In the Intermediate All-Ireland Women’s Football Championship Final, Kerry achieved a remarkable 3-14 to 0-11 victory against Galway, marking the end of a 31-year quest for victory. This triumph was particularly significant for Kerry, a team that faced disappointment losing in the finals in 2022 and 2023. The last time they ascended the Hogan Stand with the champion’s title was back in 1993.
Aoife Dillane’s goal just before the mid-game break was key in turning the match decisively in Kerry’s favour, helping the team enter the break with an impressive 1-8 to 0-3 lead. The game was observed by 30,040 spectators at Croke Park.
In the second half, Kerry’s successful streak continued with Hannah O’Donoghue and Emma Dinneen scoring additional goals that led to Kerry securing their 12th All-Ireland senior women’s title.
For Galway, this defeat felt all the more bitter as it was their second loss in an All-Ireland final in just a matter of seven days, following a downfall to Armagh. Despite this defeat, Galway still have hopes pinned to the upcoming camogie final.
The deciding game saw Kerry’s captain, Niamh Carmody, scoring the opening point in the second minute. Although Róisín Leonard of Galway responded, the heat of a tight match cooled off when Dinneen regained the score lead for Kerry by the fifth minute. From then on, Kerry maintained their lead until the game’s end.
A remarkable rough patch of nearly 20 minutes without scoring a point put Galway on the backfoot. Their struggle was reflected in three missed shots, blocked efforts, and missed scoring opportunities. Throughout this dry spell for Galway, Kerry’s Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh was in top form, notching five uninterrupted points to secure a lead of 0-8 to 0-2 by the 25th minute of the game.
In just a couple of minutes before the interval break, Leonard was able to get Galway back on track on the scoreboard. Though, a crucial turning point in the match occurred when Kerry’s quick-passing gameplay managed to carve a hole in the Tribe’s defence, culminating in Dillane’s shot gracefully arching over Dearbhla Gower and nestling underneath the crossbar.
Just as the half-time alarm rang out, Kerry’s players excitedly sprinted to the locker room while their Galway counterparts shambled off the field, appearing rather dazed. Prior to Dillane’s goal, momentum was already in favour of Kerry. However, the strike left an even more significant impact, dealing a major blow to Galway.
Daniel Moynihan’s squad commendably scored the first point of the second half, but it was answered immediately by Kerry’s midfielder, Mary O’Connell. Reigning champions of Munster, Kerry, quickly regained their dominating position in the game.
Adding more damage to Galway’s hopes, O’Donoghue’s strike in the 44th minute acted as the final nail in the coffin. Entering the pitch moments before, she dodged Kate Geraghty’s defence, received a clean pass from Ní Mhuircheartaigh before hard-hitting the ball into Gower’s near post.
Despite trailing behind, Dinneen exhibited some impressive skills towards the end of the game to bag Kerry’s third goal. However, by this point, it was clear that the contest was long decided. Post this score, the Kerry management decided to retire Ní Mhuircheartaigh from the game. This move was met with tremendous applause for the forward from Corca Dhuibhne, who first took to the field in 2008.
With this victory, Ní Mhuircheartaigh and Kerry finally accomplished their long-awaited dream of winning the All-Ireland Championship.
Kerry’s team was composed of Ciara Butler, alongside Eilís Lynch and Kayleigh Cronin in the defence. The midfield consisted of Aishling O’Connell, Ciara Murphy, and Deirdre Kearney. Meanwhile, Mary O’Connell and Anna Galvin managed to each score a point. The forward line included Niamh Carmody, Síofra O’Shea, Niamh Ní Chonchúir, Danielle O’Leary, Emma Dineen and Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh. Substitutes who competed in the match included Hannah O’Donoghue, Lorraine Scanlon, Katie Brosnan, Cáit Lynch and Kate O’Sullivan.
Galway’s team had Dearbhla Gower, Maryanne Jordan, Sarah Lynch and Kate Geraghty. The midfield players were Charlotte Cooney, Nicola Ward and Aoife Ní Cheallaigh. Forward players Mairéad Glynn and Ailbhe Davoren were accompanied by Niamh Divilly, Louise Ward, Olivia Divilly, Emma Reaney, Leanne Coen and Róisín Leonard. The substitutes for Galway included Andrea Trill, Eimíle Gavin, Marta Banek, Shauna Hynes and Ailish Morrissey.
Jonathan Murphy from Carlow was the referee for the match.