Division One/Kerry 1-17 Fermanagh 0-13: Kerry, displaying that extra bit of class and experience, subdued a fired-up Fermanagh side yesterday in this vital Division One A game at a sun-drenched Fitzgerald Stadium with the snow-covered Reeks offering an epic backdrop.
Despite a brave effort by the visitors to maintain their unbeaten run and end a long hoodoo against the Kingdom, their challenge melted in the final 10 minutes of the match, and it was that man Colm "The Gooch" Cooper who proved the destroyer with some sublime scores.
Indeed, the margin of victory slightly flattered Kerry, who took some time to get going and were knocked out of their stride by a tenacious Fermanagh defence.
Kerry's Eamon Fitzmaurice was pivotal on the 40, linking well with The Gooch and Mike Frank Russell, as the home side swept forward.
Yet, it took their attack until the final quarter to get going, though all but one of their points came from play. They also got four off the bench, Seán O'Sullivan impressing with two fine efforts.
Cooper and Ryan Keenan swapped points before a crucial incident in the 28th minute. Paddy Kelly hauled Peter Sherry down for a Fermanagh penalty, but Mark Little saw his spot-kick brilliantly turned behind by Kerry reserve goalkeeper Kieran Cremin.
Kerry led 0-6 to 0-5 at the interval, but Fermanagh, with the wind to their backs, were in front within two minutes of the restart thanks to points from Eamon Maguire and Tom Brewster.
And the turning point came two minutes later when Kieran Donaghy rose majestically at midfield to catch a Fermanagh kick-out before releasing Declan O'Sullivan. He fed Eoin Brosnan, who rifled the ball to the net.
Fermanagh fought for every ball and it was a two-point game with 10 minutes left, 1-10 to 0-11. Kerry introduced fresh legs in Seán O'Sullivan, Aodán Mac Gearailt and Ronan O'Connor and finished the stronger, kicking seven points to their opponents' two.
KERRY: K Cremin; M Ó Sé, M McCarthy, T O'Sullivan; T Ó Sé, A O'Mahony (0-1), M Lyons; D Ó Sé (0-1), K Donaghy; P Kelly (0-1), E Fitzmaurice (0-2), E Brosnan (1-1); C Cooper (0-5, 1 free), D O'Sullivan (0-1), MF Russell (0-1). Subs: A O'Connell for T O'Sullivan, R O'Connor (0-1) for Kelly, S O'Sullivan (0-2) for Donaghy, A Mac Gearailt (0-1) for Russell, T Griffin for Brosnan
FERMANAGH: C Breen; N Bogue, B Owens, S Goan; R Johnston, S McDermott, P Sherry (0-1); M Murphy, J Sherry (0-1); D Kelly, M Little, T Brewster (0-3 frees); C O'Reilly (0-1), J McGurn (0-5, 1 free), R Keenan (0-1 free). Subs: E Maguire (0-1) for C Reilly, D O'Reilly for Johnson, M McGrath for Little, S Doherty for McGrath, R McCloskey for McDermott.
Referee: Pat McGovern (Galway).
