The turning point of the game came midway through the half when Aimee Nolan slalomed her way through the heart of the Kerry defence only for Patrice Diggin to step in, hook Nolan and the clear the ball.

Dogged defending by Sara Murphy, Niamh Leen and Rachel McCarthy managed to help the Kingdom survive a nervy finish. 

Scorers for Kerry: J Horgan (1-3), P Diggin (0-6, 5fs), A O’Sullivan (0-3). 

Scorers for Carlow: R Joyce (1-2), E Treacy (0-3, 2fs, 1x45), M Kavanagh, C Jordan, C Kavanagh and A Nolan (0-1 each).

KERRY: A Fitzgerald; M Costello, S Murphy, R McCarthy; R Quinn, N Leen, E O’Donoghue; P Diggin, C Spillane; L Collins, R O’Connor, K Lynch; A O’Sullivan, J Horgan, D O’Leary.

Subs: S Collins for D O’Leary (h/t), A Devlin for R Quinn (40), E Conway for L Collins (43), A McCarthy for K Lynch (53), K Ryan for R McCarthy (56). 

CARLOW: E O’Hara; R Breen, M Nolan, G Doyle; N Canavan, R Kelly, C Coady; M Kavanagh , E Treacy; E Sinnott, C Jordan, S Sheahan; C Kavanagh, R Joyce, A Nolan.

Subs: A Coady for E Sinnott (45), C Lawler for M Kavanagh (53).

Referee: M Ryan (Tipperary).