Armagh 2-07 Kerry 1-19

TG4 Ladies Senior Championship Round 2 Qulaifiers Armagh 2-07 Kerry 1-19

Armagh Ladies interest in the 2010 championship was ended yesterday after a defeat by a more efficient Kerry side in Athlone. Once again a failure to get out of the traps cost Armagh dearly; Kerry were eight points up before Armagh had even registered a score after 20 minutes.Louise Ni Mhuirceartaigh terrorised the Armagh defence from the start and she opened the scoring for her side after a good piece of direct football from the Kingdom. Patrice Denehy, Lorraine Scanlon, Ni Mhuirceartaigh and Mags O’Donoghue all added scores before Mags McAlinden got Armagh off the mark with a point after 20 minutes. Kerry had the perfect response when nippy corner forward Saragh Houlihan bagged herself a goal but finally the game cracked into life when Maria O’Donnell responded with an Armagh goal following a great delivery by Caroline O’Hanlon.

O’Donnell was on the mark again minutes later, showing a great piece of individual skill to work herself into a position to score another goal. Kerry were much more fluid in attack and found scores much easier to come by. They finished the half with a
flourish with points from O’Donoghue, Ni Mhuirceartaigh (2) and Lorraine Scanlon.
Fionnula McKenna earned Armagh a free which Caroline O’Hanlon converted to keep the score board ticking over, leaving Armagh facing a half time deficit of 2-2 to 1-12.

Aoibheann McKenna made a good impact on her introduction setting Maria O’Donnell up for the opening score of the second half. Debra Murphy replied in kind for Kerry before the fulcrum of their attack, Louise Ni Mhuirceartaigh was sinbinned. Despite being reduced to 14 players Kerry pushed on with a spectacular point by Louise Galvin extending their advantage. Mags McAlinden pulled one back for Armagh and the Orchard began to lift their game. Only an excellent piece of goal keeping from Edel Murphy denied the Orchard a third goal and Marian McGuinness reduced the gap to seven with a fine point.

Sarah Houlihan had the last say of the half with a hat trick of points cancelling scores by Maria O’Donnell and Kelly Mallon. It left the score reading 1-19 to 2-07 in favour of Kerry. Although it was disappointing to exit the championship after showing only
glimpses of their potential it was the same failure to start the game strongly that cost Armagh as it has so often this year.

Ladies football action will continue in the county with the upcoming county finals on 28th and 29th August.

Armagh: C McAlinden, C Marley, D Mallon, S McCoy, S Marley, C McCann, G McAlinden, C O’Hanlon (0-1), S Reel, M Moriarty, F McKenna, M McGuinness(0- 1), M McAlinden (0-2) , A Lennon, M O’Donnell (2-2) Subs Used: A McKenna, L Brown, K Mallon (0-1), A Matthews, R O’Reilly

Kerry: E Murphy, K Gleeaon, A Leonard, G Crowley, C Buckley, A Lyons, B Lane, L Scanlon, B Breen, M O’Donoghue, D Murphy, L Galvin, P Denehy, L Ni Mhuirceartaigh, S Houlihan