Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Kerry celebrate. Evan Treacy/INPHO

Kerry power past Galway to lift Division 1 title for 12th time

It finished Kerry 5-11 Galway 1-10 at Croke Park.

Kerry 5-11

Galway 1-10

Daire Walsh reports from Croke Park

KERRY PRODUCED A stellar performance at Croke Park to earn their 12th Lidl NFL Division 1 crown with a comprehensive win against Galway.

Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh, Hannah O’Donoghue and captain Siofra O’Shea all scored goals over the course of the action to complement a two-goal salvo from Niamh Ní Chonchúir as the Kingdom reached the top of the NFL ladder for the first time since 1991.

Just 17 seconds had elapsed when a Leanne Coen point edged Galway in front, but Niamh Carmody responded swiftly with a similar score at the opposite end. Last year’s skipper Anna Galvin subsequently moved the Kingdom into the ascendancy with a sharp score on the turn, before Ní Chonchúir rattled the net on the stroke of 10 minutes.

Buoyed by this score, Kerry scored another goal on the first-quarter mark when marauding full-back Kayleigh Cronin passed the ball inside for Ní Mhuircheartaigh to palm home.

Their Connacht counterparts attempted to build momentum with Olivia Divilly and Roisin Leonard points either side of a fine effort from distance by Lorraine Scanlon for Kerry, while Leonard knocked over her second free in the 20th-minute.

The Munster outfit continued to play with great confidence, however, as Ní Chonchúir and Ní Mhuircheartaigh (free) contributed additional points to give them a 2-5 to 0-4 cushion at the break.

After Galvin, Ní Mhuircheartaigh and Carmody registered consecutive points for the Kingdom on the restart, O’Shea released Ní Chonchúir at the end of a powerful run for her second goal on 38 minutes.

Within seconds, Hannah O’Donoghue got on the end of a move that was instigated by Carmody for yet another goal and the Beaufort attacker followed up with three points in succession to leave Kerry with an unassailable 4-11 to 0-4 lead.

Kate Slevin finally responded for the westerners with a point and the Claregalway corner-forward – who has represented the Republic of Ireland in underage soccer – also converted a 45th-minute penalty to provide her team with some form of solace.

Yet Kerry grabbed a fifth goal through the industrious O’Shea inside the final-quarter and even though Slevin (two), substitute Shauna Brennan (two) and Divilly kicked unanswered points late on, Galway’s search for a breakthrough Division 1 success will continue into 2024.

Scorers – Kerry: N Ní Chonchúir 2-1, H O’Donoghue 1-3, L Ní Mhuircheartaigh 1-2 (0-2f), S O’Shea 1-0, N Carmody, A Galvin 0-2 each, L Scanlon 0-1. Galway: K Slevin 1-3 (1-0 pen, 0-2f), R Leonard (2f), O Divilly, S Brennan 0-2 each, L Coen 0-1.

KERRY: ME Bolger; E Lynch, K Cronin, C Murphy; A O’Connell, E Costello, C Lynch; L Scanlon, M O’Connell; N Carmody, N Ní Chonchúir, A Galvin; H O’Donoghue, S O’Shea, L Ní Mhuircheartaigh.

Subs: A Harrington for M O’Connell (43), C Evans for Ní Chonchúir (49), A Dillane for Murphy, L Galvin for Costello (both 52), F Tangney for O’Donoghue (53).

GALWAY: A Griffin; K Geraghty, S Ní Loingsigh, E Gavin; C Cooney, N Ward, A Molloy; A Davoren, S Divilly; L Coen, L Ward, O Divilly; E Noone, R Leonard, K Slevin.

Subs: C Trill for Gavin (25), S Brennan for Leonard (h-t), T Leonard for E Noone, H Noone for Molloy (both 39), L Noone for S Divilly (43).

Ref: Jonathan Murphy (Carlow)

Written by Daire Walsh 

The Journal publishes the biggest breaking news in Irish and international sport but for all of The 42′s insightful analysis and sharp sportswriting, subscribe here.

Author
View comments
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gregson from the Block
    Favourite Gregson from the Block
    Report
    May 4th 2023, 9:47 AM

    Always amazes me that a lad on the sideline or up in the stand can see better what’s going on from 80 yards away than a ref who is right on top of the play.

    82
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vinnie Cooney
    Favourite Vinnie Cooney
    Report
    May 4th 2023, 9:51 AM

    @Gregson from the Block: did you ever think of doing the referees course and taking it up yourself?

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gregson from the Block
    Favourite Gregson from the Block
    Report
    May 4th 2023, 10:10 AM

    @Vinnie Cooney: I’ve been reffing for years. My comment was aimed at all the geniuses in the stands who believe they can see better from 80 yards away. I should have phrased it better

    138
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tricia G
    Favourite Tricia G
    Report
    May 4th 2023, 11:13 AM

    @Gregson from the Block: You phrased it just fine.

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute TL55
    Favourite TL55
    Report
    May 4th 2023, 12:12 PM

    @Gregson from the Block: To say nothing of a lot of them knowing little about the actual rules.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fuji Hakayito
    Favourite Fuji Hakayito
    Report
    May 4th 2023, 12:30 PM

    @Gregson from the Block: you didn’t have to explain yourself bud. Vinnie obviously has trouble with written comprehension.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Neary
    Favourite John Neary
    Report
    May 4th 2023, 2:14 PM

    Liam Collins was denied the opportunity to play for the under 20s by the Galway Senior Hurling Manager. A shame really as the under 20s needed him more.

    7
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds