FT score Dublin 2-14 Kerry 1-6

 

Dublin Ladies topped off a great weekend of results for the County as they defeated Kerry by 11 points in the opening round of the Lidl Ladies NFL.

 

The home team started the game smartly scoring 3 points within three minutes with Noelle Healy, Lyndsey Davey and Sinead Aherne all on target for the Dubs.

 

Former Kerry captain Bernie Breen responded for Kerry with a well taken point in the 4th minute. The Beaufort player's kick was helped on its way with the aid of a strong wind which was blowing into the railway end of Parnell Park.

 

Dublin's movement upfront was quite impressive with the inside line of Aherne, Niamh McEvoy and Amy Ring all showing well for the ball. Dublin's first goal came in the 18th minute following a penetrative run from Davey, who laid off a brilliant pass to McEvoy who finished the ball to the back of the Kerry net with aplomb.

 

Further points from Ring and Healy pushed Dublin's lead out to 9 points with 22 minutes gone on the clock. To their credit Kerry kept plugging away but were guilty of some poor shooting and their wide tally was starting to mount.

 

However Kerry got a fortunate break in the 29th minute when a speculative cross field pass by Anna Galvin dipped over the head of Dublin keeper Ciara Trant and into the back of the Dub's net.

 

Galvin's goal appeared to lift the Kingdom as Kerry finished the half strongly with former All Star Louise Ni Mhuirtcheartaigh popping over her sides 3rd point late into injury time reducing Dublin's lead to 5 points. At the interval the score board read Dublin 1-08 (11) Kerry 1-03 (6).

 

Both teams had played out an entertaining half of football in spite of the cold, wet and windy weather conditions. Despite having the assistance of a strong wind the visitors were guilty of some wayward shooting notching up 10 first half wides opposed to just 2 by Dublin.

 

It was Dublin who once again started the second half in spritely fashion with four unanswered points courtesy of Carla Rowe, Aherne (free), Siobhan Woods and Aherne again.

 

With 42 minutes gone on the clock Niamh McEvoy once again broke Kerry hearts with another well taken goal. The pass for McEvoy's score coming at the end of a well worked passage of play involving Aherne and Davy.

 

With the writing on the wall Alan O'Neill emptied his Kerry bench giving a number of his players some valuable game time. Likewise Dublin introduced a number of players into the game with Rebecca McDonnell, Amy Conroy and Niamh Ryan making their senior debuts when brought in near the closing stages.

 

Gregory McGonigle and his management team will be happy with his side's performance. Dublin kept Kerry to just 3 points in the second half while scoring all bar one point of their final tally of 2-14 from play.

 

Dublin's defence was solid, midfield duo of Healy and Magee have the makings of a strong partnership while up front Davey, McEvoy, Aherne and Ring where in superb form.

 

Next Sunday Dublin travel to Mayo who today accounted for Cork by 2-08 to 0-07.

 

Images from today's game can be viewed on GAApics.com

 

Dublin: Ciara Trant, Olwen Carey, Muireann Ni Scanaill, Fiona Hudson, Carla Rowe, Sinead Finnegan, Leah Caffrey, Lauren Magee, Noelle Healy (Captain), Lyndsey Davey, Siobhan Woods, Nicole Owens, Sinead Aherne, Niamh McEvoy, Amy Ring.

 

Dublin Subs: Amy Connolly for Magee, Olivia Leonard for Woods, Niamh Collins for Caffrey, Martha Byrne for Owens, Rebecca McDonnell for McEvoy, Amy Conroy for Aherne, Niamh Ryan for Ring (Injury)

                     

Dubs Scorers: N McEvoy 2-00, S Aherne 0-4 (1f), C Rowe, N Healy, L Davey, A Ring 0-2 pts each, S Woods, N Owens 0-1 pt each, wides 5 (2-3).

 

Kerry: Maria Quirke, Caroline Kelly, Aisling Leonard, Ciara Murphy, Kate O'Sullivan, Aislinn Desmond, Aisling O'Connell, Denise Hallissey, Bernie Breen, Laura Rogers, Lorraine Scanlon, Louise Ni Mhuirtcheartaigh, Patrice Dennehy, Amanda Brosnan, Anna Galvin.

 

Kerry Subs: Eilis Lynch for Dennehy, Gina Crowley for Leonard, Rheanne O'Shea for Rogers, Aileen Sheenan for K O'Sullivan, Jane Lynch for Galvin, Megan O'Connell for Ní Mhuirtcheartaigh (Injury).

 

Kerry Scorers: A Galvin 1-01, L Ní Mhuirtcheartaigh 0-2, B Breen, L Scanlan, R O'Shea 0-1 each, wides 12, 45's 1

 

Referee: Colm McManus (Meath)

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