The Kerry team which beat Kildare on Saturday to reach the Christy Ring Cup final. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Our hurling analyst, Mike O’Halloran, was in Newbridge yesterday for Kerry’s comprehensive victory over Kildare in the Christy Ring Cup semi-final…
Kerry 6-27
Kildare 0-9
Bryan Murphy pucks the sliotar upfield during yesterday’s game. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Kerry strolled to the most convincing of wins ever I would guess in the history of Kerry hurling.
I predicted a close game that would end in a draw with Kerry winning in extra time – how delightfully wrong I was.
I based my predictions on Kildare having a couple of more competitive games than Kerry in the past few weeks and how Meath had tested Kerry in Tralee.
I did not reflect back to Abbeydorney two years ago in the league where this team gave Kildare quite a dusting.
The game was well and truly over by halftime when Kerry led by 3.13 to 0-3, the goals coming from Michael Boyle who was on fire from the first contact with with the ball.
In my preview I said that Michael needed to win ball in the air and man did he win ball!
The Kerry backs in action on Saturday. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
His hand was like a magnet all day and his distribution and scoring was a joy to watch.
From the off, Kildare had no answer to Kerry in any area of the field and were it not for the heroics of their goalkeeper, Paul Dermody, Kerry could have had at least five more goals.
To add to his general saves, he also saved a bullet of a penalty from Shane Nolan.
All through the game, the Kerry fullback line was hardly troubled. The half back line of Collins, Dineen and Carmody blocked everything before it went anywhere near the danger area and along with preventing scoring opportunities they also linked up with Griffin and Egan to set up the “Magnificent Six” forwards.
Michael O’Leary was awesome from the throw-in and scored four points, Colum Harty worked and ran himself into the ground all day, bagging a goal and a point, Michael Boyle caught everything that was struck in his general direction and stuck in four goals and one point while his brother Padraigh was awesome.
He set up scores and tapped over five points himself and David Butler was busy all hour.
Oh yes, did I mention the man who is said to have had a “quiet game”, well Shane Nolan only scored 1-7, not a bad return for a “quiet game”. With his scores alone, Kerry would have won by a point.
The Boyles and the O’Learys scored 4-11 between them, enough to win most games.
Now that’s some scoreline! Photo by Mike O’Halloran
This was a performance that needed to be witnessed first hand to be believed and in fairness to the Kerry supporters they travelled in numbers.
Kildare cannot point to any aspect of the game that they can take comfort from. Perhaps they can point to playing more than half the game with 14, but frankly I don’t think it made any great difference.
They never gave up the effort to get into the game but Kerry as a unit were not to be denied one of their greatest ever victories.
Kerry now face Derry in the final at 5.30pm next Saturday in Croke Park.
We will remember that Derry came to Tralee in the league and held their own that day.
Can they do the same next Saturday?
No they can’t. There is nothing to stop this machine. They set out to “Win The Ring” and that’s what they will have done by seven o’clock next Saturday.
Scorers for Kerry: Michael Boyle 4-1, Shane Nolan 1-7, (5 frs, 2 65s), Michael O’Leary 0-4, Colum Harty 1-1, Padraigh Boyle 0-5, John Griffin, John Egan and John O Neill 0-2 each, Daniel Collins, Keith Carmody, Brendan O Leary 0-1 each.
Ballyduff men at the game yesterday. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
The Costellossupporting Kerry on Saturday. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
The Murphy family up for the match on Saturday. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Part of the Ardfert contingent at the game on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
