Kerry 0-10
Monaghan 1-11
Barry John Keane tries to get into a scoring position in Sunday’s game against Monaghan. Photo by Dermot Crean
DOWN, but not out just yet.
Monaghan deserve credit for coming to Tralee and digging out a result in a windy Austin Stack Park today, inflicting a second home defeat on the Kingdom this spring.
The loss leaves Kerry in sixth position, on six points, just ahead of Tyrone whom they face next in Omagh.
A victory there could still see them qualify for the semi-finals – if Monaghan beat Dublin next week – but a loss will almost certainly see them relegated to Division 2 because of their poor points difference.
Continued below…
Paul Geaney looks for a way through during the game against Monaghan on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerry had the benefit of a strong wind in the first half but wasted a number of chances, hitting 10 wides in that period.
Paul Geaney was proving a handful for the Farney men on the right and side and slotted over four points (three frees) before he was withdrawn through injury before half-time.
Kerry also lost Alan Fitzgerald through a black card with Darren O’Sullivan making a welcome return in his place.
High flying action from the Kerry v Monaghan match on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerry’s lead of 0-7 to 0-4 at half-time looked fairly precarious and so it proved to be.
Monaghan pulled it back to level terms early in the second half and when Owen Duffy struck for a goal on 48 minutes, things looked ominous for the Kingdom.
The Monaghan defence stood resolute and stifled Kerry’s full-forward line, holding Kerry to just three points in the second period to Monaghan’s 1-7.
Monaghan showed great determination to maintain and extend their lead, securing their Division 1 status.
Kerry, however, face an interesting battle in Omagh.
One that got away…Barry John Keane’s shot blazes just wide during the second half of the Kerry v Monaghan game yesterday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Stephen O’Brien advances on goal during the Kerry v Monaghan game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
KERRY: B Kelly; P Kilkenny, M Griffin, S Enright; J Lyne, P Crowley, K Young; A Maher, D Moran; S O’Brien, A Fitzgerald, J Buckley; P Geaney, K Donaghy (capt), BJ Keane.
Subs: D O’Sullivan for Fitzgerald (BC, 32), T Walsh for Geaney (inj, 33), P O’Donoghue for O’Brien (54), F Fitzgerald for Buckley (59), M OSe for Kilkenny (61), T Hickey for Moran (66).
Scorers: P Geaney 0-4 (3f), BJ Keane 0-2 (1f), J Buckley, J Lyne and S O’Brien 0-1 each, D Moran 0-1 (f).
MONAGHAN: R Beggan; K Duffy, D Wylie, R Wylie; F Kelly, V Corey, K O’Connell; N McAdam, D Hughes; D Mone, P Finlay, O Duffy; D Malone, K Hughes, C McManus (capt).
Subs: D McKenna for 12 (66), T Kerry for Malone (71).
Scorers: Monaghan: C McManus 0-6 (2f), O Duffy 1-1, D Hughes, P Finlay and D Malone 0-1 each, R Beggan 0-1 (f).
