Kerry clinched a home quarter-final as they produced a strong second half performance to prevail by 16 points over a stern Cavan side, who now have relegation to battle.

A win is a win for Kerry, their first real comprehensive result of the championship, books their status a home side in the draw, made to work in the opening half, they may be concerned about conceding 2-5 to Cavan but will be happy with the result.

Danielle O'Leary starred in the tie, as did the likes of Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh and Siofra O'SHea, Kerry shuffled their deck and gave some fringe players a game, while their bench notably the addition of Rachel Dwyer also brought scores.

Kerry started brightly by punishing Cavan’s ill discipline, Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh converting two frees for an early lead, Ellyanna Madden put Cavan on the board by the fourth minute and Emma Halton had the score 0-3 to 0-2, after Siofra O’Shea kicked Kerry’s third score.

Danielle O’Leary made it a two point game, but Cavan hit back well, Geraldine Sheridan ran at the Kerry defence and carved a way through before hitting low to the left hand bottom corner to score, Aisling Sheridan who provided the pass for the goal, pointed to make it 1-3 to 0-4.

At the end of the first quarter Kerry hit back and from here really took control, Siofra O’Shea struck for goal but Cavan keeper Roisin O’Reilly saved well, the ball fell to Ciara Murphy, the corner back struck home and Kerry were a point ahead.

Ni Mhuircheartaigh, Louise Galvin, Niamh Carmody and Anna Galvin hit points before Cavan through Gerladine Sheridan found a reply, the scoreboard however reading 1-8 to 1-4 in favour of the home side, Amy Harrington and Danielle O’Leary wrapped up the half as Kerry went in 1-10 to 1-4 ahead at the interval.

Aisling Gilsenan kicked the opening score of the second half, but Kerry really took the game and cruised to a finish in the half, Ni Mhuircheartaigh got Kerry on the board after 35 minutes, they had to wait for a second score, eight minutes later O’Leary kicked her third point of the contest, before Ni Mhuircheartaigh and Caoimhe Evans added scores, Kerry’s lead moved to nine points 1-14 to 1-05.

O’Leary and Evans hit further points, before substitute Fiadhna Tagney, was quick to spot Siofra O’Shea in space, taking a quick free she played a super ball into the Kerry capitan, her finish just as exquisite as the pass, the game looking out a sight with ten minutes left as Kerry were ahead 2-16 to 1-5.

Kerry’s six forwards and two midfielders all registered scores, while Rachel Dwyer came off the bench and kicked three points in the final ten minutes, O’Shea kicked her second point and despite Geraldine Smith waving the green flag late on, Erica McGlynn pointed in added time for a 16 point result.