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Mike O’Halloran was in Austin Stack Park on a humbling day for Kerry hurling…
Mikey Boyle tries to get a shot in despite Paudie Foley’s efforts. Photo by Dermot Crean
When I previewed the Kerry hurling journey before a ball was pucked in Division 1B, I wished that the reporting on the games would not be one-eyed, because I predicted good days like the day in Portlaoise and difficult days like today.
I also pointed out that this is a league and how Kerry has performed cannot be judged until the final game in the league.
To be completely fair about yesterday’s game, Kerry were completely outclassed by Wexford. The scoreline says 2-25 points to 0-8, but the defeat was much more comprehensive than the scoreline suggests.
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Jason Diggins in action on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerry hurling supporters were completely deflated after the game. As one lady said to me “today of all days, with the game on television and the football supporters here, they did not do themselves justice”.
I suppose the team did not do themselves justice and I presume this bunch of ambitious players will offer no excuses for their defeat and will begin again tomorrow in their efforts to survive in this division and build for the Leinster round robin series later in the year.
Kerry face another difficult test next Sunday when they travel to Ennis to face Clare, a team that showed kerry no mercy in the Munster league on a freezing cold night in Ennis.
Expect more of the same on Sunday next which leaves Kerry with a crunch four pointer against Offaly in Birr a week later. A win there will keep Kerry in Divison 1B.
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Action during the match on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
As for the game today, it was a poor display against a Wexford team that arrived in Tralee with only 21 players and had sold Kerry a pup with all the stories about their set up not being a happy camp.
In fact, Wexford management felt they were in a “good place” following a decent display against Clare two weeks ago.
From the off, Wexford looked tidy and ruthless they were three points up on four minutes before Shane Nolan pointed a free for Kerry. By then, Shane Tomkins had two points and Andrew Shore, who wore number 5, had one point.
Shore was the boss of Kerry all day and I think it is fair to say that Wexford players outplayed each of their Kerry opponents.
John Egan had a point for Kerry when he had a great chance of a goal, Kerry were not to add another score for 24 minutes while Wexford added 1-9.
The score at halftime was Kerry 0-4 Wexford 1-13 points, near enough to the score in Killarney two weeks ago and like two weeks ago, Kerry could look forward to a gale at their back for the final 35 minutes.
High flying action during the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Unfortunately, the gale did not improve the Kerry challenge as they could only add another four points in the second period – two from play and two from frees, while Wexford added 1-12, winning both halves with and against the wind.
Everything that could go wrong, went wrong for Kerry. The basics deserted them.
They could not get their hands on the ball, their first touch was poor in a tightly cut sward, they took the ball into contact far too often and either lost it or were pulled for over carrying.
They lost the big man Michael O’Leary who was the only forward to make an impression.
MIkey Boyle tries a catch with Andrew Shore defending. Photo by Dermot Crean
They were reduced to fourteen men and eventually thirteen and they missed a wonderful opportunity to win fans from “the football people” that attended early to view their progress.
But like I said, this is a league and if Kerry can survive in this division for next season they will have accomplished what is a realistic ambition for them.
Kerry lost Michael O’Leary to injury and they will be hoping he is back for the Clare game as his presence is vital for the challenge Clare will present.
Let’s not lose heart or faith in this team there will be better days.
A scramble for the ball on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerry Scorers: Shane Nolan 0-5(4); John Egan 0-1, Michael Boyle 0-1, Colum Harty 0-1.
Wexford Scorers: Andrew Shore 1-7, Harry Kehoe 0-6 (0-5 f, 0-1 ’65); Conor McDonald 1-2, Shane Tomkins, Aidan Nolan 0-2 Ian Byrne 0-02, Lee Chin, Liam Óg McGovern 0-1, Diarmuid O’Keeffe 0-1.
Kerry Team: Martin Stackpoole; Sean Weir, Bryan Murphy, Keith Carmody, Daniel Collins Cpt, Tommy Casey, Tom Murnane, Patrick Kelly, John Griffin, Shane Nolan, Michael O’Leary, Colum Harty, John Egan, Michael Boyle, Jack Goulding
Subs: Dougie Fitzelle (Sean Weir), Darren Dineen (Patrick Kelly), Jason Diggins (Thomas Casey), Philip Lucid (Michael O’Leary), Jordan Conway (Jack Goulding)
Wexford Team: Conor O’Leary; Liam Ryan, Matthew O’Hanlon, Eoin Moore; Andrew Shore, Paudie Foley, Andrew Kenny, Leo Chin, Eoin Conroy, Harry Kehoe, Shane Tomkins, Aidan Nolan, Conor McDonald, Podge Doran, Liam Óg McGovern
Subs: Diarmuid O’Keeffe (P Doran), Ian Byrne (A Nolan), Jack O’Connor (L Chin), Aaron Maddock (L Ryan), Kevin Sheridan (E Moore)
