Ciara Murphy is a key player for Kerry, who face Dublin in the National League on Saturday. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
By Cian O'Connell
Significant progress has been made by the Kerry ladies footballers in recent years.
Two All-Ireland final defeats undoubtedly hurt deeply, but Ciara Murphy remains optimistic.
Saturday's Division One League opener away to Dublin at Parnell Park will be an interesting encounter.
Kerry's development provides a source of hope. "We played Meath two years ago in the All Ireland final and I suppose no one expected us to be there," Murphy says.
"It was a shock to a lot of people around Kerry and around the country, but we've made huge progress since then and got back into the final last year against Dublin.
"We lost against Meath and we were all disappointed and all that, but it was great to get to a final and we got a taste for it.
"And we wanted more and be back there again come July August the following year and that’s what we did."
Valuable lessons have been learned during the journey according to Murphy. "Again we didn't get over the line against Dublin - that's two All Ireland's in the space of two years, so that is something new that wouldn’t have happened for Kerry ladies before that, I think 2012 was the last time Kerry were in an All Ireland final before the Meath All Ireland.
Ciara Murphy and Shane Ryan pictured at the launch of the Lidl Comórtas Peile Páidí Ó Sé 2024.
"So, it's huge improvement for Kerry ladies football and hopefully that will continue into the future."
On the eve of a new campaign, the fact that several teams believe that league and championship glory can be attained offers an added dimension. "There’s nothing between any of the counties," Murphy responds.
"Everyone has belief and are chomping at the bit and want to compete on All Ireland final day.
"That’s what you aim towards that what you train for - to perform at the highest standard and get to the biggest day of the year, and like I was saying there is not much between the sides.
"It’s very competitive, you can’t say that one team is going to win the All Ireland there are fine margins between the teams and sometimes it might come down to a bit of luck on the day or some call mightn’t go your way or something like that.
"It’s great in one sense that you have that competition and that you can’t call who is going to be there in the first weekend in August."
The upcoming test at the Donnycarney venue against Dublin will be embraced by Kerry. "Dublin are a tough opponent for the first round of the league especially after beating us in the All Ireland final," Murphy says.
"We are looking forward to it and it’s the first round, so teams probably aren’t going to be up to the standard of where they should be come championship, but you can only play what is in front of you and we are looking forward to it."
