a day ago
Siofra O'Shea hat-trick helps champions Kerry overpower gutsy Kildare
TG4 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final: Kerry 3-11 Kildare 0-12
The 2024 All-Ireland Champions Kerry are through to their fourth consecutive semi-final but they had to withstand a gutsy challenge from the 2023 All-Ireland Intermediate champions Kildare at the Austin Stack park in this TG4 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final.
Kildare gave the Kingdom a proper gut check in the opening quarter as they had the aid of a strong wind. The visitors served notice that they meant business as they raced 0-4 to 0-0 in front inside the opening eight minutes. Lisa Shaw and Lauren Murtagh were driving forward and had points from Alannah Prizeman (free), Aoife Rattigan, Gillian Wheeler and Prizeman with another free after Ciara Moran was fouled.
Emma Costello of Kerry receives the Player of the Match Award from Robbie Smyth, LGFA Vice-President, after the 2025 TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship Quarter-Final between Kerry and Kildare at Austin Stack Park in Tralee, Kerry. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
But Kerry with Cait Lynch, Aoife Dillane and Emma Sherwood playing well, finally got their passing game going. The Kingdom struck for their opening goal in the 10th minute when Niamh Carmody and Cait Lynch sent Emma Costello through. Her shot was parried by keeper Mary Hulgraine but Siofra O'Shea finished to the net.
With Danielle O'Leary and Caoimhe Evans linking up well, Kerry began to dominate possession but some wayward shooting against the wind did not help their scoring returns. Danielle O'Leary then levelled the contest with a trademark point, but Ciara Wheeler had Kildare back in front a minute later with a fine effort from play.
Points from Rachel Dwyer and O'Leary saw Kerry lead for the first time but Alannah Prizeman kicked the equaliser in the 23rd minute.
Kerry finished the half the stronger with some superb movement and accurate kick passing as Danielle O'Leary made it 1-4 to 0-6. Then in the 25th minute Kerry were awarded a penalty when Siofra O'Shea was fouled and O'Shea sent the keeper the wrong way. Prizeman responded with a fine effort from play but Kerry, thanks to an Anna Galvin point, retired 2-5 to 0-7 in front at the interval.
Kildare began the second half as if they were going to wipe out the deficit in double quick time when Prizeman beat the Kerry keeper, but Cait Lynch took it off the line. Alannah Prizeman was proving a handful for the Kerry fullback line but she was getting very little help.
Kerry, who ended up with eight different scorers, were much more potent in attack. Points followed from O'Leary, Carmody and O'Shea before the home side ended the game as a contest in the 40th minute when Anna Galvin set up Siofra O'Shea to complete her hat-trick.
It was now 3-8 to 0-8 and though Prizeman added three frees, Kerry rounded off a 10-point win with points from Katie Brosnan, O'Shea, Niamh Ni Choncúir and Caoimhe Evans.
They now await the winners of Meath or Tipperary in the semis in two weeks' time.
Scorers for Kerry: S O'Shea ( 3-2, 1-0 pen, 1f), D O'Leary ( 0-4), A Galvin, N Carmody, N Ni Chonchúir, C Evans, R Dwyer, and K Brosnan ( 0-1 each).
Kildare: A Prizeman (0-7, 5fs), C Wheeler, A Rattigan, G Wheeler and R Byrne (0-1 each)
KERRY: M.E. Bolger; E Lynch, D Kearney, C Lynch (capt.); A O'Connell, E Costello, A Dillane; M O'Connell, A Galvin; N Carmody, N Ní Chonchúir, C Evans; R Dwyer, S O'Shea, D O'Leary.
Subs: K Brosnan for R Dwyer (46), R Rahilly for a Galvin (46), F O'Donoghue for D Kearney (51), K O'Connor for E Lynch (56), N Quinn for N Carmody (58)
KILDARE: M Hulgraine; R Sargent, L Lenehan, M Doherty; L Shaw, L Murtagh, M Aspel; L Reilly, C Moran; C Wheeler, A Rattigan, L Curran; G Wheeler, A Prizeman, R Byrne.
Subs: M Ryan for C Moran (37), A Mahon for L Murtagh (41), E Dowling for A Rattigan (49), S Galvin for G Wheeler (51), C Sullivan for L Shaw (54)
Referee: K Phelan ( Laois)
