Second half goal burst carries Kerry into maiden All-Ireland intermediate camogie decider
A two-goal burst early in the second half was enough for Kerry to see off a close Down challenge and book their place in a maiden All-Ireland intermediate camogie final.
Down, champions of five years ago, had actually lost to Kerry in the group stage but looked far more composed and assured in the early stages, with sharpshooting Paula O'Hagan helping them into a 0-5 to 0-2 lead. Joint captains Jackie Horgan and Patrice Diggin got on the mark for Kerry.
The Kingdom were struggling with Down's pace and power, especially in midfield, but caught a real stroke of luck as a sun-blinded Down keeper was unsighted and accidentally deflected a high ball into her own net from a May O'Sullivan point attempt.
That gave Kerry something of a lifeline and they gradually began to grow into the game, but with O'Hagan peerless from dead balls, Down were full value for their 0-9 to 1-5 half-time lead.
The sides exchanged two points each in a lively start to the second half, but then a fantastic burst by Anne Marie Leen ended up in a penalty which was expertly dispatched to the net by Patrice Diggin.
Straight from the puck-out, Jackie Horgan latched onto the sliotar and cut in along the end-line before finishing from close range to put Kerry ahead - 3-7 to 0-11.
Down kept battling away, with O'Hagan, Beth Fitzpatrick, and Aime McAleenan leading the charge, and they were unlucky when Kerry 'keeper Aoife Fitzgerald denied Tara Monan from close range.
Kerry were always able to keep their noses in front to qualify for their first Intermediate Final - against Offaly - in Croke Park on August 10.
Scorers for Kerry: P Diggin (1-7, 1-0 pen, 3f), J. Horgan (1-3 ), A. O'Sullivan (1-0), K. Lynch (0-1), C. Spillane (0-1).
Scorers for Down: P O'Hagan (0-9, 5f, 2'45), A. McAleenan (0-3), B. Fitzpatrick (0-1), D. McGee (0-1), N. McGrath (0-1), S.L. Graffin (0-1).
Kerry: A. Fitzgerald, M. Costello, S. Murphy, R. McCarthy, R Quinn, N. Leen, A. Behan, P. Diggin, R. O'Connor, A O'Sullivan , K. Lynch, A.M. Leen, S. Collins, J. Horgan, C. Spillane. Subs E. O'Donoghue (for K. Lynch, 42), A. O'Connor (for R. Quinn, 47), E. Conway (for S. Collins, 49).
Down: C. Fitzpatrick, A. McDowell, D. Coleman, C. McGilligan, O. McCusker, B. Fitzpatrick, B. Savage, D. Savage, P. O'Hagan, S. Sands, S.L. Raffin, D. Magee, S. McGrath, N. McGrath, A. McAleenan. Subs T. Monan (for S. McGrath, 38), G. Cunningham (for N McGrath, 53).
Referee: P. Murphy (Carlow)
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