Kerry survived a late fightback from Dublin, to record an opening win in their pursuit to return to Croke Park this summer for an All Ireland Final, Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh with a player of the match display.

The West Kerry Sharpshooter kicked 1-6 in the win for the Kingdom, with captain Siofra O’Shea netting a goal in the second half, as the Kingdom only registered four scorers, as Hannah O’Donoghue and Niamh Ni Chonchuir both notched points.

Carla Rowe and Hannah Tyrell were the main scoring threat for the Dubs, 0-3 and 0-5 for their tally respectively, they fall just short but it was a real championship battle they will learn and grow from in the coming weeks.

It was a real championship clash between these two old rivals right from the off, Dublin through Hannah Tyrrell looked to have the opening score but that dragged wide, however direct running from Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh, saw the Kerry forward fist over the opening score in the first minute.

Dublin found their reply through Kate Sullivan, their shooting a little wayward at times, their counterparts however notably Ni Mhuircheartaigh, were not having issues on the scoring front, a long range effort going into the net over Abby Shiels for the games opening goal in the third minute.

Another point from the Kerry forward made it 1-2 to 0-1, the Kingdom cruising, but Dublin immediately hit back, Caoimhe O’Connor made a great run at the Kerry defence, beating the tackle of Louise Galvin, she passed inside for Orlagh Nolan to gather and hit the net and leave a point between the sides after ten minutes.

Ni Mhuircheartaigh was putting on a show for the Kingdom, converting a free from distance to put them two ahead, she dropped another short at the end of the opening quarter that almost saw Siofra O’Sha notch a second goal for the Kingdom, but Shiels did well to save and in the follow up the Dubs had a free out.

Either side of Hannah Tyrrell converting a free to end a 20 minute wait for Dublin’s second point, the West Kerry native added her fourth and fifth points of the afternoon to put Kerry three points ahead, scoring all of her side's scores in a 22 minute spell.

Wides were starting to add up for the hosts, but Carla Rowe hit a monster score that looked to bring new life into her side, but they struggled to add a further score for the remainder of the half, Kerry through Hannah O’Donoghue made it a three point margin going into the break.

Kerry kickstarted the half with Niamh Ni Chonchuir putting four between the sides, but some ill discipline at the back saw Dublin awarded a penalty as Kerry could only foul to prevent Dublin creating a chance, Rowe stepped up and sent her effort to the bottom left corner where Ciara Butler dived to get a strong hand and push it away.

While the Dubs failed to get three, they would settle for Tyrrell converting a free to again leave three between them, Kerry once again however looked dangerous in attack, Ni Mhuircheartaigh turned provider to find Cait Lynch running in space, she spotted O’Shea running toward the Dublin goal and played the killer pass before the Kerry captain palmed home their second goal.

They continued to reach their ascendancy as Ni Mhuircheartaigh made it 2-8 to 1-4 with another killer free, Dublin stayed on their tails as Tyrrell and Rowe both added points, trying to ignite the spark in a comeback and drive them back into the tie, as they trailed by five going into the final quarter.

Dublin kept taking their scores and it was Rowe and Tyrrell who were leading by example, cutting Kerry’s lead down to just three points once again, the Kingdom would lose Emma Costello to a yellow card just before Tyrrell pointed a free.

Tyrrell kicked her fifth point to make it a nervy finish just two between the teams, Kayleigh Cronin was the next Kerry player to go to the sin-bin as she was carded for a harsh tackle, but the Kingdom held firm in an anxious wait for the hooter to sound, plenty of mileage put on from this frantic tie.