Kerry have promotion firmly in their sights

National League: Division 2 Final

Kerry v Armagh

Sunday at 2pm (Live on TG4)

Croke Park

Their male counterparts got the job done last weekend, now the Kerry ladies are gunning for National League glory on the hallowed turf of Croke Park.

The Kingdom face Armagh in the Division 2 final on Sunday and victory will mean more than just a trophy. If they can find a way to defeat their Ulster counterparts, they will earn a place in Division 1 for 2023.

Returning to the big league has been a major goal of Kerry’s since they lost their D1 status in 2018. They have come mightily close, reaching the Division 2 final in 2019 and 2021 (the 2020 competition was not completed) before coming up short on both occasions.

It’s fitting that Kerry and Armagh should contest this final as both sides boasted a perfect record in their respective pools before successfully navigating the semi-final phase of the competition.

Armagh’s last four result was particularly eye-catching: they demolished Laois on a staggering scoreline of 7-18 to 1-9. Star player Aimee Mackin registered 1-7 in that senior versus intermediate clash and Kerry will need to keep a close eye on the 2020 Player of the Year if they are to prevail.

Kerry, meanwhile, saw off the challenge of Monaghan in their semi-final with three points to spare, thanks in no small part to a wonderful lobbed goal from the boot of Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh. The experienced sharpshooter kicked 1-9 in total, with eight of those points coming from frees.

Armagh and Kerry last met in the league in 2020 when The Kingdom came out the right side of a two-point game in Tralee. Joint managers Declan Quill and Darragh Long will be delighted with a repeat of that result on Sunday.

This match will form part of a double-header with the Division 1 final between Donegal and Meath. Both games will be shown live on TG4.