Dublin 1-12  Kerry 0-9

How often is it said that there will only be a “bounce of a ball” between the sides.   In this case it was quite literally through.   Seven minutes into the second period Dublin held a one point advantage 0-8 to 0-7.    Evelyn Twomey pulled down a Dublin puck-out and headed for the Kerry goals, under severe pressure she released a shot that was never going to scale the cross-bar but the ball just fell outside the comfortable reach of the Kerry ‘keeper Alanna Maunsell.   The ball skidded off her stick and crept over the line for a major boost for Dublin.   In the next 8 minutes Dublin tacked on three more points to go 1-11 to 0-8 clear.

The significance of that goal cannot be understated as breeze-assisted Dublin could only add one more point as Kerry tried valiently to recover.   Although they only added one more point to the tally, the fact that they went in search of a goal from a majority of the possession was to Dublin’s advantage.   Had the scores been tighter – Kerry had ample chances including a penalty to handle to 2-3 points deficit.

That said Dublin were the better side with five players contributing to their tally compared to Kerry’s two.   Their defence was soundness personified with the likes of Róisín McLoughlin, Deirdre Johnstone and Ciara Buchanan all excelling at different stages.

Kerry’s Patrice Diggin is a super player and she accounted for 0-8 of her teams total.   Her first a free after 1 minute.   But Dublin’s Aoife Bugler matched her every step of the way for impact.    The full-forward levelled the game with a free in the 3 ^rd minute and her only failure from placed balls was from a 45 and that hit the upright!

She was a constant menace from play and frees and one could see her confidence growing with every touch of the ball.   It was far from a “one woman show”.   Róisín Drohan at midfield put in a great 60 minutes and her point in the 4 ^th minute gave Dublin the lead.     Evelyn Twomey has a great turn of pace and her first score after a great run split the posts at the Ennis Road end.   Back came Kerry time and again as on 5 occasions in the half the scoreline was on equal.   Patrice Diggin was the main threat and her point from play near the sideline as Jessica Fitzell and Diggin worked a good move was outstanding.

Dublin were very solid in defence and Aishling Spillane ably dealt with anything that got past Ciara Buchanan, Niamh Gleeson and Róisín McLoughlin.   Emma Barron, Deirdre Johnstone and Gráinne Free were also largely on top of matters with the result that only Jacqueline Horgan of the Kerry attack managed a point.   Dublin’s attack was always looking more likely to score with Aoife Dooley, Laoise Quinn and Emer Keenan always searching for an opening.

Aoife Bugler was conducting matters at the other end and a nice point in the 20 ^th minute brought the sides level on 0-5 apiece.   Aoife Bugler converted a 45 in the 25 ^th minute to give Dublin the lead but good pressure by the Dublin defence on Kerry’s Aoife Behan denied a possible goal chance a minute later.

Despite the breeze blowing in their faces, Kerry have made huge strides in a relatively short spell and they were not going to go down easily.   Within a minute of the restart Patrice Diggin’s free had levelled the game.   Dublin looked like they had more scoring potential and Evelyn Twomey was one of the providers who restored Dublin’s lead in the 33 ^rd minute.   Another Diggin score after a careless clearance by Dublin brought the sides together for the seventh and final time.  

After a well-struck Aoife Bugler free, Evelyn Twomey struck for the match-turning goal in the 37 ^th minute.   Given the closeness of the exchanges it was a huge score.   Kerry’s task mas made all the more difficult when the unerring Aoife Bugler nailed two frees.   Further damage was done when Aishling Spillane’s well placed puckout was caught by the roving Evelyn Twomey.   The minor showed excellent vision to pick out Róisín Baker who completed the move with Dublin’s best point of the game.

With defeat staring them in the face Kerry took on the challenge and began to win a greater share of possession with Niamh Leen, Sara Murphy, Aoife Behan and Ann Marie Leen leading the charge.   With the scoreline reading Dublin 1-11 to 0-9 Kerry were awarded a penalty in the 55 ^th minute after Jacqueline Horgan was brought down.   Patrice Diggin’s bullet was superbly stopped by Aishling Spillane with Gráinne Free making the clearance.      A goal would have been a massive lift for Kerry especially as there were 10 further minutes of play.   In that period Sinead Wylde showed her promise with a smashing score that sealed the day for Dublin.   Sinead Nolan and Nadine Murphy also played their part when introduced.

Dublin in Croke Park on All-Ireland final day for the first time since 2005. 

Dublin Scorers:  Aoife Bugler (0-7), Evelyn Twomey (1-2), Róisín Drohan (0-1), Róisín Baker (0-1), Sinead Wylde (0-1).

Kerry Scorers:  Patrice Diggin (0-8), Jacqueline Horgan (0-1)

Referee:  Philip McDonald (Cavan)