Report MFC Dublin v Kerry
- Jul 20,2023
*** MATCH REPORT ***
ZuCar All-Ireland Minor B Ladies Football Semi-Final
Kerry 1-12 Dublin 2-3
By Cóilín Duffy
Dublin’s quest for ZuCar All-Ireland Minor B Ladies Football silverware came to an end at the penultimate stage in Cahir, Co. Tipperary on Wednesday night.
In ideal conditions Fintan Curry’s charges came up against a determined Kerry side, whose strong defensive capabilities proved tough to crack, despite Dublin claiming two first-half goals.
These ‘major’s’ from St. Brigid’s Ashling Nyhan and Whitehall Colmcille’s Nia Hannon certainly kept the Sky Blue and Navy clad side in contention, with Dublin only trailing by a point at the interval.
However, Kerry held Dublin scoreless between the 17th and 49th minutes - Kate O’Toole ending the scoring drought with a pointed free.
Indeed, Dublin claimed back-to-back scores in quick succession, with a point from substitute Lucy Ahern of Na Fianna cutting the gap to four points, with 10 and a half minutes of normal time remaining.
But that was Dublin’s final score, as Kerry tagged on two unanswered points to finish six point winners.
Earlier, Kerry dominated the opening stages of this game, and had two wides on the board inside the first 100 seconds.
The Kingdom registered 1-2 unanswered by the eighth minute, with points from Amy Curtin and Leah McMahon either side of a McMahon sixth minute goal.
Dublin goalkeeper Kadie Martin showed signs of what was to come from her, by initially pulling off a brilliant save, before McMahon followed up from close range on the rebound.
Erin’s Isle player Martin was to have a strong impact throughout this game in helping to keep Dublin in contention.
Dublin eventually opened their scoring account in the 11th minute in spectacular fashion.
The ball was worked in well to Ashling Nyhan, who launched a spectacular effort all the way to the back of the net from 35 metres.
Kerry registered two wides, before excellent work by Elsa Kearney resulted in a free which Nia Hannon converted in the 15th minute.
Kadie Martin was once again on hand to pull off a fabulous save soonafter, this time after a Jessica Gill goal shot.
A minute later and Dublin found the net after a Kearney free was worked through Katie Murphy, before Hannon finished to the net, and now Dublin led for the first time.
Amber McCloskey had a chance to further extend the lead, but fired wide, before Gill cut the gap to the minimum.
Scoring efforts from Doireann Egan and Siobhan Bernie were dealt with by Kerry goalkeeper Aoife Looney, before Kadie Martin pulled off a 24th minute save from an Amy Curtin goal shot.
However, the sides were level a minute later after Kerry free-taker Julie Curtin pointed her first of five frees on the night.
Kerry forged ahead through an Eabha Ní Laighin effort, to take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, despite the best efforts of Hannon to get an equaliser late in the half.
Dublin won the throw-in on the restart, but as they pressed forward the Kerry defence stood firm.
Julia Curtin added a trio of unanswered pointed frees, before an Amy Curtin point from play opened a five-point gap in the 39th minute.
Kerry had the bulk of the chances, but the likes of captain Saoirse Laughlin; substitutes Aoife McGinley, Éabha Ní Mhaolagáin and Ellen Joyce worked tremendously hard for Dublin.
As the game entered the final quarter, Dublin were finding it hard to get past the 30 metre line.
Kadie Martin continued to work effectively also, while at the opposite end Dublin were unlucky not to get a goal.
Dublin were now winning more kickout’s and put together some good moves, including one which end with Aoife McGinley denied a goal after an Aoife Looney 56th minute save.
Dublin continued to work hard, but the scores just didn’t come their way, before Kevin Phelan’s final whistle signalled an end to the Metropolitans campaign.
As Dublin’s involvement comes to an end, a huge credit must go to all of the girls and management for all of their efforts this year, along with all the supporters for their backing of this group.
A special word to Aoife Robertson, Hazel Grady and Karrie Rudden who were injured ahead of the game. We wish them well with their recovery.
Kerry now advance to meet Sligo in the final.
Scorers for Kerry: Julia Curtin 0-5 (5f); Leah McMahon 1-2; Amy Curtin, Jessica Gill 0-2 each; Eabha Ní Laighin 0-1.
Scorers for Dublin: Nia Hannon 1-1 (1f) Ashling Nyhan 1-0; Kate O’Toole (1f), Lucy Ahern 0-1 each.
DUBLIN: Kadie Martin (Erin’s Isle); Saoirse Laughlin (Foxrock Cabinteely), Ashling Nyhan (St. Brigid’s), Iseult Costello (St. Brigid;s);Tess O’Loughlin (Kilmacud Crokes), Líadan Murphy (Kilmacud Crokes), Hannah McGinnis (Skerries Harps); Heather Bolger (Ballyboden St. Enda’s), Siobhan Bernie (Lucan Sarsfields); Kate O’Toole (St. Sylvester’s), Doireann Egan (Kilmacud Crokes), Elsa Kearney (O’Dwyer’s); Nia Hannon (Whitehall Colmcille), Katie Murphy (Westmanstown Gaels), Amber McCloskey (St. Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh). Subs used: Aoife McGinley (Naomh Barrog) for Bolger (41); Ellen Joyce (Fingallians) for McCloskey (41); Éabha Ní Mhaolagáin (St. Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh) for Egan (43); Lucy Ahern (Na Fianna) for Hannon (47); Clodagh Fox (St. Sylvester’s) for McGinnis (61). Rest of Panel: Siobhan Cassidy Fagan (Naomh Barróg), Eve Pennie (Fingallians), Suzie Linkiewicz (Fingallians), Katie Moran Tighe (Ballinteer St. John’s), Alexandra Smyth (Ballyboughal), Aoife Appleyard (St. Finian’s Swords), Aoife Robertson (Round Tower Clondalkin), Hazel Grady (Ballinteer St. John’s), Karrie Rudden (Ballyboden St. Enda’s).
KERRY: Aoife Looney; Kiera Fuery, Roisin Smith, Laura Reilly; Cara Gannon, Roisin Rahilly, Orlaith McKenna; Eabha Ni Laighin, Kellie Enright; Amy Curtin, Leah McMahon, Niamh Quinn; Jessica GIll, Julia Curtin, Katie Doe. Subs used: Clara Daly for Doe (43); Tiarna Murphy for J Curtin (61); Grainne Kennedy for A Curtin (62).
REFEREE: Kevin Phelan (Laois)
Image credit Maurice Grehan for Dublin LGFA