All Hail Kerry…David Moran watches his effort sail over the bar during a heavy hail shower in the Kerry v Dublin Allianz National League match in Killarney. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerry 0-15
Dublin 1-10
Kerry picked up another two Allianz National League points today in Killarney, as they beat great rivals Dublin, thanks to a superior second-half performance at Fitzgerald Stadium.
The conditions were terrible at times and it was also an ill-tempered affair on occasions, with five yellows, four black cards and a red card brandished by referee Eddie Kinsella.
While held for much of the first-half, Kieran Donaghy played a real captain’s role in the second period, distributing ball for vital scores and even rising catch a ball near the Kerry goal line in the closing stages when Dublin sought to snatch victory.
Kieran Donaghy rises for the ball during the Kerry v Dublin Allianz National League match in Killarney. Photo by Dermot Crean
Dublin started well with Kevin McManamon and Jack Caffrey leading the charge. They led by 0-7 to 0-4 at one stage before Kerry pegged them back before half time to leave just one point between them going in at the break.
Bryan Sheehan was instrumental in keeping Kerry in touch with five of his six points on the day coming from placed balls.
Paul Geaney sees his shot saved in the Kerry v Dublin Allianz National League match in Killarney. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerry were much improved in the second-half and further points from Sheehan and David Moran put them in the driving seat during appalling weather conditions where hail and snow fell for a long period.
Bryan Sheehan scores another free in the Kerry v Dublin Allianz National League match in Killarney. Photo by Dermot Crean
The introduction of Barry John Keane was also a shrewd move by the Kerry boss as the Kerins O’Rahilly’s man picked up two points from play.
Kerry actually finished the game with an all Tralee full-forward line when Tommy Walsh was introduced on 59 minutes.
Despite a goal for Dublin with 10 minutes to go, Kerry held on for Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s first win over Dublin as Kerry senior team boss.
Tempers fray in the Kerry v Dublin Allianz National League match in Killarney. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerry: B Kiely; P Kilkenny, M Griffin, F Fitzgerald; J Lyne, J Sherwood, P Murphy; A Maher, D Moran; M Geaney, B Sheehan, J Buckley; S O’Brien, K Donaghy, P Geaney.
Subs: K Young for P Murphy, BJ Keane for M Geaney, T Walsh for P Geaney, S Enright for Kilkenny, A Fitzgerald for Sheehan, P O’Connor for O’Brien.
Scorers – Kerry: B Sheehan (0-6, 0-4 frees, 0-1 ‘45); S O’Brien, BJ Keane, J Buckley (0-2 each); P Geaney, D Moran, M Geaney (0-1).
Dublin: S Currie; M Fitzsimons, R O’Carroll, D Daly; J Cooper, P McMahon, J McCaffrey; D Bastick, S Carthy; T Brady, D Rock, C Kilkenny; K McManamon, E O’Gara, C Costello.
Subs: C O’Sullivan for Bastick, B Brogan for Costello, P Andrews for Rock, N Devereux for McMahon, B Fenton for Brady, E Lowndes for Cooper.
Scorers – Dublin: B Brogan (1-2, 0-1 free); J McCaffrey (0-2); D Rock (0-1 free), C Kilkenny, S Carthy, T Brady, K McManamon, E O’Gara (0-1 each).
