Tipp fall to Kerry in league opener
LADIES FOOTBALL: Lidl National League Division 2A Round 1
Kerry 0-11
Tipperary 1-4
Report: Murt Murphy in Killarney
Player of the Match: Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh (Kerry)
SCORERS – Kerry: Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh 0-8 (5 frees); Niamh Carmody 0-2; Anna Galvin 0-1.
Tipperary: Angela McGuigan 1-0; Emma Cronin (free), Anna Rose Kennedy, Caitlin Kennedy, Niamh Martin 0-1 each.
Kerry got off to a winning start in their Ladies Football National League Division 2 campaign last Sunday in Fitzgerald Stadium, but it was far from convincing against a Tipperary who if they had taken their scores, might well have caused an upset.
Tipperary had to make three changes to their selected team and an injury on the Friday before the game for Emma Morrissey proved a major setback to the Premier County as was acknowledged by their manager Peter Creedon post-match.
“Emma Morrissey was big loss to us today and she just went over on the ankle on Friday with nobody near her,” he revealed.
“We were down five points at half time. We had a chance of goal in the first half and a few points in the first half and maybe 1-3 would have been a fair reflection on proceeding despite playing into that wind.
“We were well in the game just trailing by two points with twelve minutes to go but unfortunately Kerry went up and got the next point. I felt if we had got that point and reduced the lead to one, I think we would have shaded it.”
He also explained that he couldn’t afford to push Caitlin Kennedy forward.
“We needed to keep it tight at the back because Kerry thrashed us last year by fifteen points, so we did not want to be opened up for goals. We probably took on shots from too deep after the goal that was created by Caitlin.
“But the girl’s effort was outstanding and so was their commitment so we will have park that now and move on Laois,” Creedon said.
But the Tipperary boss took some positives from his trip to Killarney.
“We were very pleased that our fitness levels were strong and the girl’s commitment to each other and to the process was really good. Disappointed with our execution up front but that is always a challenge,” he said.
Kerry actually conceded the first score of the game to Tipperary’s Anna Rose Kennedy in the third minute before Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh’s scoring prowess started to come to the fore along with another point from Niamh Carmody as Kerry led 0-2 to 0-1 at the first water break (they still exist in the Ladies game).
Kerry kept the visitors scoreless in the period up to half-time. Ni Mhuircheartaigh put over 0-3 (2 frees) in giving the hosts a bit of daylight on the scoreboard as Tipp goalkeeper Lauren Fitzpatrick nearly gave her a sniff at goal in the 20th minute after dealing unconvincingly with a dropping shot from Carmody.
Tipperary had a goal chance themselves but messed up and good defensive work by Kerry at the scoreboard end led to team captain Anna Galvin getting a point at the other end in the 24th minute as Kerry went in leading by 0-6 to 0-1 with the elements against them in the second period.
Ni Mhuircheartaigh gave Kerry a lead of 0-8 to 0-1 by the 41st minute. The elements; showers, blustery wind, and bursts of sunlight, didn’t appear to be too much of a hindrance to them in the third quarter but they had to prepare themselves for Tipperary to take the game to the Kingdom. Tipp’s Caitlin Kennedy ended their 43-minute wait for a score with their second point just before the second water break.
Indeed, Kennedy taking up a more advanced position in the field was the catalyst for the visitors giving Kerry some nervous moments before the end. Emma Cronin put over a 48th minute free for Tipp before Kennedy played in substitute Angela McGuigan for the game’s only goal a minute later to make it 0-8 to 1-3.
Credit must be given to the Kerry Ladies for not panicking, however. Ni Mhuircheartaigh brought her personal total up to 0-8 (5 frees) as Carmody scored a second point that her efforts on the day very much deserved.
Ciara O’Brien was unlucky not to add a goal for Kerry before the end in coming forward in the 57th minute as Fitzpatrick blocked her from close range.
Tipperary will definitely rue some missed chances but will travel to play Laois on Sunday knowing that a win will put them right back in the mix for semi-final spot.
TEAMS – Kerry: Ciara Butler; Ciara O’Brien, Kayleigh Cronin, Julie O’Sullivan; Aishling O’Connell, Emma Costello, Ciara Murphy; Mary O’Connell, Anna Galvin; Niamh Carmody, Caoimhe Evans, Niamh Ni Chonchúir; Katie Brosnan, Rachel Dwyer, Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh.
Subs: Danielle O’Leary for Dwyer (HT), Megan O’Connell for Evans (42), Anna Clifford for Brosnan (47), Keri Ann Hanrahan for O’Brien (59); Aoife Dillane for Murphy (59), Meadhbh Johnston for Ní Chonchúir (60)
Tipperary: Lauren Fitzpatrick (Ballymacarbry); Katie Neasa Towey (Templemore), Lauren Morrissey (Brian Borus), Emma Cronin (Moyle Rovers); Sarah English (Ardfinnan), Anna Rose Kennedy (Aherlow), Carrie Davey (Fethard); Caitlin Kennedy (Aherlow), Elaine Kelly (Cappawhite); Muireann Murphy (Brian Borus), Marie Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields), Cliona O’Dwyer (Brian Borus); Maria Curley (Templemore, Capt), Anna Carey (Clonmel Commercials), Niamh Martin (Sliabh na mBan).
Subs: Casey Hennessy (Boherlahan-Dualla) for Carey (38); Angela McGuigan (Eadestown) for Kelly (38); Clara English (Ardfinnan) for Towey (48), Niamh Hayes (Fethard) for Creedon (57).
Referee: Shane Curley (Galway)