Sport

Kennedy keeps Kerry on track

All-Ireland MFC quarter-finals/Kerry 2-7 Mayo 0-9: Kerry deservedly earned a semi-final place against Donegal in three weeks…

Mon Jul 31 2006 - 01:00

All-Ireland MFC quarter-finals/Kerry 2-7 Mayo 0-9: Kerry deservedly earned a semi-final place against Donegal in three weeks time when they proved too strong for Mayo in yesterday's All-Ireland minor football quarter-final at Cusack Park, Ennis. A goal in either half by the Kerry colts, proved to be the difference on a day when Mayo over-elaborated on too many occasions, in contrast to Kerry's more direct approach.

Mayo grabbed the opening score through a Liam Lydon point but Kerry responded well and led 0-6 to 0-1 after 16 minutes with points from captain Paddy Curran (three), Gary Sayers, Tommy Walsh and David Moran.

Pierce Hanley, and Lydon once more with a pair of points, kept Mayo's hopes alive before Johnny Buckley fisted to the net from a Moran delivery to help Kerry establish a 1-6 to 0-4 interval lead.

In the second period Sayers extended Kerry's lead with a fine point but Keane and Donal Gallagher added points to keep Mayo in contention by the end of the third quarter.

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Kerry had to wait until the 57th minute for a further score, while in the meantime a first touch by Mayo sub Brain Gallagher yielded a point to leave a goal between the teams, 1-7 to 0-7.

Substitute Eoin Kennedy, son of Kerry team manager John Kennedy, wrapped up his side's win with a clinically taken goal with three minutes remaining.

KERRY: T Mac an tSaor; B Russell, M Moloney, S Ó Sé; S Enright, A Greaney, B Costello; T Walsh (0-1), G O'Driscoll; J Buckley (1-0), P Curran (0-3, two frees), D Moran (0-1); G Sayers (0-2), P Curtin, J Doolan. Subs: D O'Shea for Buckley (36 mins), E Kennedy (1-0) for Doolan (42 mins), S Browne for Russell (54 mins), R Aghas for Greaney (54 mins).

MAYO: A McCallig; L Tunney, B Gibbons, K McLaughlin; K Barrett, R O'Connor, J Griffiths; D Egan, D Gallagher (0-1); P Hanley (0-2), L Lydon (0-2), T Gavin; T Parsons, D Keane (0-2, two frees), M Sweeney. Subs: D Vaughan for Griffiths (44 mins), B Gallagher (0-1) for Egan (50 mins), G O'Boyle (0-1) for Sweeney (51mins), C Jordan for Gavin (54 mins).

Referee: D Fahy (Longford)