There was disappointment in Rathmore, in front of a large home crowd as Kerry failed to retain their Munster title. Cork triumphed in spectacular fashion as they hit Kerry for 6 goals, with 4 goals coming one on top of the other in a 10 minute spell in the second half. Cork were dominant all through the game & hit Kerry for 2 quick points at the start. Kerry replied after 5 minutes with a goal from Patrice Dennehy after a good passing movement. However Kerry were slightly wasteful with the possession they had & failed to put scores on the board due to wides & indecisiveness. However Cork when in Kerry territory had no such qualms & hit Kerry for two goals. Despite some well taken scores from Marie Quirke, Patrice Dennehy & Louise Ni Mhuirtceartaigh, Kerry failed to eat into Cork's lead. Half time Kerry 1-05 Cork 2-08. Kerry started the second half brightly with 3 points on the bounce. But Cork bound up field at pace & hit Kerry for the first of their 4 second half goals, their third of the game. Within a minute they hit Kerry for another. Kerry replied with a point from free by Sarah Houlihan. But Cork replied with 2 goals - leaving the score at the half way point Kerry 1-09 Cork 6-10. Kerry battled back with a goal from Deirdre Corridan however the game was over a contest. Cork funnelled players back & played a very defensive game for the remainder of the half. Both sides emptied the bench, with thoughts already turning to the next game. For Kerry it is a route through the qualifiers, for Cork a quarter final.
Kerry: Edel Murphy, Aoife Lyons, Aisling Leonard, Gina Crowley, Maria Quirke 0-3, Denise Hallissey, Caroline Kelly, Emma Sherwood, Bernie Breen 0-1, Cait Lynch, Megan O'Connell, Patrice Dennehy 1-1, Sarah Houlihan 0-1, Louise Galvin 0-1, Louise Ni Mhuirtceartaigh 0-3
Subs: Deirdre Corridan 1-1 for Cait Lynch (H/T), Lorraine Scanlon for Megan O'Connell (H/T) Aislinn Desmond for Quirke (40) Cassandra Buckley for Houlihan (49)
Team Picture: Back Row L-R: Lorraine Scanlon, Bernie Breen (Capt), Marie Quirke, Aoife Lyons, Edel Murphy, Emma Sherwood, Amanda Brosnan, Louise Ni Mhuirtceartaigh, Megan O'Connell, Caroline Kelly, Louise Galvin, Laura Rogers,
Front Row: L-R: Denise Hallissey, Sarah Houlihan, Deirdre Corridan, Patrice Dennehy, Gina Crowley, Aislinn Desmond, Aisling Leonard, Cait Lynch, Cassandra Buckley, Julie Brosnan.
Attention now focuses for the next week on the club scene. On Friday night the senior championship commences in full, with some very interesting clashes. Current champions Laune Rangers who are peppered with county stars have a tricky away game to Inbhear Sceine Gaels. Laune Rangers in 2013 had a sterling season with back to back league titles & also finally the county championship. Their championship success built on their strong league run. However this year they are struggling to put together a strong run of form & with the injury to Sarah Jane Joy & Amy Foley will be missing some firepower & experience. Inbhear Sceine Gaels however have played very well in the league & can also call upon experience players such as Denise Hallissey & Gina Crowley to steady their ship. Going to be tightest game to call of the bunch but will spring for the Laune side as they have more balance to the team. Southern Gaels are home to combination side Na hAsthaigh who are Na Gaeil & Corca Dhuibhne. Na Gaeil who were devastating last year in their run to All Ireland success will be hoping players such as Maria Quirke, Brid & Eilis O'Connor, and Deirdre Kearney can lead the team with their experience. Corca Dhuibhne who are young but can count on Louise Ni Mhuirtceartaigh for scores & will pose a distraction the South Kerry side. Southern Gaels also pose their own danger with Caroline Kelly in fine form at the moment & also with Deirdre Corridan & Megan O'Connell among the side they will be hoping that their strong league campaign & the experience of last years final will stand to them. Killarney who are Spa, Kilcummin & Dr Crokes will host North Kerry - Abbeydorney, Causeway & Finuge/St Senans. The North Kerry side will be dependant on Louise Galvin & young Causeway player Patrice Diggins for scores, while defense will be anchored by Laura Collins Abbeydorney. But Killarney will pose too much of a hurdle with Amanda Brosnan, Cassandra Buckley among their ranks for the North Kerry side. Next round of club games will be dependant on the draws of the qualifiers.
Best of luck to the Kerry U14 team who face Mayo in the All Ireland A Final on Saturday 20th June in Nenagh at 4 pm. Kerry who won the Munster after a long 6 year weight will be eager to add the All Ireland crown the trophy cabinet. Kerry will be hoping that midfield duo of Laobhise Walmsley & Sophie Lynch will contain the Mayo pairing to starve their forwards of possession; while up front Kerry will be hoping that Fiadhna Tangney will pop over some scores. Hoping that a big Kerry crowd will support our young stars in the All Ireland final. Tweet

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