Kerry 3-18 Christopher's 2-13
Kerry came out on top in a game where the pressure was on
them to deliver badly needed a win.
Kerry who could be accused of underperforming in recent games delivered
in style and showed that they will be a dangerous team to meet in the remainder
of the championship. Leading by a goal
at the break, Kerry weathered an early second half storm from Christopher's to
run out 9 point winners.
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| Midfielder Aaron Hickey on a first half the attack for Kerry. |
At the end of a fast paced, well contested, first half it
was Kerry ahead by the single goal. The
Kingdom set out their stall early with a goal from center forward Shane
O'Callaghan inside the first 5 minutes. The
inrushing O'Callaghan was found bearing down on goal and the Austin Stacks man
buried the ball into the far corner. The
goal was preceded by well taken points from Niall Sheehy, Darragh O'Brien, and
Aaron Hickey as Kerry moved the ball well and at speed. Within 10 minutes Christopher's had cancelled
Kerry's fast start and the game was level.
Starting in midfield, David Culhane had pointed and a goal came for
Christopher's. Jason Lonergan's effort
at a point shot came high off the post, and Gary O'Leary was there to win the
rebound and was pulled back in the area.
Chris Brady put the ball away low to the keeper's left, and two points
later, one from Padraig Lucey and another from Brady, the game was tied. Kerry to their credit kept up the tempo and
did not let the setback change their mindset.
The Kingdom men's persistence was rewarded with 2 goals. One was a spectacular shot off the underside
of the crossbar from O'Brien following a well worked move, and the second was
from a penalty after O'Callaghan was held in the area while contesting a high
ball. O'Brien finished the shot and the
pressure was on Christopher's. Christopher's
ended the half with points from Michael Quinlivan and Shane Power frees and at
the break it was 3-6 to 1-9 in favour of the green and gold.
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| Niall Sheehy tries to stop Chris Davies from coming out with the ball. |
Christopher's reduced the deficit to a point early in the
second half going on a 4 points to 2 run after the restart, then Kerry missed 2
golden chances to pull ahead further.
First David Clifford had his shot saved by Paudie Kenneally, and a
minute later O'Brien hit the inside of the post with his placed shot as
Christopher's goal lived a charmed life.
Kerry eventually broke down their opponents and went on a scoring spree
that out them eight points to the good.
The back line had their act together and broke up several Christopher's
attacks, building well for their own assaults on the Christopher's goal. There were well taken points from Joe
Fitzpatrick, Aaron Hickey, O'Brien, and O'Callaghan. As the Kerry lead stretched with the clock
ticking away Christopher's were thrown a lifeline. A penalty was awarded by referee Jimmy
Trimble for holding in the penalty box.
Brady put the shot away, but Kerry underlined their dominance by
answering with a Sheehy point. It was a
morale boosting win for Kerry heading into the final 2 games of the championsip,
but consistency is an issue that needs to be addressed if the Kerry men are to
make a fist of it for the playoff stages.
Kerry: P. Bailey, S.
Driscoll, D. Larkin, E, Mullan, S. Cunningham, D. Clifford, A. Hickey, I.
Whelan, D. Clabby, S. O'Callaghan, J. Fitzpatrick, D. O'Brien, N. Sheehy. Christopher's:
P. Kenneally, C. Lordan, C. Davies, C. Murphy, E. O'Neill, G. O'Leary,
D. Culhane, P. Lucey, J. Lonergan, M. Quinlivan, S. Power, C. Brady, M. Mennis.
By Rory O'Donnell
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