Dublin 2-14 Kerry 3-8: A late Fiona Corcoran goal steered Dublin into a second successive women's final with a thrilling victory over Kerry at O'Moore Park on Saturday.
Dublin, who have never won the Brendan Martin Cup, were beaten by Mayo in last year's final when they conceded a last-gasp goal. However, they now have the opportunity to avenge that nightmare after this well deserved victory. It was the second time in as many years Dublin had beaten Kerry at this stage.
The sides were level with just over three minutes remaining when Corcoran burst through from midfield and, dribbling the ball on the ground, shot to the bottom corner of the Kerry net.
Dublin led 0-11 to 2-1 at the break but they had to show tremendous character on three separate occasions to battle back after their defence was exposed by Kerry corner forward Kacey O'Driscoll who netted a hat-trick of goals. On each of the three occasions the Dublin full-back line was caught napping and the goals put Kerry in front.
Dublin led 0-2 to 0-1 in the 11th minute when a sublime through-ball by Sarah O'Connor put O'Driscoll through on goal and she capitalised on the hesitancy of goalkeeper Cliodhna O'Connor to slot home. However, points by Mary Nevin (two), Ashling McCormack and Angie McNally put Dublin back in front after 21 minutes, 0-6 to 1-1.
But yet again all of their hard work appeared to be in vain as another lapse in their defence saw O'Driscoll put through in almost identical circumstances, but this time she slid the ball low under the advancing O'Connor. Once more Dublin had to dig deep and McCormack drew them back level before Elaine Kelly put them in front after 24 minutes. They ended the half strongly with Nevin scoring three points, two from frees, to give them a four-point half-time advantage.
Kerry rallied on the resumption and scored 1-3 inside eight minutes to take the lead again but a Bernie Finlay goal brought Dublin back into it. The sides traded scores from there on before Corcoran's late goal killed off the Kerry challenge.
DUBLIN: C O'Connor; S Farrelly, N Comyn, M Kavanagh; N McEvoy, L Keegan, G Fay; M Farrell, F Corcoran (1-0); E Kelly (0-2), B Finlay (1-0) L Davey (0-1); A McCormack (0-3), A McNally (0-2), M Nevin (0-6, three frees). Subs: L Kelly for E Kelly (51 mins), N Hurley for Fay (53), K Hopkins for Farrell (58), O Colreavy for McCormack (60 mins).
KERRY: A O'Donoghue; G O'Malley, G Ní Fhlatharta, J Murane; K Gleeson, E O'Connell; R Ní Chinneide; C Kelly, J Murphy; S Delaney, S O'Connor, P Dennehy (0-1); N Fealey (0-1), G O'Shea (0-3, one free), K O'Driscoll (3-1). Subs: K Kenneally (0-1) for O'Malley (26 mins), D Corridon (0-1) for Delaney (ht).
Referee: E O'Hare (Down).
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