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Kerry Camogie PRO, Risteárd Ó Fuaráin, with his report on yesterday’s historic win…
Kerry 0-11
Limerick 0-8
Kerry Camogie team watches captain Niamh Leen lift the cup.
Kerry faced Limerick in the Premier Junior decider at Croke Park on Sunday hoping to banish the disappointment of their 2018 loss.
On a perfect day for camogie, Patrice Diggin launched the first Kerry attack after 25 seconds but her shot was dealt with by Limerick goalkeeper Leah O’Carroll.
In the 2nd minute Limerick created a goalscoring opportunity when Michelle Curtin won a ball but her handpass to Ella Whelan who was in a great position was blocked by Elaine Ryall.
Seconds later Sara Murphy hooked Ella Whelan as she attempted to raise a white flag. Kerry got off the mark in the 5th minute when Bríd Horan scored a beautiful point.
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Limerick drew level in the 7th minute when Rebecca Noonan converted a peach of a free from the Cusack Stand side of the pitch.
Seconds later Michelle Curtin of Limerick went on a run but her shot went narrowly wide. In the 10th minute Jackie Horgan was fouled and Patrice Diggin converted the free.
Great work by Templeglantine’s Noelle Curtin was rewarded with a fine point in the 12th minute. In the 14th minute Julianne O’Keeffe struck a beautiful ball to put Kerry back in front.
Patrice Diggin scored from play in the 15th minute and followed this with a point from a free in the 17th.
The same player found Jackie Horgan in the 21st minute and she put Kerry into a four-point lead, 0-6 to 0-2. Rebecca Noonan converted another free in the 23rd minute.
A quick free to Michelle Curtin of Limerick in the 27th minute saw her split the posts and the final point of the half was scored by Rebecca Noonan in the 4th minute of injury time to leave the halftime score at Kerry 0-6 Limerick 0-5. Kerry made two halftime substitutions.
Ann-Marie Leen replaced Jessica Fitzell and Clodagh Walsh replaced Bríd Horan. It did not take Clodagh Walsh long to make her mark as she scored a point within seconds.
A lovely strike by Rachel McCarthy in the 37th minute was followed by another Rebecca Noonan converted free in the 38th.
Quick thinking by Patrice Diggin in the 43rd minute saw her direct a quick free to Sara Murphy and she raised another white flag to put Kerry three ahead. A Patrice free in the 45th minute was cancelled out by a Rebecca Noonan free a minute later.
Limerick substitute Shauna D’Arcy got her name on the scoreboard in the 48th minute. Kerry made their third substitution as Alanna Maunsell replaced Julianne O’Keeffe.
Patrice Diggin added another pointed free to her tally in the 54th minute. Limerick tried hard to get an equalising goal but the Kerry backs stood firm to record a historic victory for Kerry Camogie on a scoreline of 0-11 to 0-8.
Camogie President Kathleen Woods presented the Kathleen Mills Cup to Niamh Leen amid scenes of great celebration. Limerick can be very proud of their efforts as they never gave up and there is no doubt that this bunch of Treaty Women will be a force to be reckoned with in next year’s championship.
However, following last year’s disappointment, it was a proud day for the Kerry Team and Management. Well done to all involved. Comhghairdeachas libh go leir!
Kerry Scorers: Patrice Diggin 0-5 (0-4f), Bríd Horan, Jackie Horgan, Julianne O’Keeffe, Rachel McCarthy, Sara Murphy and Clodagh Walsh each scored 0-1.
Limerick Scorers: Rebecca Noonan 0-5 (0-5f), Noelle Curtin, Ella Whelan and Shauna D’Arcy each scored 0-1.
KERRY: Aoife Fitzgerald, Áine O’Connor, Liz Houlihan, Michelle Costello, Niamh Leen, Sara Murphy, Elaine Ryall, Patrice Diggin, Laura Collins, Jessica Fitzell, Jackie Horgan, Rachel McCarthy, Bríd Horan, Julianne O’Keeffe, Olivia Dineen.
Subs: Ann-Marie Leen for Jessica Fitzell (HT), Clodagh Walsh for Bríd Horan (HT), Alanna Maunsell for Julianne O’Keeffe (48).
LIMERICK: Leah O’Carroll, Kate Herbert, Yvonne Lee, Eva Butler, Sarah Shanahan, Aoife Coughlan, Sinéad McElligott, Orlaith Kelleher, Ann Kennedy, Rebecca Noonan, Geri Mai O’Kelly, Noelle Curtin, Michelle Curtin, Grace Lee, Ella Whelan.
Subs: Leanne Browne for Orlaith Kelleher (35), Shauna D’Arcy for Geri Mai O’Kelly (44), Caroline Brennan for Grace Lee (45), Katie Carroll for Noelle Curtin (55).
Referee: Gavin Donegan (Dublin).
