Shannon Collins goal key as Kerry seal final win and promotion

The super sub made the difference as the Kingdom mounted a fightback. 

Meath's Leah Devine with Shannon Collins of Kerry battle for possession. Pic: INPHO/Tom O’Hanlon

Kerry 1-7 Meath 0-8 

Kerry produced a stirring second-half fightback to defeat Meath in this keenly contested Centra Division 2 Camogie final, played at a windswept Bannagher on Saturday afternoon. 

The result also means that the Kingdom will be playing Division 1 hurling next year.

It was a game that was very physical and spoiled somewhat by the wind. Meath, who played with the elements in the opening half, retired 0-6 to 0-2 in front but did not have a big enough of a lead at half time to stave off the Kerry fightback.

Kerry were not at the their best up front and they could even afford to miss a penalty and still win as Meath could only muster two second-half points, both from Roisin Heaney.

Patrice Diggin top scored with seven points although she will not be best pleased at having her penalty brilliantly saved by Meath keeper Maggie Randle, midway through the second half.

Diggin gave Kerry the ideal start with a pointed free inside the opening minutes after Amy O’Sullivan was fouled. Meath, with Sophie Payne excelling in defence and Emma Regan along with Ciara Foley causing the Kerry defence some discomfort, were soon up and running with a Heaney 45 after a huge block by Sara Murphy on Foley as she looked for an early goal.

Emma Regan then added two points from play but Kerry though mounting a number of attacks were repelled by some superb Meath defending. Caoimhe Spillane was winning good ruck ball while Diggin’s leadership was always to the fore.

Two Heaney frees saw Meath move 0-5 to 0-1 in front but they needed more as the wind to their backs was a major factor.

Diggin added a Kerry free before half time, while Heaney responded in kind as Meath led 0-6 to 0-2 at the interval.

Kerry with the wind, dominated possession for most of the third quarter but only had a Diggin free to show for it as Jackie Horgan struck the post and then in the 43rd minute, Kerry were awarded a harsh looking penalty for a push on Horgan but Maggie Randle saved the day brilliantly.

Heaney then added a superb point from near the sideline and it was 0-7 to 0-3 at the end of the third quarter. But Kerry and Diggin in particular raised their game with three subs appearing to give the Kingdom new impetus as dual player Danielle O’Leary appeared to unsettle Meath.

Diggin added a point from play and a free and in the 55th minute an Amy O’Sullivan sideline was not cleared and super sub, Shannon Collins finish to the net and suddenly Kerry were in front 1-5 to 0-7 but Meath refused to give up as Heaney leveled from a free.

But Kerry now with their tails up went for broke and after Diggin converted a 45 to restore Kerry’s lead, the same player pushed Kerry two clear and over the line after Randle denied Jackie Horgan a goal with another incredible save. Kerry repeated their Division 2 league final win of 2022 by a margin of one point more this time.

Scorers: Kerry: P Diggin (0-7, 4fs, 2’45’s). S Collins (1-0) Meath: R Heaney (0-6, 4’s. 1’45), E Regan (0-2) 

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

Subs: S Collins for K Lynch (43), D O’Leary for E Conway (43), A Behan for R Quinn (43).

MEATH: M Randle; S Payne, M Clince, R Moran; L Devine, A Donnelly, R O’Neill; A Lally, E Burke; O O’Halloran, A Carey, R Heaney; E Regan, C Foley, E O’Brien.

Subs: I O’Connor for a Carey (17), G Connelly for A Lally (45).

Referee: J McAllister (Antrim)