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Kerry 1-13
Westmeath 1-18
Mikey Boyle fires a shot at goal. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
KERRY were rocked by a Westmeath side who well deserved their victory at Austin Stack Park this afternoon, as the home side’s challenge collapsed in the final quarter in this Leinster Senior Hurling Championship tie.
Played in light, but persistent, rain at the Tralee venue, Kerry couldn’t deal with Westmeath’s superior second half performance, where they outscored Kerry by 1-11 to 0-5, Kerry having gone in at the break four points to the good.
A Derek McNicholas goal on 45 minutes proved the catalyst for a victory that leaves Kerry with a crunch match with Offaly in two weeks.
Continued below…
Brendan O’Leary on the ball. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
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Kerry and the visitors swapped points in the opening minutes, but a Mikey Boyle goal put four points between them on nine minutes (1-3 to 0-2).
Westmeath though, hit four points without reply to draw level by the 20 minute mark. Kerry responded with the next three from John Egan, Jack Goulding and Brendan O’Leary before a response from Robbie Greville of the the Leinster side.
But Kerry finished the half stronger tapping over two scores to leave Kerry with a four point cushion at the short whistle – 1-8 to 0-7.
But Westmeath came out all guns blazing and were level by the 41st minute with four points on the trot.
A Mikey Boyle point put the home side back in front, but Westmeath struck that telling blow on the 45th minute with a goal from Derek McNicholas – 1-9 to 1-11.
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Kerry’s Daniel Collins eyes down a Westmeath man. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
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The maroon-clad men from Leinster kicked on, scoring the next three points and led by five on 52 minutes.
Kerry’s Darren Dineen comes away with the ball. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Kerry hit back with a Philip Lucid point but Niall O’Brien responded for the visitors. A Brendan O’Leary score gave Kerry slight hope, but Westmeath were not to be denied as they added three more scores to keep distance between them and eventually ran out 1-13 to 1-18 winners. A late red card for Mikey Boyle didn’t help matters for the home side.
It’s a setback for this Kerry team, but they’ll have two weeks to regroup before a tough game in Tullamore.
More photos below…
Kerry: Aidan McCabe; Bryan Murphy, Patrick Kelly, Keith Carmody; Jason Diggins, Darren Dineen, Tom Murnane; John Griffin, Daniel Collins; Brendan O’Leary (0-2), Michael O’Leary (0-1), Shane Nolan (0-4,0-4 f); Jack Goulding (0-2), Mikey Boyle (1-1), John Egan (0-1)
Subs: Philip Lucid (0-2, 2 frees) for S Nolan ( h/t), Jordan Conway for M O’Leary ( 45), Tommy Casey for J Griffin ( 56), John Buckley for Daniel Collins (64th min); Brandon Barrett (0-1)for Jack Goulding (68th min).
Westmeath: Paddy Maloney; Shane Power, Tommy Doyle, Tommy Gallagher; Aaron Craig, Garry Greville, Aonghus Clarke (0-1); Cormac Boyle (0-3), Eoin Price (0-2); Alan Devine (0-1), Derek McNicholas (1-3), Robbie Greville (0-2); Liam Varley (0-1), Darragh Egerton, Niall O’Brien (0-4, 4f).
Kerry’s, John Griffin chases down a ball. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Kerry’s Jack Goulding looks to turn his marker. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
John Egan ahead of his man. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
