There were celebrations in Nenagh when Kerry finally annexed the U14 A All Ireland title, after a 6 year wait. They defeated Mayo on a scoreline of Kerry 6-08 Mayo 4-09, in a very entertaining end to end contest. Mayo started the game the brightest & hit the first 2 opening points. Despite playing with a sizeable wind they elected to play a sweeper in front of the Kerry forwards to cut out the space which initially worked. However Kerry soon got to grips with the game & Fiadhna Tangney who was a thorn in the Mayo side all day was pulled down in the square. Aoife O'Callaghan stepped up & hit the penalty as cool as a cucumber. Kerry started to dominate & hit Mayo for a goal, as Fiadhna Tangney struck for her first goal from play. Mayo kept in touch of Kerry with some points from Maria Reilly their captain & full forward. Kerry had another goal chance just before half time as Labhaoise Walmsley who moved into the forwards from midfield was through on goal but the shot was hit over the bar. But the Mayo reply was instant as just at the half time whistle they scored a goal from their midfielder Ciara Whyte. Half time Kerry 2-05 Mayo 1-06. The second half started similar to the first with Mayo hitting Kerry for quick scores - 2 goals within 5 minutes & also forced a great save from the Kerry keeper Laura Teahan. But Kerry's reply was instant as Labhaoise Walmsley who was proving to be a great strike partner for Fiadhna Tangney pulled 2 goals back for Kerry, the second after a great passing move. Kerry's 5th goal came minutes later after Hannah O'Donoghue in wing back cut off a Mayo attack, quick ball to Sophie Lynch who played the ball over the Mayo defenders into Fiadhna Tangney who hit the back of the net. It was Kerry now at this stage & Labhaoise Walmsley score the final Kerry goal, again a perfectly timed & weighted pass from Fiadhna Tangney who drew the attention of the Mayo defenders & goalkeeper & quickly moved the ball to Labhaoise who palmed into an open net. Mayo got a consolation goal with 10 minutes remaining. Final Score Kerry 6-08 Mayo 4-09. It was a great team performance from Kerry but standing out for Kerry were Hanna O'Donoghue & Ciara Murphy in defence, Sophie Lynch in midfield, while Mayo will want to quickly forget about Fiadhna Tangney & Labhaoise Walmsley in forwards. Pat Quill LGFA President presented the cup to Erica McGlynn captain while Fiadhna Tangney was awarded Player of the Match to add to her Munster award. Many thanks to Castleisland Desmonds Ladies Clubs & Fossa GAA who organised great homecomings for the team, particularly in Killarney where a Garda escort lead the girls to Fossa GAA.
Team & Scorers:
Laura Teahan Kilcummin, Anna O Reilly Fossa, Tara Breen Laune Rangers, Muireann Moriarty Na Gaeil, Kate Maher Kilcummin, Hannah O Donoghue Fossa, Ciara Murphy Miltown/Listry, Sophie Lynch Listowel Emmets, Labhaoise Walmsley (3-01) Castleisland Desmonds, Fiadhna Tangney (2-06)Legion, Aoife O Callaghan (1 pen -01) Rathmore, Ciara O Brien Laune Rangers, Erica Mc Glynn Capt Fossa, Brid Ryan Rathmore, Jade Powell John Mitchels. Subs Rachel Fitzgerald Rathmore for Kate Maher, Niamh Ni Chonchuir Corca Dhuibhne for Aoife O'Callaghan.

Team Picture:
Back Row: Mollie O'Carroll Austin Stacks, Brid Ryan Rathmore, Ciara O'Sullivan Southern Gaels, Sinead Warren Rathmore, Erika O'Sullivan Na Gaeil, Lucy Clifford Laune Rangers, Aoife O'Callaghan Rathmore, Labhaoise Walmsley Castleisland Desmonds.
Middle Row: Jade Powell John Mitchells, Fiadhna Tangney Legion, Sophie Lynch Listowel Emmetts, Ciara Murphy Miltown/Listry, Kate Maher Kilcummin, Blathnaid Cotter John Mitchels, Laura Teahan Kilcummin, Anna O'Reilly Fossa, Jayden Lucey Na Gaeil.
Front Row: Niamh Ni Conchuir Cora Dhuibhne, Ciara O'Brien Laune Rangers, Hannah O'Donoghue Fossa, Muireann Moriarty Na Gaeil, Tara Breen Laune Rangers, Erica McGlynn Fossa, Georgia O'Dwyer Southern Gaels, Grace Cahillane Fossa, Rachel Fitzgerald Rathmore.
The first rounds of the championships took place on Tuesday & Friday last week. On Tuesday Scartaglin faced neighbours Desmonds/Duagh in the senior preliminary round. Scartaglin weakened through injury found the neighbours had too much firepower & it was Desmonds/Duagh that went on to face Listowel Emmetts in the next round proper on Friday. That proved to be a cracking game. The game resulted in a win for Desmonds/Duagh on a score line of 1-16 to 2-6.  An early two point lead that Desmond/Duagh raced into was wiped out when Erin Finucane scored a goal for Listowel and the teams traded scores before a hat trick of points from Lorraine Scanlon saw Desmonds/Duagh lead 0-9 to 1-2 at half time.  A goal early in the second half saw Desmonds/Duagh extend their lead but Listowel battled away and a goal from Miriam O Keeffe with 7 minutes to go gave Listowel hope but they were unable to breach the defence for further goals.  Lorraine Scanlon was the outstanding player in a game that was hard fought. In the other senior game Laune Rangers accounted for Inbhear Sceine Gaels on a final scoreline of Laune rangers 4 -16 Inbhear Sceine Gaels 4-5. Laune rangers were without injured county players Sarah Jane joy and Amy Foley due to injury and faced a very difficult task heading into the game as ISG beat Laune rangers in the league just two months ago. However, Laune Rangers were the quickest off the blocks and stunned ISG by their accurate passing and delivery of the ball. Laune rangers defence were very tight, goalie Edel Murphy proved her inter county standard by pulling off some great saves, corner backs swept up every loose ball & Johanna O'Callaghan in centre back kept the ISG attack. ISG had no response to the mid field pairing of Patrice Dennehy and Bernie Breen who were on form on the night. Sarah Houlihan was very impressive with a tally of 1-9 with 1-7 from play. Half time score Laune Rangers 3 -8 to ISG 0-2, Full time score Laune Rangers 4-16 to ISG 4-5. While Killarney & Southern Gaels received walkovers from North Kerry & Na hAsthaigh respectively.
In the Junior Championship Austin Stacks met with pre favourites Rathmore & they were well worth their favourite as they ran out comprehensive winners, against a Rock side who were missing key players such as Laura Rogers & Marina Barry. Abbeydorney travelled to Kilcummin on Tuesday. The black & amber side pulled out all the stops in the second half & ran out worthy winners. Half time the score was Kilcummin 2-04 Abbeydorney 2-03, so despite being down a point & with a few injuries to Aine O'Connor & Chloe Neenan they pulled it off with great defending & former returning star Noreen Fealy putting on a display at full forward. West Kerry side Corca Dhuibhne travelled to Lewis Road to hosts Dr Crokes. It was a real ding done affair which turned into a shoot out between county stars Amanda Brosnan for the locals & Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh for the travelling side. In the end the West Kerry side pulled through.
Semi finals will take place on the Friday 25th July - details & venues on the website. Tweet

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