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The Kerry u16's under the management of James Cronin and David O'Connor romped to a 23 point victory over Cork in the Munster u16 final in Brosna on Saturday. A superb display of football brought us our first Provinicial title at any level in 2 years and the girls now face Sligo in the All Ireland semi-final scheduled to be played on the weekend of August 7/8. Congratulations to the girls, the backroom team and their families and supporters on what was a fantatic day in Brosna. Special mention also to the hosts Brosna. The pitch was in excellent shape, the addition of a piper was also unique and a great day was had by all. Read on for a full match report.
 David O'Connor  James Cronin  Munster Champs
Munster Ladies Football U16 Championship Final
Kerry 5-11
Cork 0-3
Long after the final whistle had blown in Brosna on Saturday the scoreline of 5-11 to 0-3 in favour of Kerry was proudly displayed on the scoreboard. It must have been a welcome sight for the long suffering supporters of Kerry Ladies football who have had to endure many a drubbing at the hands of Cork in recent years. To put this result into context Cork were seeking their 10th Munster u16 title in a row while Kerry have not won a Provincial title at any level since the u14's captured the Munster title back in 2008. Cork have dominanated Kerry in Ladies Football over the past decade but this 23 point defeat to a brilliant Kerry side will have surely rocked the Rebellettes. When you add the Kerry Senior's recent positive display against Cork in the Munster Senior Football Championship it appears that Ladies football is about to turn a long and winding corner. The Kerry Ladies Board must also take credit for introducing the newly structured County League, for also introducing a newly structured Development plan and for having the courage to make some difficult decisions in recent months.
It is almost impossible to emphasise the importance of this victory to Kerry Ladies football. This u16 side won the All Ireland title at u14 level and have long since been flagged as the future of Kerry ladies football. The pressure was really on for the new Kerry management team of David O'Connor, James Cronin, Breda Slattery and Billy Mangan to develop this side's obvious potential. Thankfully they did more than that and produced a team that played football in the true tradition of Kerry. From one to fifteen the Kerry girls fought for every ball and supporters of Kerry football would have been proud of this display.
Kerry played against the breeze in the first half and it was Cork who hit the front with an opening Joanne Down point in the 3rd minute. Kerry settled quickly however and started to play a superb brand of football. The six defenders stood tight to their opponents and supported the attack when they could, midfield ran the game, while the forwards had that extra bit of class in front of goal. Every Kerry player also had the awareness to look up and find a pass and their support play and use of the hand pass was a joy to behold.
Leanne Mangan opened Kerry's scoring with a pointed free and she then ghosted into space to finish superbly to the net. Captain Anna Galvin added another point before the star of the first half Laura Rodgers scored her only point of the game. The Stacks player was simply superb in midfield, alongside the hard working Marie Quirke and based on her displays this season, Rodgers is one of the most promising players in the county.
Claire O'Sullivan added a second goal before Tessa Crowley replied with a point for Cork. This was the Rebelettes last score of the half however as Kerry up the ante in the second quarter of the game. Another peach of a goal by Mangan was followed by a sniping run and point by the brilliant Nicole O'Connor. O'Connor then burst through once more to set up Mangan for her third goal in the 22nd minute. Mangan's finishing was key to this Kerry performance. The Castlisland Desmonds star ghosted into space and tormented the Cork full back line with awareness and coolness in front of goal.
In desperation Cork moved their star forward Doireann O'Sullivan to the role of sweeper in front of the full back line but this only further played into Kerry's hands. Barbara Browne who marked O'Sullivan out of the game sallied up field and kicked a goal and a point to add to a Ciara Griffin point to give Kerry an interval lead of 5-6 to 0-2. Browne was another player who emerged from this game with enormous credit. Playing in front of her own supporters the Brosna girl scored 1-2 from the position of half back while holding Cork's most dangerous forward scoreless.
The second half was more about containment than anything else for the Cork players and Kerry simply went through the motions at times. The game was played in front of a large and passionate following and the open spaces of the superbly maintained Brosna pitch really suited Kerry's running style. Kerry still managed to outscore Cork by five points to one in the second half with Nicole O'Connor in inspirational form and the Kerry defence were on top throughout. Ciara Murphy, Kate O'Sullivan and Sinead Guiney were dominant all dominant with O'Sullivan particularly impressive in the corner. Ayesha Riche also did well while Eibhlís Dillon from Duagh is another who has a big future in the game.
Kerry now go on to meet Galway in the All Ireland semi-final on August 7th. They met Galway two years ago in the All Ireland u14 final and won in a cracking contest and this year's clash should be something similar. If Kerry can repeat their first half performance against Cork and cut out their tendency to shoot wildly then they have every chance of repeating that success.
Kerry: Michelle O'Connor (Sneem/Kenmare), Kate Ní Shúilleabhán (Corca Dhuibhne), Sinead Guiney (Castleisland Desmonds), Ayesha Roche (Na Gaeil), Eibhlís Dillon (Duagh), Ciara Ní Mhurchú (Corca Dhuibhne), Barbara Browne (Brosna) (1-2), Marie Quirke (Na Gaeil), Laura Rodgers (Austin Stacks) (0-1), Claire O'Sullivan (Sneem/Kenmare) (1-0), Anna Galvin (Southern Gaels) (0-1), Sabrina Sheehan (Glenbeigh), Nicole O'Connor (Ballyduff) (0-3), Ciara Griffin (Castleisland Desmonds) (0-1), Leanne Mangan (Castleisland Desmonds) (3-3,2F) Subs used: Megan O'Connell, Sarah Kelly, Amy Fitzgerald (all Southern Gaels), Caoimhe O'Sullivan (Listowel), Laura Sheeran (Duagh)
Cork: Jean O'Sullivan, Alanna Barry, Sinead Cotter, Meadbh Flynn, Cliona Twohig, Rachel Barrett, Orla Healy, Shauna Kelly, Rachel O'Shea, Jennifer Barry, Tessa Crowley (0-1), Roisín Phelan, Doireann O'Sullivan, Lauren Murphy (0-1), Joanne Down (0-1) Subs used; Máire O'Callaghan, Laura Crowley, Jennifer Cahill, Cliodhna Connolly
Ref: Jason Mullins (Limerick)
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