TG4 Munster Senior Championship
By Anthony Newman
Kerry 2-6
Waterford 0-10
Kerry retained their TG4 Munster Senior Ladies Football Championship title in dramatic fashion at Mallow on Sunday.
For long periods of the game Waterford were in front and looked like running out winners, but a late goal from Mary O’Connell was the difference between the sides in the end.
That came after their first goal, in the 52nd minute, which put only a point between the sides.
But the experience of the title holders got them through this tough test as they retain the cup after a top-class game.
Kellyann Hogan opened the scoring for Waterford, with Caoimhe Evans replying for Kerry.
Kerry took the lead four minutes in, when Niamh Carmody scored from distance, despite playing against the strong wind.
Some good play, between Hogan and Karen McGrath set up Lauren McGregor to equalise for Waterford.
A blistering run from Hannah Power saw her play Clare Walsh in as the Deise went in front after nine minutes.
Using the wind in their favour they went further ahead when Brid McMaugh scored, to make it 0-4 to 0-2 after 10 minutes.
That became a three point lead when another great run, this time from McGregor, saw her split the posts.
Danielle O’Leary kept Kerry in touch when she pointed, as her side trailed by 0-5 to 0-3, after 22 minutes.
Hogan, who was dominating at midfield, got her second of the tie and she added another to make it 0-7 to 0-3 with four minutes to half time.
A free from Hogan put four between the sides, before Anna Galvin scored to make it 0-8 to 0-5 at half time and all to play for in the second half.
O’Shea got the first point of the second half to reduce the deficit as Kerry were now playing with the wind advantage.
Katie Murry kept Waterford’s running game going and it resulted in a fine point from Karen McGrath as Kerry were finding it difficult to deal with.
McGregor was on target again, as despite playing against the wind, Waterford were still much the better side, now leading by double scores, 0-10 to 0-6.
But from a Waterford wide Niamh Ní Chonchúir caught a brilliant ball in midfield, turned and took on the Waterford defence.
Her pass found O’Leary and she blasted to the back of the net, to make it 1-6 to 0-10 and it was game on again.
With two minutes to go Kerry took the lead when Mary O’Connell pounced on a short Waterford kickout to score their second goal, to make it 2-6 to 0-10.
Despite the best efforts of Waterford, the champions held out for the win as both move on to the All-Ireland series in a weeks.
In that Kerry will face Mayo and Cork, as Waterford will be pitted against Dublin and Leitrim.
Scorers for Kerry: D O’Leary 1-1, M O’Connell 1-0, S O’Shea 0-2 (2f), C Evans, N Carmody, A Galvin 0-1 each.
Waterford: K Hogan 0-4 (2f), L McGregor 0-3, B McMaugh, C Walsh, K McGrath 0-1 each.
KERRY: ME Bolger; E Lynch, D Kearney, F O’Donoghue; A O’Connell, E Costello, A Dillane; M O’Connell, A Galvin; N Carmody, N Ní Chonchúir, C Evans; D O’Leary, R Dwyer, S O’Shea.
Subs: C Lynch for A Dillane (7 bs), K Brosnan for R Dwyer (43), C Lynch for E Costello (46), R Rahilly for A Dillane (52), N Broderick for C Evans (60).
WATERFORD: K Gardiner; K McGrath, R Casey, C Murray; E Murray, E Power, A Murray; H Power, K Hogan; Á O’Neill, K Murray, B McMaugh; C Fennell, C Walsh, L McGregor.
Sub: M Ryan for A Murray (45).
Referee: Conor McCarthy, Cork.
Munster Senior B Championship
By Anthony Newman
Limerick 4-7
Clare 4-5
Limerick retained their Munster Senior Ladies Senor B Football Championship title after a highly entertaining game at Mallow on Sunday.
It was a goal feast all through, but in the end two late points from Limerick was the difference between the sides as they ran out just about deserving winners on the day.
There were impressive displays all over the pitch for the winners, with Yvonne Lee, Rebecca Delee and Roisin Ambrose the pick of Limerick.
A bursting run from Delee set up the opening score for Limerick as she took on the Clare defence to find Caoimhe McNamara who blasted to the corner of the net.
With five minutes gone they could have had a second goal, this time Amy Lenihan saved well to deny Roisin Ambrose a green flag.
Delee made another great run and this time she put the ball over the bar herself, to make it 1-1 to no score after six minutes.
Ambrose added another point before Teresa Collins got Clare’s first point, with nine minutes played.
They narrowed the deficit to a point after 15 minutes, when Megan Downes pounced on a defensive mistake to score a goal, to make it 1-2 to 1-1.
Clare turned the game on its head after 22 minutes, with two goals in a minute as they were now playing some great football.
The first was scored by Lucy Shanahan, who was quickest to react after her initial shot was saved and she made sure with the follow-up.
From the restart Shanahan regained possession and she played Chloe Moloney in, to make it 3-1 to 1-2.
Ambrose pulled a point back for Limerick and with three minutes to half time it was the Banner who were in front by 3-1 to 1-3.
But just before half time Limerick got their second goal, with Delee playing Cathy Mee in, to make it 3-1 to 2-3 and all to play for in the second half.
Two minutes into the second half and the sides were level when Caoimhe McGrath pointed for Limerick. Collins put Clare back in front, but from the restart Limerick got their third goal.
Ambrose picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch and drove at the Clare defence. She beat several players before playing Mee in to score, making it 3-4 to 3-2.
They could have had another goal, but this time Lenihan made another great save to deny Orla Ryan.
Meadhbh MacNamara added a point for Limerick to stretch their lead and with 40 minutes gone it was 3-5 to 3-2 in their favour.
But again Clare responded and after a goalmouth scramble Ellie Hanrahan scored their fourth goal to level it, 4-2 to 3-5.
Points from Shanahan and Moloney put Clare in front, before Limerick got their fourth goal to retake the lead, after 49 minutes.
A long ball in from Ambrose deceived the Clare defence and bounced into the back of the net, to make it 4-5 to 4-4 in her side’s favour.
A free from Moloney had Clare back on level terms, before an Ambrose free put Limerick back in front.
Delee added another from play, and with two minutes to go it was 4-7 to 4-5 to Limerick.
They proved to be the final scores as Limerick retained their title after a game worthy of the final.
Scorers for Limerick: C Mee 2-1, R Ambrose 1-2 (1f), C McNamara 1-0, R Delee 0-2, C McGrath, M MacNamara 0-1 each.
Clare: C Moloney 1-2 (1f), L Shanahan 1-1, M Downes, E Hanrahan 1-0 each, T Collins 0-2.
LIMERICK: S Hennessy; S Dillon, Y Lee, C Hynes; G Lee, L O’Brien, M MacNamara; O Ryan, G Mullane; C McGrath, R Delee, C McNamara; C Mee, T Geoghegan, R Ambrose.
Subs: G Keane for T Geoghegan (38), E Woulfe for G Mullane (44), A O’Sullivan for C McNamara (50).
CLARE: A Lenihan; C Byrne, G Harvey, R Doohan; S Melican, J Doohan, E Burke; T Collins, R Martin; M Downes, C Moloney, L Conway; E McNamara, E Hanrahan, L Shanahan.
Subs: C Harvey for E McNamara (54), E O’Malley for L Shanahan (60).
Referee: Seamus Mulvihill, Kerry.
