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Daire Walsh on the Lidl National Football League Division 1 Final yesterday in Croke Park…
Armagh 2-12
Kerry 2-9
Hannah O’Donoghue of Kerry takes a shot under pressure from Grace Ferguson of Armagh during the Lidl LGFA National League Division 1 final match between Armagh and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile
Aimee Mackin and Kelly Mallon combined for 1-9 at Croke Park on Sunday as Armagh got the better of defending champions Kerry to claim the Lidl National Football League Division 1 title for the very first time.
Having lost out by three points to the Kingdom in a NFL Division 2 decider at the same venue two years ago, this is a sweet victory for an Armagh side that were also appearing in their maiden top tier league showpiece.
A fine point by Aoife McCoy edged Armagh in front for a second time after free-takers Mallon and Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh had exchanged early frees, but the Kingdom received a massive boost when Lorraine Scanlon fired to the net on 10 minutes after a dead-ball strike from Ní Mhuircheartaigh had dropped short.
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This was only a minor set-back for Armagh, however, as midfielder Niamh Coleman palmed a goal of her own after Kerry netminder Mary Ellen Bolger had knocked down Mackin’s attempt at a point.
Mary O’Connell of Kerry is tackled by Aimee Mackin of Armagh during the Lidl LGFA National League Division 1 final match between Armagh and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile
An earlier Mallon score meant Armagh led 1-3 to 1-1 on the first-quarter mark and this cushion was extended when Mallon superbly split the uprights from an acute left-hand angle.
Yet Kerry never allowed panic to creep into their play and three points on the bounce from Ní Mhuircheartaigh had the sides level at 1-4 apiece during the break.
After Mary O’Connell pounced on a defensive mishap by Armagh three minutes into the second half, Niamh Ní Chonchuir comfortably fired home a second Kingdom goal.
Danielle O’Leary of Kerry in action against Lauren McConville of Armagh during the Lidl LGFA National League Division 1 final match between Armagh and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile
While this looked like being a major blow for the Orchard County, but they were instead galvanised in the minutes that followed Ní Chonchuir’s major.
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After unanswered points from Mallon, Mackin (two) and Niamh Henderson moved Armagh in front once again, the increasingly-dangerous Mackin rifled an unstoppable shot to the roof of the Kerry net on 39 minutes.
Further points from the Shane O’Neills ace either side of the third-quarter mark suddenly left Armagh six ahead, but much-needed contributions from Ní Mhuircheartaigh (two) and Hannah O’Donoghue offered fresh life to the Kingdom challenge.
Kayleigh Cronin of Kerry in action against Sarah Quigley of Armagh during the Lidl LGFA National League Division 1 final match between Armagh and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile
Their deficit remained at three points when centre half-back Ciara Murphy cancelled out a Mallon free with a well-worked score, but even though Ní Mhuircheartaigh added her seventh point for a battling Kerry, substitute Corrina Doyle also found the range to ensure Armagh sealed a breakthrough success.
Scorers – Armagh: A Mackin 1-4 (0-2f), K Mallon 0-5 (3f), N Coleman 1-0, A McCoy, N Henderson, C Doyle 0-1 each.Kerry: L Ní Mhuircheartaigh 0-7 (6f), N Ní Chonchuir, L Scanlon 1-0 each, C Murphy, H O’Donoghue 0-1 each.
Armagh goalkeeper Anna Carr competes for a high ball against Emma Dineen of Kerry during the Lidl LGFA National League Division 1 final match between Armagh and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile
ARMAGH: A Carr; G Ferguson, C McCambridge, R Mulligan; C Towe, L McConville, D Coleman; N Coleman, C O’Hanlon; E Druse, A McCoy, L Kenny; A Mackin, N Henderson, K Mallon. Subs: S Quigley for N Coleman (24), C Doyle for Druse (49), M McCambridge for Kenny (57), S Grey for McCoy (58), E Lavery for Mallon (59).
KERRY: ME Bolger; C Lynch, D Kearney, E Lynch; A O’Connell, C Murphy, K Cronin; M O’Connell, A Galvin; N Carmody, N Ní Chonchuir, L Scanlon; H O’Donoghue, E Dineen, L Ní Mhuircheartaigh. Subs: D O’Leary for NíChonchuir, C O’Brien for Kearney (both 39), A Harrington for Scanlon (44), K Brosnan for O’Donoghue (57).
Referee: Gus Chapman (Sligo).
Emma Dineen of Kerry gets away from Grace Ferguson of Armagh during the Lidl LGFA National League Division 1 final match between Armagh and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Niamh Carmody of Kerry gets away from Niamh Henderson of Armagh during the Lidl LGFA National League Division 1 final match between Armagh and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh of Kerry during the Lidl LGFA National League Division 1 final match between Armagh and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Cáit Lynch of Kerry in action against Clodagh McCambridge of Armagh during the Lidl LGFA National League Division 1 final match between Armagh and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Emma Dineen of Kerry in action against Dearbhla Coleman and Róisín Mulligan of Armagh during the Lidl LGFA National League Division 1 final match between Armagh and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
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