Kerry were crowned TG4 Munster SFC for the third year in succession after a hard-fought one-point victory over a spirited Waterford at Kilmallock GAA grounds.
Kerry had to be extremely thankful to the brilliance of goalkeeper Mary Ellen Bolger who saved from point-blank range at the death to deny Laura Cusack what surely would have been the winning goal.
A hugely entertaining first half saw the sides share three goals in a whirlwind opening 30 minutes.
Niamh Carmody and Karen McGrath shared early scores before the first goal of the game arrived in the third minute after a lightning Kerry move involving Carmody and Niamh Ní Chonchuir saw Leah McMahon palm to the back of the Waterford net.
Kelly Ann Hogan replied with a free but then in the eighth minute came Waterford's opening goal when Katie Murray finished to the back of the net after a brilliant run and pass from Aine O’Neill.
We didn’t have to wait long for Kerry’s second goal, and it came in the10th minute after a brilliant move involving Anna Galvin and Mary O’Connell who passed across goal and Emma Costello raced in to volley past Katelyn Gardner.
Hogan replied with a point for Waterford but Bolger had to save from Clare Walsh. Frees from Hogan and a Brid McMaugh special from down town pushed Waterford into a 1-06 to 2-01 lead.
Siofra O’Shea got three on the bounce for the winners (two frees), Hogan replied from a free after a Kerry breach, and with Kerry’s Jadyn Lucey (free) and Lauren McGregor trading scores, the sides went in level at half-time, 2-05 to 1-08.
Bolger was forced into a superb block from Emma Murray three minutes into the second half before Murray and O’Shea (free) traded scores. McGregor had a chance of a goal but shot straight at Bolger, though Katie Murray did reply to push the Déise one ahead, 1-09 to 2-05.
O’Shea levelled matters with a free but Katie Murray raised another white flag for Waterford. Drama followed when Kerry’s Niamh Carmody was sent to the bin. Kerry's Roisin Rahilly scored a neat point with McMaugh replying straight afterwards.
Aishling O’Connell was denied a goal for a small square infringement, but Siofra O’Shea wasn’t to be denied when she slotted over to level the contest.
With both sides looking for a winner it was Kerry that came up trumps when substitute Danielle O’Leary slotted over, although the winners will be thankful to Bolger who produced that last-ditch wonder save.
As Munster champions Kerry now go into Group 2 of the All-Ireland series with Kildare and Tipperary while Waterford go into Group 1 and will face Armagh and Cork.
Kerry: M E Bolger; R Rahilly (0-01), D Kearney, E Lynch; A O’Connell, E Costello (1-00), A Dillane; A Galvin, M O’Connell; N Carmody (0-01), N Ní Chonchúir, C Evans; J Lucey, L McMahon (1-00), S O’Shea (0-05, 3f)
Subs: D O’Leary (0-01) for J Lucey (ht, 0-01f), E McGlynn for L McMahon (51)
Waterford: K Gardner; C Murray, L Mulcahy, R Browne; C Walsh, R Casey, K McGrath (0-01); E Murray (0-01), E Power; Á O’Neill, KA Hogan (0-05, 4f), K Murray (1-01); M Daly, B McMaugh (0-02), L McGregor (0-01)
Subs: C Fennell for M Daly (49), L Ní Harta for E Power (56), L Cusack for A O’Neill (60)
Referee: Conor McCarthy (Cork)
