Kerry v Dublin was a nail-biting clash in Parnell Park which saw Divison One winner's Kerry hang on by the thinnest of threads to win their opening group game in the All-Ireland championship after seeing off a late surge by Dublin.
It was a game that promised entertainment, physicality and plenty of scores from start and that is exactly the type of game that we got.
Both teams started strong straight from the throw in, with a momentary tussle between the players before Dublin broke away winning the ball, they charged up the pitch, only to see an impressive play result in a wide attempt at a point from Hannah Tyrrell.
Kerry with plenty to prove after their disappointing Munster final display which saw them lose to Cork, were physical from the off, putting in tackles left, right and centre, dispossessing and forcing the Dublin players to overcarry three times in the opening few minutes of the game.
Kerry's immense pressure that they put on Dublin paid off and after only three minutes of play, their star forward Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh already had 1-2 to her name.
#PROPERFAN 3 nóim@dublinladiesg 0-01@kerryladiesfoot 1-01
B'fhéidir nach raibh cúl ar intinn aici ach tá ceann faighte aici!
GOAL!!!@LadiesFootball @GAA_BEO
BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/Rqtv1QsbMA— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) June 17, 2023
Dublin never the ones to roll over during a tough challenge replied instantly with a fantastic score of their own.
An amazing solo run forward by Caoimhe O'Connor, saw her break away from three Kerry defenders before laying it off to Orlagh Nolan. Nolan then smashed a goal past Ciara Butler whilst being tackled and surrounded heavily by the Kerry defence.
#PROPERFAN 5 nóim@dublinladiesg 1-01@kerryladiesfoot 1-02
Caoimhe O'Connor leis an sleaschéim den scoth
Orlagh Nolan finds the back of the net for Dublin 🏐🏐🏐@LadiesFootball @GAA_BEO
BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/QS58OfYf26— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) June 17, 2023
The two teams then traded scores for the rest of the half, with Kerry, managing to open a three-point lead at halftime, due to their explosive pace in the forwards which the Dublin Defenders struggle to deal with when Kerry broke on the counter.
Dublin trailed by 1-6 to 1-3 as the halftime whistle blew.
Kerry LGFA v Dublin LGFA - 2nd Half
The second half began the same way the first half ended, full of chaos, excitement and physicality. Dublin were awarded for a penalty in the opening five minutes of the second half.
The penalty was won by another impressive solo run by Caoimhe O'Connor straight at the heart of Kerry's defence. This time Kerry's discipline let them down and O'Connor was fouled just inside the box.
Much to Kerry's relief and Dublin's dismay, Carla Rowe's shot was saved by Ciara Butler.
However the ball wasn't dead yet, Dublin won the breaking ball from Butler's save and managed to win a free which was slotted over the post by Tyrell.
#PROPERFAN 35 nóim@dublinladiesg 1-04@kerryladiesfoot 1-07
Luas lasrach ó Áth Cliath!
Dublin come away from the chaos with a point@LadiesFootball @GAA_BEO
BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/aff95VGsUn— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) June 17, 2023
Kerry struggled to get forward in the second half, with Mick Bohan's side setting up more defensively. However when they did, they made sure to make it count. In the 36th minute of the game, Kerry worked a brilliant goal, almost imitating one-touch football to score their 30th goal of the season, to put them six points ahead of the TG4 Leinster champions.
#PROPERFAN 36 nóim@dublinladiesg 1-04 @kerryladiesfoot 2-07
Freagair láithreach ó Chiarraí!
Kerry score their 30th goal this season 😲@LadiesFootball @GAA_BEO
BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/TTmn3U6a8W— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) June 17, 2023
Dublin refusing to give up fought back, scoring four points without reply, to reduce the gap in the game to only two points. The girls in blue were relentless in the last 15 minutes, forcing Kerry players to put in last-ditch tackles, that resulted in two of their players being shown yellow cards for persistent tackling.
Emma Costello was sin-binned with 15 minutes to go. Whilst Kayleigh Cronin's tackle on Niamh Crowley with 8 minutes to go, saw her have to watch the rest of the game from the sideline.
#PROPERFAN 58 nóim@dublinladiesg 1-09 (12)@kerryladiesfoot 2-08 (14)
Cluiche an-fhisiciúil atá againn anseo
Neither team taking a step back...@LadiesFootball @GAA_BEO
BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/w8lr4pCLVZ— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) June 17, 2023
The game was a brilliant spectacle. It was a fantastic advertisement for Ladies' football. It was fast, physical and there was a high tempo throughout.
Speaking after the game Dublin manager, Mick Bohan was pleased with his team's performance despite the loss. He was impressed with his team because they left everything out on the pitch and couldn't of given more, which is all you can ask for.
"I thought it was a fantastic advertisement for the game. I thought both teams were as honest as they possibly could be, that's we're looking for. As we know it is a great history between these two counties.
So nothing spared. That's the way we like it"
Full-Time Score was Kerry 2-08 to Dublin 1-09.
Kerry Scorers: Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh 1-6(3f), Síofra O'Shea 1-0, Hannah O’Donoghue 0-1, Niamh Ní Chonchuir 0-1
Dublin Scorers: Hannah Tyrell 0-5(4f), Carla Rowe 0-3(1f), Orlagh Nolan 1-0, Kate O'Sullivan 0-1
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