Malone entertained Kerry at Gibson Park on Saturday evening in the semi final of the Women’s All Ireland Shield. It’s been a cancellation hit competition so we didn’t have any real form but Malone were going into the game as favourites despite a poor All Ireland League campaign.

The home side eventually did the business but for most of the first half hour it was all Kerry as they battered the Malone line time and time again. Malone did defend valiantly with Fern Wilson and Jill Stevens working overtime and the home team finally cut loose with Lauren Maginnes, the class act on the field, busting loose down the middle to send Stevens clear for the opener, at 17:29 by my watch, just short of the half hour mark.