Kerry power past Sligo and into All-Ireland minor semis

Kerry 2-12 Sligo 1-6

Conor Geaney led the destruction of Sligo with 1-4 as holders Kerry powered through to the All-Ireland minor football semi-finals.

Jack O’Connor’s side were rarely troubled in Tullamore where they braved the windy conditions to comfortably book an August 23rd showdown with Derry at Croke Park.

O’Connor admitted beforehand that he’d have preferred the game to go ahead in Croke Park last Sunday, alongside the senior team.

But the venue clearly didn’t bother the Munster champions who built on a 1-6 to 0-3 half-time lead to win by nine.

Brian O Seanachain hit Kerry’s first goal after seven minutes while Sligo went 20 minutes at one stage without a score.

Geaney, cousin of senior Kerry stars Paul and Mikey, was the key man overall and his 41st minute goal effectively killed off Connacht finalists Sligo.

The Yeats County had hinted at a third quarter revival when they scored points from Liam Gaughan and Rian Kennedy to reduce the margin to five.

Kerry were also playing into the breeze in the second-half but Geaney’s soccer style finish from close range for their second goal settled the Kingdom.

He added another point before scores from Andrew Barry, Sean O’Shea and wing-back Gavin White.

Kerry led by 2-11 to 0-5 after White’s point though Sligo at least battled gamely and pulled back a late goal through Kyle Cawley.

The win was all the more impressive as Kerry were without key duo Cormac Linnane and Marc O’Connor due to injury. Boss O’Connor picked out full-back Jason Foley as his most influential defender as Sligo were held to 1-4 from open play.

Kerry: B Courtney; D Brosnan, J Foley, J Morgan; G White (0-2), M Breen, D O'Brien (0-2); A Barry (0-1), JM Foley; B Barrett, B O Seanachain (1-0), S O'Shea (0-2, 0-1f); S O'Sullivan, B Sweeney, C Geaney (1-4, 0-1f).

Subs: M Foley for O'Sullivan (44), T O'Sullivan for Brosnan (48), E Cronin for O'Shea (49), R Buckley (0-1) for Foley (52), J Duggan for Barrett (56), D O'Shea for Breen (57).

Sligo: C McGovern; M O'Dowd, E McGuinness, B Mahon; N Mullen, D Cummins, M Gordon; K Banks, P Kilcoyne; L Gaughan (0-1), R Kennedy (0-3, 0-2f), F Cawley (0-1); S Power, P O'Connor, K Cawley (1-0).

Subs: A McLoughlin for O'Connor (30), N Rooney for Mullen (45), C Lally (0-1) for Banks (53), C Herron for Kennedy (59), O Gilmartin for McGuinness (59, black card).

Referee: J Hickey (Carlow).