Kerry ease into Munster U20 final with win over Limerick
Kerry, though not overly impressive, were rarely troubled in booking their place in next week’s Munster U20 final.
John Sugrue’s charges led from gun to tape at a wet and cold Mick Neville Park, eight different players in green and gold finding the target to set up a date with Cork this evening week.
Management, when they come to reflect on this display, will not be at all pleased with what the visitors churned out in the opening half.
Kerry’s advantage had been cut to the minimum, 0-4 to 0-3, by the 27th minute, points late on in the half from half-back Luka Brosnan and Paul Walsh (free) handing them a double-scores advantage at the interval.
Kerry kicked five wides inside the opening 12 minutes of the first period, while on several other occasions they overplayed the ball before the move eventually broke down.
There was a far greater zip to their endeavours upon the change of ends.
Paul Walsh and Killian Falvey swelled their personal tallies, with Paul O’Shea landing two fine points.
Sub Sean Quilter, fresh from his Corn Uí Mhuirí winning exploits with Tralee CBS over the weekend, also rose a white flag when introduced.
Limerick never got closer than three throughout the second period.
Indeed, the gap stood at five and six points for much of the second thirty.
P Walsh (0-4, 0-3 frees); K Falvey (0-3); P O’Shea (0-2); L Brosnan, M O’Gara, P Darcy, R Ó Beaglaoich, S Quilter (0-1 each).
B Coleman, R O’Brien, J Cummins, J Molyneaux, B Foley, J Hayes (0-1 free), E O’Mahony (0-1 each).
M Kelliher (Glenflesk); D McCarthy (Kenmare Shamrocks), J McCarthy (Kenmare Shamrocks), O Fitzgerald (Gneeveguilla); L Brosnan (Castleisland Desmonds), D Casey (Austin Stacks), S O’Brien (Beaufort); D Lyne (Killarney Legion), M O’Gara (Austin Stacks); P Walsh (Brosna), P Darcy (Glenflesk), K Falvey (Annascaul); R Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht), S Keane (Listowel Emmets), P O’Shea (Kilcummin).
C Moriarty (Annascaul) for Casey (26 mins); E Horan (Scartaglen) for Lyne (42); S O’Connell (Cordal) for Keane (49); S Quilter for Ó Beaglaoich (52).
R McElligott (Mungret St Paul); C Woulfe (St Senan's), C Carew (Claughan), D O'Keeffe (Fedamore); B Coleman (Rathkeale), A Shanagher (Rathkeale), J Garvey (Mungret St Paul's); L Kennedy (St Kieran’s), J Molyneaux (Dromcollogher Broadford); R O'Brien (Fr Casey's), B Foley (Newcastlewest), J Cummins (Galbally); J Hayes (St Kieran's), E O'Mahony (Galbally), C Ryan (Feenagh/Kilmeedy).
C McCarthy (Monaleen) for Garvey (43 mins); J Pomeroy (Kildimo Pallaskenry) for O’Keeffe (50); S O’Donoghue (Ballylanders) for O’Mahony (57); S Barry (Mungret St Paul’s) for Kennedy (59); C Galvin (Mungret St Paul’s) for O’Brien (62).
C Maguire (Clare).
The 60 second report
The pair of points Kerry engineered approaching half-time to shove the visitors into a double-scores - 0-6 to 0-3 - interval advantage.
These two points all but killed the home side’s momentum, Limerick having done extremely well to work themselves back within a point of Kerry after 27 minutes.
The talent in this Kerry side. Eight of John Sugrue’s starting team featured in the All-Ireland minor final win over Galway two years ago.
The pitch. Held up very well considering the poor weather of late.
The subs on either side, not that they minded, shouldn’t have to stand during an inter-county fixture.
Paul Walsh and Killian Falvey kicked some lovely points for the winners. James Molyneaux impressed in leading the Limerick charge.
Whether by accident or design, there was a determination on the part of the Kerry players to feed their inside line as often as possible.
This led to the ball being consistently overplayed in the opening half.
At times, they would have been better served by taking a shot 30 metres or so from goal, as opposed to attempting to work the ball in closer.
Inconsistent in the second-half was Christ Maguire, much to the ire of the Limerick management. Didn’t spot one or two instances where the ball was blatantly fouled.
He awarded Limerick a free for a Kerry player having over-carried, which even the Limerick management accepted wasn’t a free.
Kerry welcome Cork to Austin Stack Park, Tralee (7pm throw-in) on Wednesday evening next. At stake is the Munster title.
