14 May 2007 Kerry lose their way in Blennerville Share this Article 0 0 0 Shares! 0 Shares! Kerry lose their way in Blennerville Kerry 1-9 Waterford 3-5 Kerry ladies face a few days of soul searching after falling to Waterford in Sunday’s Munster semi-final. It’s hard to pin point why Kerry are facing the last chance saloon in Munster (Kerry face Cork at a home venue yet to be finalised before going to print, with the winners to face the Deices in the Provincial decider in a few weeks time). Kerry players Eimear Foley and Mairead Finnegan were at a loss afterwards to pinpoint where Kerry had let the game after them despite leading at the interval by five points and having the use of the wind for the second period. ” We didn’t utilise our chances after the break and just couldn’t work the ball out of defence in the second half. It was almost like a re-run of the Galway match (the league semi-final) and dissapointingly from our point of view, two of the second half goals came from unmarked players. I thought the decision for the penalty was debatable as I thought I blocked it fairly but the referee felt I used the foot to pull off the save” commented Na Gaeil goalkeeper Eimear Foley. Her thoughts were backed up by wing back Mairead Finnegan as she felt Kerry once again flattered to deceive when the game was there for the taking ” I was happy enough at the break as we had done very well into the breeze. I don’t know what happened after half-time, we didn’t stick to the gameplan and we just couldn’t lift it when we needed to. The strength in depth in the panel was tested today as we have several players out through injury and it might be tricky for the next day as some of the girls have exams. We’ll have a right go at Cork as we have nothing to lose at this stage as regards Munster”. Certainly Kerry can have a cut at the All Ireland champions Cork on Sunday but it would appear beyond them to turn around seven days later and dethrone the Provincial champions. The loss of captain Sarah O’Connor is incalculable to the side and Catherine Sexton, Debra Murphy and Cassandra Buckley would all be on Robbie Griffin’s starting 15. Perhaps it’s strength in depth that is a real issue for the Kerry management as they look to pick up the pieces after the weekend’s reversal. 20 minutes in it appeared Kerry were well on their way to the Final as points from play by Gearaldine O’Shea and a brace by Kacey O’Driscoll (one free) along with a cracking goal from the boot of Katie Kennelly (the Ballybunion lady sorching the net from all of 30 yards) had Kerry 1-3 to 0-0 ahead. Waterford opened their account on 21 minutes through Michelle Ryan and the sides traded two further points each to leave it 1-5 to 0-3 at the break. With the wind at their backs in the second half the game was there for Kerry’s taking. All week long Robbie Griffin was trying to ingrain the plan of letting the fast ball into Kerry’s inside trio of O’Shea, O’Driscoll and Edel Murphy. Inexplicably and to their cost Kerry laboured on the ball and a more physical and greater intensity came from the visitors. Michelle Ryan with two and another goal from Aoife Murphy left Kerry searching for a way back into the game as those three green flags in eight minutes entering the final quarter left Kerry reeling. Kerry kept in touch with points from O’Shea and O’Driscoll but will rue some easy misses and a last gasp effort from 16 year old Edel Murphy that was turned away by the Waterford goalie. They’ll be some harsh words at training in the weeks ahead but Cork always focus the minds of Kerry people and let’s hope the backlash on Sunday is worth watching. Kerry: Emer Foley, Caroline Kelly, Grainne N Fhlatharta, Jenny Johnson, Siobhán Fleming, Sarah Jane Joy, Mairead Finnegan, Margaret O’Donoghue, Neasa Ni Shuilleabháin, Patrice Dennehy, Katie Kennelly, Amanda Brosnan, Edel Murphy, Kacey O’Driscoll, Geraldine O’Shea Subs: Rachel Cronin for Brosnan Waterford: Amy Jordan, Grainne Kennelly, Rebecca Hallahan, Eibhlís Scanlon, Louise Ryan, Mary O’Driscoll, Lorraine Whelan, Cliona O’Keefe, Michelle Ryan, Deirdre Breathnach, Karen Kelly, Mary O’Rourke, Mairead Wall Sub: Aoife Murphy for Cooney Scorers: Kerry: Geraldine O’Shea and Kacey O’Driscoll (0-4, 2f), Katie Kennelly (1-0), Patrice Dennehy (0-1) Waterford: Michelle Ryan (2-1, 1-0 pen,1f), Aoife Murphy (1-0), Mary O’Rourke (0-2), Linda and Mairead Wall (0-1) each Referee: Keith Delahunty (Tipperary) Nice to report that there was a decent size crowd at Sunday match that was preceeded by an U-12 exhibition game between Corca Dhuibhne and CastleIsland Desmonds. Among those spotted in the attendance was North Kerry TD Martin Ferris who had a busy weekend of football action as his club Ardfert continue on their remarkable championship winning run spanning over two years. Share this Article 0 0