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Mike O’Halloran on a disappointing day in Austin Stack Park for Kerry as they bowed out of the Leinster Hurling Championship….
Kerry 3-15
Laois 2-21
Paudie O’Connor looks for a man to pass to. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerry’s journey in the Leinster championship ended in Austin Stack Park on Sunday when they went down to Laois and failed to progress to quarter-final losing out on scoring difference to Westmeath.
Kerry were rocked within three minutes when Neil Foyle struck for goal. Martin Stackpoole had batted away a goal-bound shot only for Foyle to bang the rebound to the net.
Three minutes later Kerry were level and on eleven minutes Padraigh Boyle brought a massive save from Enda Rowland.
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It was nip and tuck for most of the half, Shane Nolan levelled matters on 25 minutes, Kerry 0-8 points Laois 1-5.
With 37 minutes on the timepiece, Shane Nolan rattled the net and within another half a minute he repeated the dose to leave the halftime score Kerry 2-8 Laois 1-7.
Kerry were sitting pretty for the second half, four points ahead and with a breeze to their backs.
Padraig Boyle on the attack. Photo by Dermot Crean
Laois were out early for the second half and as their manager said afterwards, the players were happy to leave the dressing room early as “it wasn’t a very nice place to be”.
They were into action early too and scored three points without reply. Ten minutes into the half Patrick Purcell goaled for Laois to put them ahead by two.
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Kerry tried to keep in contact but found it hard to get scores. The scores needed proved even harder to come by after Sean Weir received a second yellow on 46 minutes.
Laois tagged on the odd point and kept Kerry at bay.
Kerry were six behind with 52 minutes gone — Laois 2-15 Kerry 2-9, with 15 minutes left to the end Michael Boyle banged a 20 metre free to the net — his brother Padraigh had his effort saved but the free had to be retaken and Michael made no mistake.
Kerry introduced Bryan Murphy and Philip Lucid and they both produced points, John Griffin was also brought into the fray and he had a huge influence on the game during his short stint but alas it was all in vain as Laois held out for the win.
Michael O’Leary makes a run. Photo by Dermot Crean
The only consolation for Kerry is that they have held on to their Leinster round robin status and did not drop down to The Christy Ring Cup.
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Kerry: Martin Stackpoole, James O’Connor (1pt), Rory Horgan, Sean Weir, John Buckley (1pt), Darren Dineen, Tom Murnane ( Bryan Murphy 1pt), Jack Goulding (John Griffin), Paudie O’Connor 1pt, Brendan O’Leary, Michael O’Leary, Jordan Conway (1pt) (Maurice O’Connor), Padraig Boyle ( 2 pts frees), Michael Boyle (1.1.), Shane Nolan (2.6. 4fs 1,65) (Philip Lucid 1pt).
Laois: Enda Rowland, Lee Cleere, Leigh Bergin, Dwane Palmer, Ciaran Collier, Charles Dywer, Matthew Whelan, Ross King 13pts, Patrick Purcell 1.2, Sean Downey 1pt (Mark Kavanagh 1pt), Ryan Mullaney (Aiden Corby 1pt), Paddy Whelan (John Lennon), Aaron Dunphy 1pt, Neil Foyle 1gl, Stephen Maher 1pt (Stephen Bergin 1pt).
The Kerry panel before the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Mikey Boyle has a shot on goal. Photo by Dermot Crean
Paudie O’Connor comes under pressure from Stephen Bergin. Photo by Dermot Crean
Michael O’Leary looks for options. Photo by Dermot Crean
