Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 Round 2

Kerry 0-8 Dublin 1-8

When Kerry look back on their 3 point loss to Dublin in the Lidl NFL Rd 2 game in Castleisland last Sunday they will regret the 12 bad wides that they shot in the game ,with 8 alone in the first half. Let’s make no mistake about it, this game was there for the taking, but Kerry’s failure to convert their chances cost them dearly in the finish.

Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh and Dublin’s Sinead Aherne are 2 of the best forwards in ladies football at the moment, and both starred for their sides on Sunday with Aherne slotting over 6 points, 1 from play and Ni Mhuircheartaigh with 6 points, 3 from play  . Unfortunately for Ni Mhuircheartaigh she finished on the losing side for the second week in a row as Aherne’s Dublin were much more economical in possession and took their chances when they presented themselves.

Dublin’s goal in the 3rd minute by Kate McKenna was definitely of the soft variety as her mis hit shot somehow ended up in the back of Elaine O’Sullivan’s net. Kerry had started brightly with points from Laura Rogers and a free from the boot of Ni Mhuircheartaigh as Graham Shine’s 11 positional changes to the team after the 18 point loss to Cork a week earlier appeared to be paying dividends.Then came McKenna’s goal and Aherne opened her account shortly afterwards with a 30 metre free and she added another 2 to put Dublin 1-3 to 0-2 ahead with 10 minutes gone in what was an absorbing contest..

The heavens then opened and the hailstone made the ball handling even more difficult for the players as unforced errors became more prominent in the game. Nicole Owens at wing forward for Dublin put over 2 points on the bounce but Ni Mhuircheartaigh replied for the Kingdom with 2 of her own .Kerry then kicked some very poor wides rom decent positions and you could hear the groans coming from the support in the stand .The Kingdom trailed by 4 points at the break, 1-5 to 0-4, but must have taken encouragement from the excellent first half contributions of Ni Mhuircheartaigh , Lorraine Scanlon, Emma Sherwood, Amanda Brosnan and Aislinn Desmond.

Kerry started the second half brightly once more and Scanlon banged over an early point after a good run. Ni Mhuircheartaigh followed with two from play and brought Kerry back to within just one (0-7 to 1-5) by the 38th minute. Kerry continued to force the pressure but found it extremely difficult to penetrate the hard tackling Dublin defence. Sinead Aherne pointed 2 free for Dublin in the 40th minute against the run of play and this score seemed to give Dublin a renewed energy. Kerry were then dealt a lifeline when substitute Lauren Magee was black carded after a high tackle on Denise Hallissey but it was the Dubs that pushed on and Aherne put over 2 more frees to push them 4 up.

Kerry missed an easy looking chance for a point from a free and from the kickout it took a vital touch from the back pedaling Caroline Kelly to prevent Dublin from scoring a certain goal. Kerry substitute Erin Finucane was unlucky when her goalbound shot was excellently tipped away by Dublin goalkeeper Ciara Trant. before Ní Mhuircheartaigh pointed from a free.The final whistle then sounded and Dublin finishing as 1-8 to 0-8 victors.

Afterwards Kerry midfielder Lorraine Scanlon was named the Vincent Murphy Sports Player of the Game.

Kerry: Elaine O Sullivan, Aislinn Desmond, Caroline Kelly, Eilis Lynch, Ciara Murphy, Emma Sherwood, Sarah Murphy, Lorraine Scanlon 0-1, Amanda Brosnan, Laura Rogers 0-1, Anna Galvin,Denise Hallisey, Sarah Houlihan, Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh 0-6(0-3f), Miriam O Keefe.Subs: Eilish O’Leary for O’Keefe(22min), Erin Finucane for Houlihan (44), Jackie Horgan for Galvin (53).

Dublin: Ciara Trant, Fiona Hudson, Olwen Carey, Aoife Kane, Martha Byrne, Noelle Healy, Niamh Collins, Sarah McCaffrey, Molly Lamb, Nicole Owens (0-2), Siobhan Woods, Rebecca McDonnell, Olivia Leonard, Kate McKenna (1-0), Sinead Aherne 0-6(0-5f). Subs: Lauren McGee for McCaffrey (h/t)), Amy Conroy for Leonard (h/t), Leah Caffrey for Kane (h/t), Lyndsey Davey for McKenna (38min), Hannah O’Neill for Lamb (40min), Maria McGrath for Woods (55min).