Senior Football: Blues Demolish Kerry

Kerry 1-6 Shannon Blues 7-13

Kerry needed to beat the Blues to book a quarter final place, a loss would put them into the mid-week scenario along with Aidan McAnespies and Connemara Gaels.  The Blues proved to be too much for Kerry to handle and a fitter sharper performance saw them continue the streak and get through the game with relative ease.  It was a complete turn around from last year when the Blues had missed out on the playoffs altogether.  One year later and they are on top of the table, unbeaten in the championship.

The Blues James Hynes and Kerry's Gavin Nugent.

The Blues opened the first half well and with about twenty minutes gone, any hopes that Kerry had of upsetting their opponents faded.  David Dineen and James Hynes pointed, before Cathal McHugh netted.  Hynes followed with two points and the Blues were strolling.  Kerry eventually got their act together and put some points on the scoreboard.  Tadhg O’Huallachain pointed twice, and James Dooley once.  The Blues lifted their game again and the mid-week playoff scenario loomed with a second goal just before the half time whistle.  It was Gary Curran who was the scorer, and a point from Cathal McHugh made it 2-6 to 0-3 at the break.

Brian Curran tidys up at the back.

The second half proved worse for the Kingdom as the Blues netted three simple goals in a three minute spell.  Cathal McHugh, Caolan Rafferty, and Cathal Gregg each netted as the Blues found their way through the defence easily.  Kerry kept plugging away but it was a lost cause.  A consolation goal came by way of a penalty. O’Huallachain put it away.  Kerry were through a couple more times for goals but James Hynes made some acrobatic saves to deny Kerry further consolation.  The Blues got in for two more majors and with the outcome, Kerry join McAnespies and the Gaels in the mix for a mid-week playoff.  Judging from the display, the boys from the Kingdom cannot be too hopeful about their fortunes Tuesday night against Aidan McAnespies.

Referee:  David Slevin (Iar Mhi).

Kerry:  B. Kelly, J. O’Mahoney, C. O’Mahoney, M. Godley, J. McGrath, K. O’Connor, I. Whelan, J. Coffey, J. Dooley, T. O’Huallachain,L. Mulligan, G. Nugent, C. O’Brien.  Blues:  T. Sayers, R. Callaghan, D. O’Brien, J. McKeague, M. McGowan, B. Curran, D. Clarke, D. Dineen, J. Hynes, G. Curran, C. Gregg, C. McHugh, C. Rafferty.



By Rory O'Donnell