Kerry hoping to end 32-year wait

High-flying Kingdom on brink of first Division 1 title since 1991

Kerry will be looking to cap a brilliant league campaign when they take on Galway in the Division 1 final on Saturday.

The Kingdom have been sensational so far this season, putting established teams like Meath and Dublin to the sword en route to a thoroughly deserved first-place finish. Their form is remarkable considering the fact that they are just back in the top flight following a number of difficult years in Division 2.

Victory over Galway in Croke Park will see them secure an impressive backto-back following that league final win over Armagh 12 months ago, while also capturing the county’s first Division 1 title since 1991. There is another incentive to winning on Saturday: doing so will bring Kerry level with Cork as the most successful team in the competition’s 44year history. Cork currently have 12 Division 1 titles to their name while Kerry are sitting on 11.

Last year’s All-Ireland runners-up will have their work cut out against a strong Galway side who won five of their seven league games; the only teams they failed to beat were Meath, with whom they drew, and Kerry, who defeated the Tribeswomen 3-11 to 0-17 in the final round.

“Galway have been building nicely,” Kerry captain Síofra O’Shea told reporters this week. “They’ve got their players back from Kilkerrin/Clonberne as well. They’re a great team. They have players who are fast and fit and they like to run the ball. It will be a challenge for us but we’ll be well prepared.”

O’Shea (21) has been in terrific form for Declan Quill and Darragh Long’s side and she will no doubt be an important figure

DIVISION 1 FINAL

Kerry v Galway

Saturday at 5pm

Croke Park | Live on TG4 if Kerry are to prevail on the day. The AllStar quintet of Kayleigh Cronin, Aishling O’Connell, Cáit Lynch, Niamh Carmody and Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh – fresh from their All-Star trip to Texas - will also play key roles.

The Division 1 final, which will throw in at 5pm, will be preceded by the Division 2 decider between Armagh and Laois, with this game fixed for 3pm. Both matches will be shown live on TG4.