Karen Duddy at Croke Park
After two consecutive years of heartbreak for Kerry, losing out in two All-Ireland finals to Meath and Dublin, they sealed their victory as senior All-Ireland champions for the first time in 31 years.
In an emphatic win against Galway, the Kingdom put in the performance of a lifetime that was three years in the making. Captain Niamh Carmody lifted the Brendan Martin Cup to the cheers of a sea of green and gold. It was written in the stars for this Kerry side.
After the lows of the last two years, it was just phenomenal to get up those steps. It's going to be the greatest day of my life, I'd say forever! I can't put it into words what it meant to us," Carmody said after the game.
Galway’s Olivia Divilly posed an expected threat to Kerry, but their defence held strong throughout the game. Kerry took control early on and led 1-8 to 0-3 at the break, thanks to five points from Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh and a smashing goal from defender Aoife Dillane off her left foot.
#GALVKER 30 nóim @kerryladiesfoot 1:08 @GalwayLgfa 0:03
Cad é mar cúl díreach roimh leath-ama!😮
Huge moment as Aoife Dillane loops the ball into the net!
BEO/LIVETG4 AR @TG4TV 📺 @LadiesFootball #ProperFan pic.twitter.com/j7hvTFYbsb— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) August 4, 2024
Galway struggled with wides, while Kerry continued their dominance in the second half with scores from Mary O’Connell, Emma Dineen, and substitutes Hannah O’Donoghue and Lorraine Scanlon. Despite efforts from the Divilly sisters, Andrea Trill, and Charlotte Cooney, Galway couldn't overcome Kerry's solid defence, which included Player of the Match Kayleigh Cronin, and were left with few scoring opportunities.
"The display that the backs put in today was absolutely phenomenal. It shows when Kayleigh Cronin got Player of the Match, the tackles that she put in today - you'd go far and wide to see a better display of defending. I think that's what the performance was built on," Carmody added on her defenders.
Two brilliant goals from O’Donoghue and Emma Dineen sealed the victory for the Kingdom and led them up the Hogan steps, on the right side of the All-Ireland final at last.
#GALVKER
Árdaíonn captaen Chiarraí Niamh Carmoy an Corn Brendan Martin .🏆
BEO/LIVETG4 AR @TG4TV 📺 @LadiesFootball #ProperFan pic.twitter.com/jJipzbsFU1— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) August 4, 2024
When co-managers Declan Quill and Darragh Long’s term was up last year, and Kerry had lost another All-Ireland final, it felt it might be the end for this team. Carmody remembers how her team didn't throw in the towel as many would suspect.
The one thing that I remember from last year was when we were on the pitch after the final whistle went, Kayleigh Cronin went around to all of us and said “We’re going to go again”.
We knew that maybe we were going to lose one or two people, but I knew in my heart that a lot of us would be back. We knew we weren’t finished last year, and once we found out that Declan and Darragh were staying on, I don’t think anyone was going to step away.
When we show up at training, we’re just a phenomenal bunch of girls. The talent that’s in this group is just phenomenal. I knew the majority of us would stay on and give this another shot and I’m delighted we did."
