Danielle O'Leary was named Player of the Match as Kerry defeated Armagh in the Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 2 final at Croke Park on Sunday.
Incredibly, O'Leary received the honour despite only joining the action as a substitute. The Rathmore forward entered the game eight minutes into the second half with Kerry trailing by three points.
It looked as though the game was slipping away from Kerry with just over 15 minutes to play when Aimee Mackin extended Armagh's lead to four points.
Moments later, O'Leary made a key intervention when she scored the game's only goal. The score bought Kerry to within a point. They eventually won 1-12 to 0-12, with O'Leary scoring 1-2.
Danielle O'Leary goal for Kerry vs Armagh
45 nóim #KERvARM
@kerryladiesfoot 1-07@ArmaghLGFA 0–11Cúl faighte ag Danielle O'Leary 🤩🥳
A much needed goal for Kerry 😍
@LadiesFootball
#SeriousSupport #GAABEOBEO AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/Y77ZdyurGk
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) April 10, 2022
It was third time lucky for Kerry in the Division 2 final. They lost the 2019 decider to Waterford and last year's final to eventual All-Ireland champions Meath.
"Absolutely brilliant. There's actually no words to describe it. It's been a long time coming," O'Leary told TG4.
"There is an absolutely brilliant starting 15 out there today. They really showed from Ciaran Butler up to Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh - every single one of them were absolutely unbelievable.
"I'd say ye saw it at the end of the game, it just meant the world to everyone. It's been our aim for the last three years. I know we had a load of excuses with Covid.
"To be fair to the girls, the last three months of training have been absolutely outstanding. That's credit to our strength and conditioning trainer, and Darragh and Declan, all the management, the extended panel."
38 nóim #KERvARM
@kerryladiesfoot 0–07@ArmaghLGFA 0–09Scór den scoth ó Dannielle O'Leary 🥳
Dannielle O'Leary makes an immediate impact!
@LadiesFootball
#SeriousSupport #GAABEOBEO AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/e6BqxwV3uX
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) April 10, 2022
Featured image: 10 April 2022; Danielle O'Leary of Kerry celebrates with teammate Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh, left, after scoring their side's first goal during the Lidl Ladies Football National League Division 2 Final between Armagh and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
See Also: Galway Stun Cork With Comeback In Camogie League Final
