Kerry storm into Munster final with second-half demolition of Cork

A nip-and-tuck first half gave way to a Kerry masterclass in the second period.

Siobhan Callanan of Cork passes the ball ahead of Niamh Ni Chonchuir, Siofra O’Shea and Leah McMahon of Kerry during the TG4 Munster Senior Ladies Football Championship round 3 match between Kerry and Cork at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney, Kerry. Photo by Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

Munster LGFA SFC: Kerry 1-16 Cork 0-8

In the battle of old rivals Kerry and Cork, both sides had to go for the jugular at sun-splashed Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday in this vital Munster LGFA SFC round robin game. This was a slow burner with both sides trading points as Kerry almost struck for an early goal when Leah McMahon was denied by a superb Caoimhe Richmond save. 

McMahon opened Kerry’s account a minute later. Emma Cleary then scored an equaliser following a superb save by Mary Ellen Bolger, before Kerry moved 0-3 to 0-1 in front thanks to points from Niamh Carmody and Jayden Lucey. 

Katie Quaker narrowed the gap. Niamh Ni Chonchúir pushed Kerry 0-4 to 0-2 clear but Cork enjoyed their best spell when they scored four unanswered points in a ten-minute spell through Katie Quirke (2), Emma Cleary and wing back Rosie Corkery.

Kerry finished the half with gusto with three points from Jayden Lucey, Niamh Ni Chonchúir and Anna Galvin to lead 0-7 to 0-6 at half-time, and the large crowd was looking forward to mouthwatering ding dong second half.

But what followed were a complete takeover by Kerry and a collapse by the Rebelettes who failed to score until two late points from Katie Quirke.

CELEBRATING: Aoife Dillane, Emma Costello and Caoimhe Evans of Kerry celebrate after winning the TG4 Munster Senior Ladies Football Championship round 3 match between Kerry and Cork at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney, Kerry. Photo by Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

With Danielle O’Leary now at the edge of the square causing Cork problems, along with Leah McMahon’s darting runs, Kerry just attacked in waves.

Five unanswered points from Ni Chonchúir, Emma Costello, Siofra O’Shea (2) and another from Danielle O’Leary had Kerry leading by double scores 0-12 to 0-6.

The game was put beyond Cork’s reach when Siofra O’Shea raced through from outside the arc and shot low to the Cork net.

It was game over as Aisling O’Connell, Aoife Dillane, Niamh Ni Chonchúir and Siofra O’Shea ensured that it was Kerry who will advance to play Waterford in the Munster final.

Scorers for Kerry: S O’Shea (1-3, 1f), N Ni Chonchúir (0-3), D O’Leary, J Lucey, and L McMahon (0-2 each), An O’Connell, E Costelloe, A Galvin and N Carmody (0-1 each).

Cork:

KERRY: M Ellen Bolger; R Rahilly, D Kearney, E Lynch; A O’Connell, E Costello, A Dillane; A Galvin, M O’Connell; N Carmody, N Ni Chonchúir, C Evans; J Lucey, L McMahon, S O’Shea.

Subs: D O’Leary for J Lucey (h/t), E Ni Laighin for R Rahilly (h/t), L Boyle for E Costello (53), M O’Connor for N Carmody (58), N Quinn for C Evans (58) 

CORK: C Richmond; M Duggan, S Callahan, S Kelly; A Corcoran, S McGoldrick, R Corkery; M O’Callaghan, A O’Mahony; R Leahy, K Redmond, E Cleary; L Hallihan, K Quirke, Á O’Sullivan.

Subs: G Murphy for M O’Callaghan (38), R O’Regan for E Cleary (38), a Ring for R Leahy (50), E Hurley for L Hallihan (57) 

Referee: D Grogan (Limerick)