Kerry Ladies updates
July 29, 2014Armagh ultimately went on to win the Ulster title defeating favourites Monaghan. "Donegal was one of the toughest draw we could have got for this qualifier round. Despite being relegated from Division 1 of the Tesco HomeGrown National Football league, they were well organised & gave us a tough game in Tralee in April. Their management had only just been appointed prior to that game. They'll also have Geraldine McLoughlin back on the team; she's one of the best, if not the best, forward in the country. They'll be far stronger than they were in the league"according to William O'Sullivan senior manager.
The team will want to come out strong after the Munster final defeat to Cork. It was a game where lessons were learned all round. There are currently some injuries to the team. Amy Foley & Debra Murphy were injured prior to the Munster Championship & the situation is being monitored. Sarah Jane Joy injured her cruciate in the first round game against Cork in Pairc Ui Rinn so will be out for the rest of the season. Kerry will be looking for Caroline Kelly & Denise Hallissey to continue their strong form in defence, where both put in good shifts against Cork. Kerry also hoping that All Stars Sarah Houlihan & Louise Ni Mhuirteartaigh will also put up some good scores.
In the domestic scene there were crucial final spots up for grabs in the Senior A & B Championship & in the Junior A. In the Junior A semi final a depleted Abbeydorney side, who saw off Kilcummin in the earlier rounds travelled to Lispole to take on a good Corca Dhuibhne side. From the offset Abbeydorney were in trouble defensively as Eilish Kavanagh got some good scores & had difficulty winning their own kick outs. At half time Abbeydorney made some positional switches which worked a treat however it was too much of a climb for the North Kerry side who were missing key players. Laura Collins played very well for Abbeydorney marking Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh while Eilish Kavanagh took advantage of the space awarded to her. Final Score Corca Dhuibhne 4-19 Abbeydorney 2-07.
In the Senior A Championship Desmonds/Duagh faced current champions Laune Rangers. Unfortunately the current champions never got going & found the combination side too strong. Lorraine Scanlon & Leanne Mangan proving a handful for the Laune side. For the dethroned champions Edel Murphy proved her credentials as she saved a penalty in the first save & pulled of a few more point blank saves. While Patrice Dennehy put in a good performance & key provider in many of their scores. Final Score Desmonds/Duagh 4-20 Laune Rangers 3-08. Southern Gaels will be the opposition as they defeated Killarney in the other semi final. Both defenses were on top in this clash with the forwards having to work had for scores. In the end the experience of Southern Gaels told in the end & they hope to make up for the disappointment of 2013. Final Score Killarney 1-05 Southern Gaels 2-15.
A weakened Listowel Emmetts who had a good battle last week against Desmonds/Duagh were undone by Scartaglin the Senior B final. Final Score Scartaglin 4-13 Listowel Emmetts 1-09.
Southern Gaels had another reason to celebrate the weekend as their U12 team secured the Glebe Kitchens Division 1 title defeating neighbors Cromane. In a very exciting game where both sets of midfielders were battling hard for breaking ball, it was Southern Gaels who found scores easier to come by but were often undone by Cromane keeper Sinead O'Neill. But Southern Gaels plugged away & with goals from Rachel Devane, Maria O'Sullivan & Siofra O'Shea they eventually came out on top. Cromane goals coming from Claire Fealey & Rosin Griffin. The skill by all players was excellent but Shannon O'Donnell & Shona Fitzpatrick were resilient in defense for Southern Gaels. Mary Courtney on behalf of sponsor Glebe Kitchens & Kerry Ladies county board praised both sets of teams, in particular Cromane who have progressed from Division 5 to Division 1 in just three years. Tweet
