Pat O'Brien Cup Semi-Final: Kerry v Shannon Blues

By Rory O'Donnell

Kerry 2-11 Shannon Blues 0-6

Kerry made a clear statement with a convincing win over the Blues on Sunday afternoon.  With the field looking in pristine condition, it was the Green and Gold that adorned it with a fine performance and a double digit win.  A goal from Graham Glenn in each half put the issue beyond doubt, the second coming with 10 minutes still remaining.

Kerry looked impressive in Sunday's Cup Semi-Final.

Kerry used the early ball into Robbie Croft to great effect.  The Dubliner made good use of the ball when in possession, holding up the play and waiting for the right pass.  Joey Fitzpatrick was another shining light in Kerry's forward line.  The man from St. Finbar's in Cork played with gusto, and accounted for three of Kerry's scores.  Kerry's defence also did well to snuff out most of the Blues forays forward, Paul Devane marshaled the line well and Aaron Fitzgerald was a tower of strength for the Kerrymen.  Glenn netted towards the end of the first half.  The score put some distance between the teams as up to that point there was a 2 point difference in Kerry's favour.  For the Blues it was Shane Kavanagh on the mark, along with David Clifford and Derek O'Brien.

Heading into the second half 5 points in arrears, the Blues further lost ground with a Croft free going between the posts.  Soon afterwards Croft held the ball up well and lobbed a high pass into Glenn, who made a clean catch and buried the ball from the edge of the square.  The Blues rallied and came close to netting a goal, but two great chances were stopped on the line by a swarming Kerry defence.  Kerry continued to maintain the upper hand and saw the game out with a fine win to send them into the final.  Kerry are looking strong in the early season with some impressive additions to the home based panel and the southerners will face Donegal in the final. 

Kerry:  B. Monagle, J. O'Shea, M. Godley, M. Moriarty, A. Fitzgerald, P. Devane, I. Whelan, D. Nolan, N. Sheehy, G. Glenn, J. Fitzpatrick, R. Croft, K. Mooney.  Blues:  C. Wallace, T. Wallace, S. Kelly, D. O'Brien, C. Moriarty, K. Byrne, S. Moriarty, P. Murray, D. Cliffird, J. Feeney, J. Craig, S. Kavanagh, C. Fields.