Sport

Kerry stage a tremendous fightback

McGRATH CUP SEMI-FINALS: Kerry 2-11 Cork 1-11: HOLDERS AND Munster champions Kerry, staged a tremendous fightback in the last…

Mon Jan 24 2011 - 00:00

McGRATH CUP SEMI-FINALS: Kerry 2-11 Cork 1-11:HOLDERS AND Munster champions Kerry, staged a tremendous fightback in the last last 20 minutes to come from four points down to edge out the All-Ireland champions at the Dr Crokes pitch in Killarney on Sunday afternoon.

Kerry, thanks to the midfield dominance of Anthony Maher and Séamus Scanlon, raced 0-8 to 0-4 clear inside the opening 19 minutes, but failed to scored for the next 23, as Cork scored 1-6 without reply and moved 1-10 to 0-9 clear.

However thanks to the experience of Pádraig Reidy, Tomás Ó Sé and the pace of man-of-the-match Darran OSullivan, Kerry struck and, boosted by a goal from a David Moran penalty five minutes from time, the home side kept Cork scoreless for 26 minutes of the second half, allowing the Kingdom to escape with a three-point win.

Kerry were dominant in the opening quarter and won 15 out of 22 first-half kick-outs thanks to the work of Maher and Scanlon.

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Darran O’Sullivan had the beating of Richard O’Sullivan and was carving open the Cork defence, as he kicked two magnificent points and with David Geaney scoring two from play and two from frees, Kerry raced 0-8 to 0-4 in front, Fiachra Lynch and Mark Cronin keeping Cork in touch.

Then, after Kieran O’Connor was introduced to put the shackles on O’Sullivan for a brief spell, Cork’s challenge suddenly ignited and they got a breakthrough in the 24th minute when Shane Enright clipped Mark Cronin in the square and Fiachra Lynch drove the penalty low past Brendan Kealy.

Kealy came to Kerry’s rescue two minutes later with a blinding save from Alan O’Connor and in the second half he tipped a Lynch effort on to the cross bar.

Cork led 1-8 to 0-8 at the interval and David Goold extended their lead early in the second period.

Kerry had Darran O’Sullivan in imperious form – scoring a point and then sending Paul Geaney through, who in turn placed Donnacha Walsh for a trademark goal.

Despite three wides in quick succession, Kerry had the bit between their teeth, with Tomás Ó Sé showing all his experience and young Jonathon Lyne (a cousin of the Spillane brothers) showing to good effect.

Kerry secured victory in the 64th minute when Darran O’Sullivan was taken down as he was about to shoot inside the square and David Moran coolly drilled the penalty home.

KERRY:B Kealy; P Reidy, Danny O'Sullivan, S Enright; J Lyne, T Ó Sé, E Hickson; A Maher, S Scanlon; A O'Sullivan, Darran O'Sullivan (0-3), D Walsh (1-0); D Geaney (0-5, four frees), D Moran (1-1, 1-0 pen), P Geaney (0-2). Subs:P O'Connor for Enright (28 mins); G Sayers for A OSullivan (half-time); K ODwyer for Hickson (49); M ODonoghue for D Geaney (59).

CORK:D Lordan; I Jones, G Spillane (0-1), E Cotter; D O'Sullivan, R O'Sullivan, AJ O'Connor; E Keane, A O'Connor; D Goold (0-2, one 45), T O'Neill, K McMahon (0-2); M Cronin (0-4, two frees), F Lynch (1-2, 1-0 pen), C O'Driscoll. Subs:K O'Connor for AJ O'Connor (21 mins); D OConnor for ODriscoll (52); N Murphy for ONeill (57); J Sexton for Lynch (inj) (63); B Shanahan for Jones (69).

Referee:R Hickey (Clare).