Dublin beat Kerry to reclaim All-Ireland crown

Hannah Tyrrell produced a game for the ages as she inspired Dublin to their first All-Ireland senior title in three years.

Tyrrell scored eight first-half points and set up two further scores as Kerry were outperformed in the decider for the second year in a row.

Watched by a 45,326 crowd in Croke Park, Dublin led 0-11 to 0-4 at half-time. Kerry twice made it a five-point game in the third quarter and Emma Costello was relentless in her quest to attack but the Blues’ hold of midfield was never relinquished. Dublin brought in Niamh Hetherton and her physical presence heaped more pressure on Kerry’s back-line.

Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh fashioned a palmed goal in the 55th minute thanks to tenacious work by substitute Amy Harrington along the endline. She followed it up with another free to cut the margin to four but the Brendan Martin Cup was Dublin’s.

Dublin were off the mark after 15 seconds through Tyrrell and again 30 seconds later as Tyrrell turned over a ball from a kick-out and Orlagh Nolan applied the finishing point.

Pressing hard on Kerry’s restarts, Dublin were ravenous and while Ní Mhuircheartaigh sent over a free she won herself the next two points came at the other end, both of them from the immense Tyrrell.

Dublin were rapid with their kick-outs and Kerry looked stuck on their heels. After Niamh Carmody arrowed over a point, Abby Shiels was quickly putting the ball into play, Lauren Magee drove forward and assisted her old midfield colleague Jennifer Dunne to score.

Danielle O’Leary, the best Kerry forward by far in the opening half, did well to win and lay off a ball for Ní Mhuircheartaigh in the 14th minute but the Kerry captain’s goal effort fizzed over the bar to bring The Kingdom to within a couple of