.
Mike O’Halloran says Kerry have a massive task ahead of them after losing to Westmeath on Sunday in Austin Stack Park…
Kerry 0-15
Westmeath 2-12
Shane Nolan chases Tommy Doyle. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerry lost out to Westmeath by three points in round three of the Joe McDonagh Cup in a closely fought contest in Austin Stack Park Tralee.
Westmeath led by two points at halftime and were fairly good value for their lead at that stage in a low scoring first thirty 35 minutes 1-07 to 0-08.
Westmeath’s ability to win more primary possession than Kerry presented them with easier scoring chances, Cormac Boyle opened their account on eight minutes, Barry O’Mahony replied for Kerry three minutes later.
Continued below…
.
Daithi Griffin and Shane Conway put Kerry two ahead before Niall O’Brien reduced the margin to one. He put Westmeath two ahead when two minutes later he caught a ball behind Bryan Murphy and struck the net.
Allan Devine put a clear goal between the sides when he pointed on twenty minutes.
Daithi Griffin tapped over his second point, Shane Nolan and and Padraig Boyle added a point each to level matters 1-03 to 0-06.
Westmeath had the next three points from the sticks of Joey Boyle (who had replaced Cormac Boyle) Niall O’Brien and Allan Devine.
A battle for the ball in midfield. Photo by Dermot Crean
Shane Conway added two more for Kerry, Allan Devine replied with a pointed free to leave the halftime score Westmeath 1-07 Kerry 0-08.
Kerry were level nine minutes into the second half with two pointed frees from Padraig Boyle, Kerry had squandered a half chance of a goal almost from the throw in.
Jordan Conway replaced Shane Nolan 13 minutes into the half, three minutes later Daithi Griffin put Kerry in front with his third point.
Jack Goulding popped up with his trademark side line cut to put Kerry two ahead only for Westmeath to strike back immediately with a goal from substitute Daragh Clinton, he had replaced Robbie Greville.
Barry O’Mahony dragged Kerry level with a fine point James O’Connor and Jordan Conway had a point each, in-between Allan Devine pointed a free for Westmeath to leave the score with 33 minutes on the clock Kerry 0-15 Westmeath 2-08. Daniel O’Carroll replaced Jack Goulding at this stage.
Westmeath tacked on four points without reply before the end when Aongus Clarke fired over from play Allan Devine also added one from play along with two frees.
Kerry and Westmeath were both guilty of poor shooting and were it not for their this, Westmeath could have won with a little more to spare.
Shane Power of Westmeath tries to break from Barry O’Mahony and Shane Goulding. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerry could have snatched a victory in this game even though they were a little inferior to Westmeath.
Many fans leaving the ground felt that Kerry should go hammer and tongs by playing the best forwards in the county as forwards and having more faith in themselves.
What Kerry wouldn’t do for the likes of Darren Dineen at the back to release the likes of Michael Boyle or Daniel Collins for duties up front.
It is going to be difficult now for Kerry to progress. Kerry have two weeks to rest and reflect prior to travelling to Meath and Antrim wins there might be enough to get them to a final depending on other results, fingers crossed.
Final score Westmeath 2-12 Kerry 0-15.
Kerry team: 1. Martin Stackpoole, 2. Sean Weir, 3. John Buckley, 4. Bryan Murphy, 5. Brandon Barrett, 6. Daniel Collins, 7 James O’Connor (0-01) 8 Shane Nolan(0-01) 9 Brendan O’Leary 10 Dáithí Griffin(0-03) 11. Michael Boyle, 12.Barry O’Mahony(0-02), 13. Jack Goulding(0-01 SLC), 14. Padraig Boyle (Captain)(0-03 2frees), 15. Shane Conway(0-03.2 frees).
Replacements
Jordan Conway(0-01) for Shane Nolan, Daniel O’Carroll for Jack Goulding.
Westmeath.
1.Paddy Carroll, 2.Shane Power, 3.Tommy Doyle Captain, 4.Gary Greville, 5. Liam Varley, 6. Paul Greville, 7. Derek McNicholas 8. Eoin Price, 9. Cormac Boyle(0-01). 10. Ciaran Doyle. 11. Robbie Greville, 12. Aongus Clarke(0-01), 13. Niall O’Brien(1-02), 14. Niall Mitchell. Allan Devine(0-07 5 frees),
Replacements.
Joey Boyle(1-01) for Cormac Boyle, John Gilligan for Eoin Price. Darragh Clinton for Robbie Greville.
The Kerry team. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Daniel Collins drives on. Photo by Dermot Crean
Shane Conway under pressure. Photo by Dermot Crean
Barry O’Mahony strikes. Photo by Dermot Crean
Brendan O’Leary searches for a teammate. Photo by Dermot Crean
