TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Senior Quarter-Final – Kerry 2-14 Mayo 2-13

Kerry defeated Mayo by 2-14 to 2-13 in the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Senior Quarter-Final on Saturday August 24th at Birr.

Kerry 2-14 Mayo 2-13

Report from the RTE GAA web site

Kerry are through to the semi-finals after a dramatic win over Mayo William O’Sullivan’s Kerry edged past Mayo, 2-14 to 2-13, in a gripping TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Senior Football Championship quarter-final this afternoon. The Kingdom, beaten finalists last year, needed three late points to earn a come-from-behind victory against a Mayo side inspired by Cora Staunton. The ace forward scored 1-09 for Mayo, a tally matched by Kerry’s Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh, in a memorable tie at St Brendan’s Park, Birr.

With less than ten minutes remaining, 2-1 pre-match outsiders Mayo were on course for victory as they led by 2-13 to 2-11. But late scores from player of the match Ní Mhuircheartaigh, impressive sub Margaret Fitzgerald and Louise Galvin snatched a sensational win for the Munster champions. Mayo will look back on this tie with some regret as they spurned a host of goal chances. Staunton netted a wonderful goal just before half-time but she also rattled the crossbar in the opening half.

Earlier, Aileen Gilroy forced a brilliant save from Kerry goalkeeper Edel Murphy, who also denied Lisa Cafferky late on. Deirdre Doherty, who netted for Mayo in the second half, had other chances to raise green flags but she blazed over in the 13th minute with a goal for the taking. Doherty fired wide with 12 minutes remaining but she made amends two minutes later with a strike that put the Connacht ladies a point up, 2-12 to 2-11. It was a lead they would extend to two points but Kerry, who were without a competitive game for six weeks, dug deep to make it through to the last four. O’Muircheartaigh was Kerry’s class act and her 24th-minute goal was brilliantly taken.

At half-time, Mayo led by 1-09 to 1-08 but this was a game that swung one way and then another, with the sides level on six occasions. Patrice Dennehy and Ní Mhuircheartaigh had other goal chances for Kerry in an open game. Staunton had a battle royale with Kerry full-back Aislinn Desmond but the introduction of Fitzgerald from the bench was a crucial switch by O’Sullivan. Fitzgerald kicked the equalising point three minutes from time and Scartaglin player also did brilliantly to keep in Bernie Breen’s long range effort before transferring a wonderful pass for Galvin’s 43rd minute goal.

Scorers for Mayo: C Staunton 1-9 (0-5f), D Doherty 1-1, C Egan, A Gilroy & S Rowe 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kerry: L Ní Mhuircheartaigh 1-9 (0-6f), L Galvin 1-1, S Houlihan 0-2, P Dennehy & M Fitzgerald 0-1 each.

Kerry: E Murphy; C Lynch, A Desmond, A Lyons; B Lane, C Kelly, D Hallissey; E Sherwood, B Breen; S Houlihan, D Corridan, S Joy; P Dennehy, L Galvin, L Ní Mhuircheartaigh.

Subs: A Brosnan for Hallissey (20), M Fitzgerald for Joy (40), M O’Connell for Dennehy (50).

Mayo: Y Byrne; A Bell, N Tierney, S Tierney; C Connelly, M Carter, C Sullivan; C Egan, C McManamon; A Gilroy, C Staunton, F McHale; S Rowe, D Doherty, L Cafferky.

Sub: N Kelly for Cafferky (56).

Referee: K Delahunty (Tipperary)

Match Preview

TG4 All-Ireland Ladies SFC quarter-final preview

Compiled by Jackie Cahill

Kerry v Mayo – St Brendan’s Park, Birr – 12.30pm.

The bookies are predicting a comfortable Kerry victory but this one will be close. It’s six weeks since Kerry, beaten All-Ireland finalists last year, shocked Cork in the Munster final. Mayo lost the Connacht final to an impressive Galway side but they blitzed Westmeath last weekend, with Cora Staunton bagging 4-8 in a one-sided qualifier.

It’s difficult to find a line of form this summer and while it might be overly simplistic to suggest that if Kerry stop Staunton, they’ll win the game, that’s not too far from the truth. Championship intensity in the legs could be vital and Mayo have the physicality and attacking armoury to upset Kerry. The Kingdom won’t be lacking for hunger as they look to get back to an All-Ireland final and they beat Mayo by ten points at this stage two years ago.

Betting: Kerry 4/9 Draw 9/1 Mayo 2/1

Verdict: Kerry