3 days ago
Amy O'Sullivan inspires Kerry to opening round win over lacklustre Carlow in Intermediate Camogie championship
All Ireland ICC Rd 1: Kerry 2-18 Carlow 0-3
Amy O'Sullivan's 2-3 return helped the Kingdom to a comprehensive victory over Carlow in the opening round of the All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie championship at Austin Park.
When the sides met in the league, it took added time point from Emma Conway to see Kerry win by the minimum margin so a close contest was expected but it never materialised.
Kerry laid the foundations in the first half, dominating the opening exchanges, playing against the stiff breeze.
After the sides exchanged scores in the opening two minutes, Kerry soon took control with star woman O'Sullivan leading the charge.
O'Sullivan pointed in the fourth minute to regain the lead, and had a goal chance three minutes later that was saved by Catherine Kavanagh in the Carlow net, before Kathryn Ryan stuck the rebound over the bar.
More brilliance from O'Sullivan had Kerry ahead 0-5 to 0-1, before Kate Lynch made it a five point lead in the 12th minute.
Things got even better for the hosts when O'Sullivan waved the first green flag, right as the opening quarter concluded, for a 1-6 to 0-1 lead.
One way traffic continued with Lynch grabbing her second point, before a sweeping move saw Kerry net their second goal. Shannon Collins darted down the left channel, passed to the supporting Patrice Diggin who struck for goal, the effort saved by Kavanagh but in the follow up O'Sullivan turned over possession, flicking the sliotar around the Carlow keeper before finding the net.
Carlow had to wait 22 minutes for their second score of the contest, Eleanor Treacy added to her earlier 45, with a free from play.
But Kerry were the happier of the two sides going in at the interval, leading 2-8 to 0-2.
Whatever was said at the break certainly inspired Carlow from the offset in the second half, but for all their efforts, they failed to add to the scoreboard.
Straight from the whistle, Aimie Nolan ran through the middle and had an effort at goal turned out for a 45 by Aoife Fitzgerald in the Kerry net.
Treacy dropped the 45 short and as Fitzgerald batted it away, Carlow caused a goalmouth scramble with Eilbhe Lawler firing at goal and Fitzgerald making a stunning save to deny.
For all their efforts in the opening ten minutes, Carlow left without a score.
By the end of the third quarter Kerry moved ahead 2-10 to 0-2, as Diggin added a quickfire double. The final quarter all belonged to Kerry. Diggin, Amy McCarthy, Lynch and Emma Conway all tallied points, to increase the lead 2-16 to 0-2.
Treacy got Carlow on the board in the 54th minute with a well taken free, before Lynch and Diggin struck late scores to complete the rout and secure Kerry's opening win of the All Ireland Intermediate series.
The Kingdom travel to Down in two weeks time.
Scorers for Kerry: A O'Sullivan (2-3), P Diggin (0-6, 3fs), K Lynch (0-4), R O'Connor, S Collins, K Ryan, A McCarthy and E Conway (0-1 each).
Scorers for Carlow: E Treacy (0-3, 2fs, 1'45).
KERRY: A Fitzgerald; M Costello, S Murphy, R McCarthy; R Quinn, N Leen, A Behan; P Diggin, R O'Connor; E O'Donoghue, K Lynch, A Leen; S Ryan, A O'Sullivan, K Ryan.
Subs: A McCarthy for S Collins (42), E Conway for K Ryan (50), A O'Connor for R Quinn (56), T Burke for R McCarthy (56), C O'Sullivan for P Diggin (56)
CARLOW: C Kavanagh; G Doyle, R Breen, N Canavan; K Doyle, C Coady, M O'Shea; E Treacy, A Nolan; A Murphy, C Jordan; H Wall, E Sinnott, E Lawler.
Subs: S Sweeney for A Murphy (42), N Minchin for R Breen (47), O Lawler for K Doyle (55).
Referee: M Ryan (Tipperary).
