They saw off the 2021 and 2022 champions Meath in Tralee on Saturday by double scores, moving a step closer to ending a famine that stretches back to their 11th title in 1993

“That was a very good performance,” said Long, who manages the team with Declan Quill. “We’ve been building nicely. People have questioned us an awful lot again this year but we know what we’ve been doing. We’ve been training hard behind the scenes.

“In the last few games we had a brilliant second half in the Munster final, Ballybofey was a bit of a stumbling block, the Waterford game was a really good performance but this was a step up again against a really good Meath team.

“Especially against the breeze in the first half; to go in just a point down was down to the backs as they were outstanding. It was one of those days where it’s hard to be a forward but stuff doesn’t go unnoticed to myself and Declan and the tackling and workrate by our forwards off the ball was phenomenal.”

Kerry were in the driving seat when they trailed by just 0-5 to 0-4 at the interval, having played against the breeze and Meath manager Shane McCormack knew they were in trouble at that stage.

“I was disappointed about our lead at half time,” he said. “We had our chances and there was handling errors there as well but we always knew that Kerry were going to press us with that wind as well.

“Look, Kerry have a fantastic squad and I knew that we were going to be up against it but in fairness to our girls, and I keep saying this, they gave us everything. They never stopped and they never gave up. We kept coming at them even when we were down and it was great to see. That’s the Meath character and we never gave up. We’re rebuilding and there’s a turnover of players but in fairness to all of our girls this year they gave it everything.”

Meath introduced former Footballer of the Year Vikki Wall at half time but after a typical run by her failed to yield a score, Kerry went on to slot over seven points on the trot with substitute Siofra O’Shea popping over two fine scores.

Niamh Gallogly shot a welcome point for Meath to bring the score to 0-11 to 0-6 but Kerry were relentless and with seven minutes left on the clock had pushed 0-15 to 0-7 ahead.

Monica McGuirk made a fine save from Emma Dineen at the expense of a point, but she had the final say when she punched over to seal a comprehensive win for Kerry.

Scorers for Kerry: L Ní Mhuiurcheartaigh 0-4 (3f), E Dineen 0-3, S O’Shea 0-3, D O’Leary 0-2, M O’Connell 0-1, A Galvin 0-1, C Murphy 0-1, N Carmody 0-1.

Meath: M Farrelly 0-3, E Duggan 0-2, 1f, C Smyth 0-1, V Wall 0-1, N Gallogly 0-1.

KERRY: C Butler; E Lynch, K Cronin, C Murphy; A O’Connell, D Kearney, A Dillane; M O’Connell, A Galvin; N Carmody, E Dineen, N Ni Chonchúir; H O’Donoghue; L Ní Mhuircheartaigh, D O’Leary. 

Subs: S O’Shea for H O’Donoghue 38, F O’Donoghue for K Cronin 41, L Scanlon for N Ní Chonchúir 45, A Harrington for N Carmody 54, K Brosnan for L Ní Mhuircheartaigh 57.

MEATH: M McGuirk; S Wall, M.K. Lynch, N Troy; N Gallogly, S Melia, K Newe; M O’Shaughnessy, A Cleary; M Thynne, K Cole, C Smyth; M Byrne, M Farrelly, E Duggan. 

Subs: V Wall for K Cole H/T, A Sheridan for K Newe 37, R Casserly for M Byrne 50, C Lawlor for N Troy 53, S Lynch for C Smyth 59.

Referee: Barry Redmond (Wexford).