Goals from Mary O’Connell and Ella Teahan guided Kerry u/14’s to a deserved 2-11 to 3-4 victory over Cork in the Munster Championship game played in John Mitchels, Tralee on Saturday.

The teams went in level with 1-4 each at half time, although the Kerry girls looked the much more impressive outfit in the first half.

Kerry were dealt a body blow at the start of the second half when Aoife Twomey goaled for the rebels, however an impressive 1-7 without reply put the Kingdom firmly in control of the game.

Cork did score a goal again in the 30th minute to ensure a nervy finish to the game, Kerry had the hard work done though and ran out winners by 4 points.

Kerry were well served by the outstanding Rachel O’Connor at full back, she was well assisted by Aoife Dillane and Ava Doherty in defence , Siofra O’Shea and Mary O’Connell dominated midfield, while Ella Teahan , Rachel Kilgallen, Danielle O’Leary and Rachel Dwyer were impressive in the forwards.  Goalkeeper Ciara Butler was also solid all through, her point blank save in the first half was one of the highlights of the game.

The Kerry minor ladies suffered a 4-16 to 2-9 defeat to Cork in Farranfore, also on Saturday.

Cork blitzed the Kingdom in the first half ,with forwards Grace Culloty and Laura Cleary helping themselves to  2-5 and 1-4 respectively, to see reds leading by 3-14 to 0-4 at the break.

Kerry came out with renewed vigour in the second half and took the game to their opponents. Outstanding performances from Sarah Murphy, Emma Dineen, Eilish O’Leary, Elizabeth Mohan and 2 goal substitute Andrea Murphy enabled Kerry to outscore Cork by 2-5 to 1-2 in this period

It wasn’t enough to garner the win , and in the end Cork finished 13 points to the good.

The second half performance will give Kerry massive hope and encouragement for the rest of the campaign.