Very National League – Round 4
Kerry v Armagh
Kerry 2-10, Armagh 0-06
Kerry gained another 3 points in the Very National League against Armagh in a hard fought encounter. The game played in damp conditions The Athletic Grounds. Armagh were looking for their first win in the league but a very strong resistant performance kept Kerry’s hopes for a place in the League Final alive.
Kerry opened the scoring with a free from Patrice Diggin, followed by a well taken goal by Amy O’Sullivan, after some great defending from the backs.
Armagh piled on a lot of pressure on the defence with strong defending from the 6 backs who were outstanding all day, which resulted in points from play from Amy O’Sullivan, Kate Lynch and a further free from Patrice Diggin. At Half Time Kerry went in 0-07 points ahead, Kerry 1-05, Armagh 0-01.
At the start of the second half Kerry made 2 changes, Shannon Collins replaced Ellen O’Donoghue and Emma Conway replaced Amy McCarthy.
Armagh opened the scoring in the second half with 2 points, 1 from a free and 1 from play. Kate Lynch replied for Kerry scoring with a point from play.
Points from Patrice Diggin and Amy O’Sullivan kept the Kerry scoreboard ticking over. Armagh added 2 further points from frees.
Kerry kept the pressure on the Armagh back line who were very resilient. Patrice Diggin added a massive point from play after rough play in the middle of the field.
Kerry introduced another substitute, Kathryn Ryan for Ann Marie Leen. Kathryn Ryan’s introduction was evident of her work rate as she took the game to Armagh with her athleticism.
Armagh put a lot of pressure on Kerry’s backs in the last 10 minutes. Sarah Walsh replaced Michelle Costello and Aine O’Connor replaced Roisin Quinn, who had a very good day out.
Kerry introduced 2 more substitutes, Tara Burke for Caoimhe Spillane, and Áine Devlin for Aoife Behan.
In the last 5 minutes, Kerry’s fresh legs payed dividends as a fast ball supplied by Kate Lynch to Tara Burke who gave a perfect pass to Amy O’Sullivan who finished to the back of the net, giving Armagh no way back.
Kerry made a final substitution Ciara Moloney for Kate Lynch. Amy O’Sullivan finished with 2-02, however this was a great team performance to set up a winner takes all clash with Derry at home next Saturday, for a place in the Very National League Final on Sunday 13th April.
Full Time score Kerry 2-10, Armagh 0-06
Kerry: A. Fitzgerald, M. Costello, S. Murphy, R. McCarthy, R. Quinn, N. Leen, A. Behan, C. Spillane, R. O’Connor, K. Lynch (0-02), P. Diggin (0-06 (0-04f, 0-01 45)), AM. Leen, A. McCarthy, A. O’Sullivan (2-02), E. O’Donoghue
Subs: S. Collins for E. O’Donoghue, E. Conway for A. McCarthy, K. Ryan for AM. Leen, S. Walsh for M. Costello, A. O’Connor for R. Quinn, T. Burke for C. Spillane, Á. Devlin for A. Behan and C. Moloney for K. Lynch
Sunday 23rd March 2025
All Ireland U16 B Championship, Round 4
Kerry 1-8
Laois 2-10
Kerry welcomed Laois to Lixnaw on Sunday in this round 4 match.
Laois, playing with the breeze, opened the scoring with a couple of early points before Ally Russell got Kerry up and running with a brace of points from frees. A further pointed free by Ally Russell cancelled out a point by Laois before Emily O’Donoghue pulled off an excellent save to leave the scores level at the end of the first quarter. Laois then hit the first goal of the game in the 20th minute following some good play in the build-up. Kerry scored a goal of their own in the 25th minute, with Georgia Kennedy finding the net following an excellent move in the Kerry attack. A couple of points by Laois in the final few minutes of the half left the scoreline at the interval of Kerry 1-3 Laois 1-5.
Laois started the second like the first with a couple of early points before Kerry began to take control of the game. With some excellent defensive play by Ava Kennelly, Hayley O’Connor, and Jessica Leen, Kerry gained possession time and time again, resulting in 5 unanswered points, all coming from frees by Ally Russell. The momentum was all now with Kerry, who were a point ahead by the 18th minute of the half . Then, in the 20th minute, Laois were reduced to 14 following a second yellow card. Kerry couldn’t capitalise on the extra player, and despite the best efforts of Georgia Kennedy and Ally Russell in attack , couldn’t add to the scoreline. Laois, on the other hand though, driven on by the sending off, equalised and then dominated the final 10 minutes. A well taken second goal followed by a couple of fine points left the final score Kerry 1-8 Laois 2-10.
Next up for Kerry is a round 5 away game against Kildare on Sunday, 6th April at a venue to be confirmed.
Kerry: Emily O’Donoghue, Ava Kennelly, Hayley O’Connor, Sinead Flynn, Rachel Lennon, Nicole Power , Jessica Leen, Sarah Chute, Siofra Murphy, Emma Gaynor, Evie O’Sullivan, Caoimhe Nolan, Ally Russell (0-8f), G Kennedy (1-0), Ellie O’Connor. Subs: Shannon Murphy for Siofra Murphy, Anna Maria Harty for Ellie O’Connor. Subs not used: Aoibheann Flaherty, Cliona McElligott, Clodagh Carroll, Aoibhinn Hennessy.
Upcoming Fixtures:
Saturday 29th March 2025
Very Senior National League Division 2A
Round 5 – Kerry v Derry
Venue: Lixnaw - @2pm
All to play for with this home game to Derry. Please come to show your support for our Senior team as they seek a place in the final.
Pictures attached are (1) Senior (2) U16 teams in advance of their respective games at the weekend.
