Strong finish sees Kerry clinch promotion and Division 2 title against Armagh

Danielle O'Leary nailed the super substitute role with an incredible Croke Park cameo to help clinch the Lidl National Football League Division 2 title for Kerry.

Trailing by two points at the second water break, and behind for much of the game, the Kingdom reeled off five points without reply in the final quarter to seal the win and secure promotion.

O'Leary scored 1-2 in total in the second-half having only come off the bench after 37 minutes while she also won two frees that Louise Ní Muircheartaigh converted and, late on, drew a foul that led to Armagh midfielder Niamh Marley being sin-binned.

It was a day to remember for the 19-year-old Rathmore star whose heroics helped Kerry to return to the top flight for the first time since 2018.

It was a case of third time lucky for the Munster side having previously lost the 2019 and 2021 Division 2 finals, either side of the cancelled 2020 campaign.

It was tough on Armagh, the 2020 All-Ireland semi-finalists and Ulster champions, who will remain in Division 2 for another season despite a spirited display and strong performances from Aimee Mackin and Catherine Marley.

A stiff wind increased the chill factor but the players produced a high quality, ultra intense game with consistent passages of real quality.

The Mackin sisters, Aimee and Blaithin, were to the fore initially and between them accounted for half of Armagh's first-half tally of 0-08.

Marley was terrific too and the number 10 got through a tonne of good work over the hour, popping up in her own full-back line on occasions before being substituted late on after a huge hit.

She also kicked an eighth minute point and was involved in setting up points for Eve Lavery and Aimee Mackin with her high work rate paying off in spades.