It’s a funny old time to be living. With an incredibly condensed calendar in the GAA, claims about who has the right to be in a championship and not get knocked out in May, and so many other things, you’d forget there are games on at all. And that’s why no matter which sport decides to be more controversial, women’s sports will always top the table.
Right now, the bell tolls for Kerry GAA and Kerry LGFA and the incredible centre near Currans after Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh dropped the nuclear bomb about her picture being used, yet she actually can’t seem to use the facilities. Fair point, then.
Tim Murphy, then Kerry GAA chairman, said when the building was completed, everyone could use the facility, which included women’s teams. Murphy left, chairmen and chairwomen came and went, and the Division Two ladies’ football champions were effectively left homeless, looking at Louise’s picture but unable to get in.
Some said the pitch got overrun and wasn’t fit for the ladies. Others said things changed, and the official line was that a new pitch would be built, and consultations have begun with Kerry LGFA on how to maximise the use of facilities.
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Kayleigh Cronin in the Killarney Advertiser backed up her team-mate and said it was incredibly frustrating and that she had the backing of the team, but truth be told, they just want to move on and preferably want to move into the Centre of Excellence ASAP.
For Cronin and her Kerry team-mates, all eyes will be on Saturday’s Munster final against Cork and what a match it will be in Fitzgerald Stadium at 12.15. For an intense rivalry, it is funny that the outside view is that Kerry are playing catch-up. Kerry beat Cork in an incredible under-14s All-Ireland final in Páirc Uí Rinn, starting an underage renaissance like no other.
At senior level, it’s commendable the job that management Declan Quill and Darragh Long have done with Kerry. Once renowned for being slightly leaky and leaving teams to score easily, it’s amazing their defence held the likes of Aimee Mackin to six points, with half of those being from frees. Centre back Cait Lynch has been revolutionary in her role in keeping the Kerry defence solid, having returned to the squad after her travels and working abroad.
As for the forward line, it’s not just Ní Mhuirecheartaigh defences must keep an eye out for. Underdog, literally from the TG4 show, Erika McGlynn has shown there are other top forwards in Fossa not called Clifford. Her incredible movement off the ball and her ability to draw defenders made it so tough for Tipperary during the semi-final in Páirc Uí Rinn, and she scored 2-3 on the day, having had the chance to score more were it not for Tipperary goalkeeper Lauren Fitzpatrick.
Niamh Ní Chonchuir also has been in excellent form. Kerry will need her running, generous assist play, and ability to kick from all angles to keep Cork on the back foot.
After the Tipperary game, Quill and Long wouldn’t have been judged if they felt relaxed. Instead, the duo will find more things to work on and more ways to exploit Cork, who are under Shane Ronayne for his first season.
In a way, Cork is a bit of an unknown quantity. After a terrible league campaign, they regrouped for a six-week intense training block where Mourneabbey stars returned to the fold. One of Mourneabbey’s best players during their All-Ireland runs, Laura Fitzgerald, is regularly known as a smiling assassin. Fitzgerald will try to regain her inspired form in the Munster final.
For the likes of Aine Terry O’ Sullivan, the key is consistency. Feed her good ball, allow her to drive through defences and shoot the lights out. Her two goals against Waterford forced Waterford to pay more attention to her, allowing Orla Finn and Doireann O’Sullivan the room to cause trouble for defenders.
Cork are now looking more fresh and agile, and no longer is it slow and laboured. The team look energetic and will bring a new energy to Fitzgerald Stadium that will overcome Kerry and continue their reign in Munster.
As for Kerry, they can take great inspiration from what Meath did last year and continue to do this year. Kerry will want to write their own history and become the new fairytale team. Maybe the fairytale team will get a chance to play at the Centre of Excellence.
We know that the curtain-raiser to the men’s Munster football final has it all, drama, storylines, and the possibility of a Hitchcock storyline twist in the end. It won’t be plain sailing, but just like their determination to get equality off the field, Kerry are happy to embrace the chaos if it means a positive result.
