Kerry 2-10 Kildare 1-5
Paidi O’Se’s Kerry outclassed beaten Leinster finalists Kildare in Thurles this evening to progress to the All-Ireland quarter-finals, for which the draw will be made tomorrow night.
Kildare got off to a flyer and were ahead after the first minute through John Doyle. But Kerry focused on their task and took the lead after Colin Cooper found the net in the third minute following good link up play with team-mate Liam Hassett.
Kerry proceeded to dominate the first half and led their opponents by six points at one stage. But Kildare, who endured a 20 minute period without scoring, bridged that gap to three points when midfielder Dermot Early burst through onto Martin Lynch’s lay-off to drill past Declan O’Keffee in the Kerry goal.
Kerry led 1-7 to 1-3 at half-time.
Neither side started the second half particularly smartly but 10 minutes into the half Kerry dealt their opponents another crushing blow. Eoin Brosnan collected the ball inside the Kildare half and set off on a blistering run through the defence. He ripped through two jaded tackles before belting the ball past Enda Murphy to put Kerry seven points to the good.
The Kildare attack wilted midway through the half and with it any hope of a revival. Kerry played keep ball late on and substitute Johnny Crowley hit a fine point with only minutes to play.
- Mayo are also through to the quarter-finals after they beat Tipperary 0-20 to 1-14 in Ennis.