Kerry qualify for semi-finals of Ladies All Ireland Senior Football Championship

Kerry Squad. Photo: David Corkey/Radio Kerry Sport

Kildare squad. Photo: David Corkey/Radio Kerry Sport

Kerry are into the semi-finals of the TG4 Ladies All Ireland Senior Football Championship.

In the last 8 the Kingdom beat Kildare at Austin Stack Park in Tralee by 3-12 to 0-11.

Kerry led at half time by 2-5 to 0-7. Siofra O'Shea scored both of the Kingdom goals.

Síofra O’Shea celebrates after scoring her third goal of the game. Photo: David Corkey/Radio Kerry Sport

O'Shea completed her hat trick in the second period. Kerry will play Meath or Tipperary in the last four in Tullamore on Saturday July 19th, at 5.15 or 7.30.

Kerry Manager Mark Bourke gave his reaction to Radio Kerry Commentator, Tim Moynihan

Match report by John O’Dowd...................

A brace of first half goals from hat-trick hero Síofra O’Shea, while her side were playing against the elements, gave Kerry the foothold they needed to overcome Kildare in the TG4 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final at Austin Stack Park.

Even though the Lilywhites got off to a very strong start, notching four points in the opening nine minutes to take the early ascendancy, the concession of the two green flags before the break was a hammer blow to the visitors.

Kerry’s Mary O’Connell in action. Photo: David Corkey/Radio Kerry Sport

With Alannah Prizeman (two frees), Aoife Rattigan and Gillian Wheeler all finding the target for the Leinster side, the Kingdom were slower out of the blocks before they struck for their first goal in the tenth minute.

Kerry’s Emma Costello takes a shot at goal. Photo: David Corkey/Radio Kerry Sport

A cross-field kick from Niamh Carmody, and a pass from Cáit Lynch slipped advancing centre-back Emma Costello through the Kildare defence, and after her shot was parried by goalkeeper Mary Hulgraine, O’Shea was on hand to tap home the rebound.

Kerry’s Danielle O’Leary. Photo: David Corkey/Radio Kerry Sport

Danielle O’Leary was now getting into her stride, and the Rathmore attacker fired over two points, with a Rachel Dwyer effort sandwiched in between. Ciara Wheeler and Prizeman responded at the other end, and the protagonists were level after 22 minutes (1-3 to 0-6).

Kerry’s Cáit Lynch. Photo: David Corkey/Radio Kerry Sport

The Kingdom edged in front before the half’s most crucial moment in the 24th minute when Niamh Ní Chonchúir set up O’Shea inside the Kildare cover and, after being fouled while in the act of shooting by Lauren Murtagh, a penalty was awarded.

The Kerry full-forward picked herself up off the ground to beat the visiting custodian with a low spot-kick to the ‘keeper’s right and, despite Prizeman’s trojan work, a superb Anna Galvin point had the defending champions four up at the break (2-5 to 0-7).

Kerry’s Anna Galvin. Photo: David Corkey/Radio Kerry Sport

Kildare needed a boost early on the resumption, but Prizeman had a goal-bound shot blocked on the line by Kerry captain Lynch, before Kerry, and O’Shea, pounced for green flag number three in the 39th minute to end the game as a contest.

Kerry’s Síofra O’Shea. Photo: David Corkey/Radio Kerry Sport

Midfielder Galvin was the instigator, fetching a kick-out and sending a pinpoint delivery to O’Shea, who gave Hulgraine no mistake. From there to the finish, the hosts were always in control, eventually cruising home by a ten-point margin to set up a last-four meeting with either Meath or Tipperary.

Scorers – Kerry: S O’Shea 3-2 (1-0pen, 0-1f), D O’Leary 0-4, R Dwyer, A Galvin, N Carmody, K Brosnan, N Ní Chonchúir, C Evans 0-1 each.
Kildare: A Prizeman 0-7 (0-5fs), A Rattigan, G Wheeler, C Wheeler, R Byrne 0-1 each.

KERRY: ME Bolger; E Lynch, D Kearney, C Lynch; A O’Connell, E Costello, A Dillane; M O’Connell, A Galvin; N Carmody, N Ní Chonchúir, C Evans; R Dwyer, S O’Shea, D O’Leary. Subs: R Rahilly for Galvin (46), K Brosnan for Dwyer (46), F O’Donoghue for Kearney (51), K O’Connor for E Lynch (54), N Quinn for Carmody (58).
KILDARE: M Hulgraine; R Sargent, L Lenehan, M Doherty; L Shaw, L Murtagh, M Aspel; L Reilly, C Moran; C Wheeler, A Rattigan, L Curran; G Wheeler, A Prizeman, R Byrne. Subs: M Ryan for Moran (37), A Mahon for Murtagh (41), E Dowling for Rattigan (48), S Galvin for G Wheeler (51), C Sullivan for Shaw (53).

Referee: K Phelan (Laois).