MUNSTER SFC SEMI-FINAL Nemo Rangers 2-12 Kerins O'Rahillys 0-12:TWO FIRST-HALF goals from the outstanding Paul Kerrigan helped holders Nemo Rangers advance to the semi-final of the Munster Championship in trying conditions at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday.
And to cap a disappointing afternoon for Jack O'Connor's Kerins O'Rahillys side, key forward Barry John Walsh looks set to miss Sunday's Kerry county final after he was stretchered off with an ankle injury in the opening quarter.
Nemo, now the warmest of favourites to lift a record 15th provincial title, played against the strong wind from the start, but received a timely boost with a third-minute goal. James Masters's high, probing shot dropped invitingly on the edge of the square, where the alert Kerrigan beat goalkeeper Gary Kissane to punch home a crucial score.
Kerins O'Rahillys recovered their composure to edge in front for the first and only time after 19 minutes, when John O'Connor pointed a free following a foul on Tommy Walsh, operating at full forward.
But, Nemo's response was decisive. Straight from Briain Morgan's kick-out, midfielder David Niblock won possession and set off on a run before passing to Kerrigan, who scored his second goal with a high, cracking shot.
Although captain Declan Quill replied with a free for the visitors, Nemo stretched their advantage at the interval to 2-4 to 0-6 with three points from play from Kerrigan, David Kearney and an excellent effort from Masters in stoppage time.
Kerins O'Rahillys reshaped for the second half, bringing on Pat Madden to join Micheal Quirke at midfield and switching David Moran from there to centre forward. A defence-splitting pass from Barry John Keane sent Tommy Walsh tearing through the middle inside two minutes and only Morgan's fingertips stopped a certain goal, the ball just clearing the crossbar.
Keane and Moran kicked superb points to reduce Nemo's lead to two points and suggested a comeback loomed. However, that was the closest the Strand Road outfit got to the champions, who nullified the threat with a storming final quarter effort.
Masters and Kerrigan traded points with David Moran to leave a goal between the teams after 48 minutes, but it was all Nemo from there to the inevitable conclusion.
Alan Cronin picked out Masters with a lovely weighted pass and the Cork star duly finished in some style. Moments later, Niblock, now at full forward, curled over a beauty from distance to open up a five-point lead.
The Kerry side were tiring and their spirits were drained ever more by Kerrigan's glorious free from way out on the left to make it 2-11 to 0-11 after 55 minutes.
The watching Dromcollogher-Broadford contingent left knowing they've some task on their hands when the Limerick champions host Nemo in a fortnight.
NEMO RANGERS: B Morgan; N Geary, D Kavanagh, S McKeown; M Cronin, B O'Regan, C O'Brien; M McCarthy (capt), D Niblock (0-1); S O'Brien, A Cronin, B O'Driscoll; D Kearney (0-1), J Masters (0-4, two frees), P Kerrigan (2-5, four frees). Subs: C O'Shea for McKeown 35 mins, D Mehigan (0-1)for Kearney (48 mins); B Twomey for O'Driscoll (54 mins); G Murphy for O'Brien (58 mins); P Brophy for Geary (59 mins).
KERINS O'RAHILLYS: G Kissane; D O'Sullivan, M O'Shea, G O'Grady; B Quill, B Moran, G Duffy; D Moran (0-3, one free, one 45), M Quirke; J O'Connor (0-1, free), T Walsh (0-2), T O'Sullivan; D Quill (capt, 0-5, three frees), BJ Walsh, BJ Keane (0-1). Subs: R Molloy for BJ Walsh (inj, 15 mins); P Madden for O'Sullivan (half-time); J Kelly for O'Grady and K Scannell for Duffy (58).
Referee: B Tyrell(Tipperary).
