BLAITHÍN MACKIN starred off the bench as Armagh just about edged All-Ireland champions Kerry yesterday.
All-Star Aoife McCoy and sharpshooter Niamh Reel also shone as the holders struck an early-season blow in Tralee.
Mackin came on in the 33rd minute and hit 1-1 to help the Orchard to their late victory.
But the visitors still needed a late second-half surge to win — as they outscored the Kingdom by 3-6 to 0-6.
Mackin’s fellow sub Rebecca Cunningham also made a difference for the Ulster side with a goal — while keeper Anna Carr was in fine form too.
The Kingdom had the advantage of the wind in the first half. But Division 1 champs Armagh made a brighter start when Eimear McGeown pointed in the first minute.
Kerry were soon on level terms when Síofra O’Shea slotted over a free following a foul on captain Anna Galvin.
In a repeat of last year’s league decider, O’Shea put the Kingdom a point ahead in the fifth minute.
But Reel showed her class when she replied two minutes later for the visitors.
Reel then slotted over a free that she earned herself and Armagh went two to the good with the same player on target.
Rachel Dwyer got one back for the hosts after a fine run and assist by the marauding Aoife Dillane.
Eve Lavery put two points between the sides again in the 18th minute.
But Kerry dominated the rest of the first half from then on with O’Shea striking a brilliant goal in the 20th minute.
Jadyn Lucey followed up with a score of her own but Armagh were still dangerous.
Even so, Mary Ellen Bolger was forced into a brilliant one-handed save from McGeown as her shot was destined for the top corner.
However Kerry negated their threat after that save with O’Shea and Anna Galvin tagging on scores to hand the hosts a five-point interval lead.
Galvin then went on a fine run and score from the second-half throw-in.
But Armagh nailed three points on the spin from Eve Lavery, McGeown and Mackin to make it a three-point game.
Carr then made a fine double save to deny O’Shea and Lucey.
But Lucey saw yellow straight afterwards for a high challenge.
O’Shea looked to have won it for Kerry when she pointed in the 45th minute to put seven points between the teams.
TIDE TURNED
Yet that was the Kingdom’s last score as they ran out of steam.
It was all Armagh from here on in. Reel scored a brace of points and that was followed by a fine goal from Mackin.
Rebecca Cunningham then netted a scorcher in the 53rd minute.
And the last goal of the contest came from Roisin Mulligan as Armagh had too much for Kerry in the closing stages.
ARMAGH: A Carr; M Ferguson, L Kenny, C Towe; E Druse, L McConville, R Mulligan 1-0; N Coleman, C O’Hanlon 0-1; A McCoy, M Feehan, E Lavery 0-2; N Reel 0-5, 1f, M Lennon, E McGeown 0-2.
Subs: B Mackin 1-1 for Kenny 33 mins; C McNally for Lennon 40; M McGann for Lavery 40; R Cunningham 1-0 for McGeown 52; N Henderson for Reel 55; C Garvey for M Feehan 56.
KERRY: M E Bolger; R Smith, D Kearney, F O’Donoghue; A O’Connell, K Cronin 0-1, A Dillane; M O’Connell, A Galvin 0-2; N Carmody, N Ní Chonchúir 0-1, C Evans 0-1; J Lucey 0-1, S O’Shea 1-6, 0-4f, R Dwyer 0-1.
Subs: J Gill for Evans 44 mins; C McCarthy for Smith 47; K Brosnan for Dwyer 47; K O’Connor for Ní Chonchúir 49; M Higgins for Lucey 55; N Ní Chonchúir for O’Connell 56; R Rahilly for O’Donoghue 58.
REFEREE: J Murphy (Carlow).
