Kerry battle with Laois to stay on top

Kerry qualified for the knock out stages of the Suzuki Ladies National Football League when they managed to turn around a seven point final quarter deficit in this fourth round League tie against Laois in Timahoe.
There is every likelihood that Kerry will now top their group as they face a final round match against bottom of the table Wexford at home in two weeks time. Kerry were outplayed by Laois for long periods in this game but once again Kerry’s new found courage and determination were enough to help them grab a share of the spoils.

It did look for long periods that Kerry were going to come away empty handed against Laois. The Leinster ladies raced into a 2-7 to 1-4 lead at half time and totally dominated the first half. Martha Kirwan and Gemma O’Connor provided their goals while they looked capable of scoring with every attack. In the sixteenth minute a mix up in the Kerry defence saw Gemma O’Connor convert the easiest of goal chances. Kirwan added Laois’ second goal five minutes later. Kerry remained in sight of Laois largely due to the sharp shooting of young players Sarah Houlihan and Louise Ni Mhuircheataigh and of course the input of their redoubtable captain Geraldine O’Shea who finished the game with a total 0-6. Laois, who lost both of their opening League games by a single point, were determined to get their first points of their League campaign. On this form they certainly will pose a serious threat in the upcoming championship.

The reigning Leinster champions opened the second half with a point from Gemma O’Connor but Kerry quickly replied with a couple of points from Geraldine O’Shea and Louis Ni Mhuircheartaigh. Laois continued to dominate and added some fine points from play to leave a score line of Laois 2-11 Kerry 1-07 heading into the final quarter of the game.

Patrice Dennehy started the Kerry come back with a wonderful 45 metre free in the 19th minute, which was quickly followed by an Aoife O Sullivan goal. Kerry were suddenly dominating all sectors of the pitch but failed to add to their tally, despite some having some good scoring chances. Louise Ni Muircheartiagh spurned an excellent chance of scoring another goal in the 25th minute but she regrouped to score a valuable point two minutes later in the 27th minute. Once again it was time for experience to tell and it was who else but Geraldine O’Shea who was on hand to convert two frees in the dying moments to secure an unlikely point for Kerry.

Kerry will now take on Wexford in their final group game in two weeks time. Home advantage and the fact that Wexford have struggled throughout the League should hopefully ensure a Kerry victory. Kerry would then top the group and take on the runners up in Group 1B. At this stage it looks like their opponents will be Galway. Kerry played Galway in the semi-final of the League last season and were defeated in Tuam. They will hope on this occasion to reverse that result and book a place in a National Final for the first time in some years. Kerry now have beaten 3 of the 4 Provincial Championship winners of 2007

Kerry
Laoise O’Driscoll: Mairead Finnegan, Grainne Ni Fhlatharta, Maura O’Connor, Joanne Brosnan, Caroline Kelly, Bernie Cronin: Mags O’Donoghue, Bernie Breen: Aoife O’Sullivan (1-0), Patrice Dennehy (0-2), Louise Ni Mhuircheartigh (0-3), Sarah Houlihan (1-0), Debra Murphy, Geraldine O’Shea (0-6)
Subs:
Cassandra Buckley for Joanne Brosnan ( inj), Sarah Jane Joy for Maura O’Connor, Ciara O Sullivan for Debra Murphy and Catherine Sexton for Sarah Houlihan