Kerry are the 2022 Division 2 Lidl Ladies National Football League winners, after a 1-12 to 0-12 win over Armagh in Croke Park.

Danielle O’Leary was the hero on the day for the Kingdom, as her 1-2 off the bench banished the demons of last year, as Kerry are promoted to Division 1.

Despite 0-6 from Aimee Mackin, Armagh will remain in the Division next year, but do have the ability to challenge for a title next season.

The Kingdom started with two quick fire points in the opening two minutes, to pull out an early lead with Niamh Ní Chonchuir and Aishling O’Connell both raising the white flag. 

Armagh responded with their first major chance, Eve Lavery a late substitute, pointing from close range after four minutes, before they started to get the attacks off with Caroline Marley and Blaithin Mackin kicking scores, to put them one point ahead before the 10 minute mark.

A couple of dropped short kicks at goal was all Kerry could manage after their second point, a great chance saw Erica McGlynn in front of goal but her shot rebounded off the crossbar. Armagh were not having those issues, Aimee Mackin with a close range free to make it 0-4 to 0-2 after 13 minutes.

Despite McGlynn scoring a point after the 14 minute mark, Armagh remained ahead by two before the water break as Mackin kicked another free, despite Ní Chonchuir having a goal chance in between.

Two quick points after the water break by Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh, had Kerry back on level terms but the forward would be sent to the sin bin a minute later, picking up a yellow card for a high tackle.

Armagh took full advantage of the extra player kicking three quick scores in succession, taking the lead once more now ahead by three. McGlynn kicked her second point a minute before the hooter would sound, to cut the deficit at half time to just two points 

Mackin pushed Armagh four ahead seven minutes into the second half, kicking her third free of the afternoon. O’Leary kicked the next Kerry score minutes after coming off the bench.

But again Mackin cancelled the score out this time from play, as she was causing issues in the Kerry defence, as Armagh went back ahead by three points. She would make it a four point game with another from play after the 42 minute mark.

With Kerry facing a tough attack at one end of the Croke Park turf, at the other O’Leary found space to attack the Armagh defence and hit a low shot past Anna Carr to raise the green flag, making it a one point game after 44 minutes, 1-7 to 0-11.

Kerry looked to have found a purple patch after the goal, but another dropped ball inside saw them lose possession, Armagh took advantage attacking into the David end before Aoife Mc Coy pointed, to make it two points before the water break.

In similar fashion to the opening half, Ní Mhuircheartaigh got on the board with her third point of the afternoon, landing a free from close range, to again make it a one point game. Cait Lynch levelled the tie after 53 minutes, an unlikely scorer but a crucial one for the Kingdom.

O'Leary was a crucial impact sub for Kerry as she kicked them in front after 54 minutes, despite Armagh attacking they failed to draw level but a short range Ni Mhuircheartaigh free three minutes from time had them 1-11 to 0-12 ahead.

Just as she had done minutes earlier another late Ní Mhuircheartaigh free but Kerry three ahead, as O’Leary was again the player fouled in the build up as Armagh failed to contain her.