Kerry have won at Down in Round 2 of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship.
The Kingdom were victorious by 13 points to 11 in wet conditions at Liatroim Fontenoys.
Kerry were ahead by 6 points to 1 after quarter of an hour and led 8 to 7 at half-time.
At the 3/4 stage the Kingdom were down by 9 points to 8.
A strong Kerry finish saw them win by 2.
Full report:
Kerry continued their winning ways in Rd 2 of the Glen Dimplex Championship with a hard earned win over Down by 2 points in Liatroim Fontenoys GAC in very wet and windy conditions.
Kerry opened their scores with a point from Shannon Collins followed by a point from Amy O’Sullivan from a very acute angle. Annmarie Leen scored another point to give Kerry a 3 point lead. Kerry were working very hard in wet conditions and Patrice Diggin extended the lead with a point from a 45.
This was followed by 2 more points from two frees by Patrice Diggin, which left the score 0-06 to 0-01 to Kerry. A brief period of dominance from Down added 3 more points from frees before Patrice Diggin extended Kerry’s score board with another point from a free. Down replied with 2 more points from play which left the score coming into the halfway mark 0-07 to 0-06 in favour of Kerry. Just before halftime both Kerry and Down exchanged points, which left the score at half time Kerry 0-08, Down 0-07. Kerry would be happy going in at halftime after a strong performance from Down in the last 10 minutes.
Kerry introduced Jackie Horgan at half time for Ellen O’Donoghue. Both Kerry and Down in the opening minutes of the second half exchanged wides with the opening score coming from a free for Down to level the game at 0-08 each. For the next 10 minutes Down put pressure on Kerry but Kerry’s defence stood very solid with strong performances from Sara Murphy who was marking Sarah Louise Graffan. Midway through the second half, Down added a point from a fee from Paula O’Hagan to take the lead for the first time in the game. This brought her total to 5 points from frees. At this stage Down lead 0-09 to 0-08.
Patrice Diggin brought Kerry back level with a point from a free. Down added a point from play followed by a fantastic Kerry point from play on the 45m mark by Aoife Behan. Down levelled the game again with a point from a free to leave the score Kerry 0-11, Down 0-11. A moment of indiscipline by Down with a free awarded to Kerry where Jackie Horgan converted on the sideline from an awkward angle. This was followed by an outstanding point from substitute Caoimhe Spillane who was excellent from her introduction to push Kerry 2 points clear with a minute of added time to go. Down presented one last challenge at Kerry from their puck out, with the Kerry defence really holding firm to deny Dearbhla Magee a last minute shot on goal only to be dispossessed by Michelle Costello. Down had another shot on goal but the coolness of goalkeeper Aoife Fitzgerald denied Down a goal opportunity with time running out and Kerry cleared their line to the sound of the referee Brian Kearney’s full time whistle to the applause of the few Kerry supporters who made to long journey to the North to witness a victory for Kerry.
Kerry's defence of Sara Murphy, Michelle Costello and Rachel McCarthy put in hooks and blocks throughout the game, with great work also upfront by Kathryn Ryan who looks to be settling into Camogie at this level.
Substitutes on the day:
Jackie Horgan for Ellen O’Donoghue
Caoimhe Spillane for Shannon Collins
Amy McCarthy for Kathryn Ryan
Scorers for Kerry:
Shannon Collins 1pt
Patrice Diggin 7pts (f)
Annmarie Leen 1pt
Amy O’Sullivan 1pt
Aoife Behan 1pt
Jackie Horgan 1pt (f)
Caoimhe Spillane 1pt
Next game is home to Kildare on Saturday 21st June - venue to be confirmed.
