GAELIC GAMES/Kerry 1-15 Westmeath 1-13:THE FREE-TAKING of Darragh O'Connell proved decisive as Kerry collected their second brace of league points, and Westmeath will now be favourites for the drop, after this desperately disappointing Division Two clash at Austin Stack Park, Tralee on Saturday afternoon.
Westmeath failed to take advantage of the wind in the first half as Mike Conway excelled for Kerry at centre-back in his comeback game and with O’Connell scoring five points from placed balls, Kerry led 0-9 to 0-7 at the interval.
Westmeath pulled level thanks to a sideline cut from Derek McNicholas that went all the way to the net in the 48th minute. But Kerry, thanks to inspired defending by Eamon Fitzgerald, Colin Harris and Mike Conway, edged clear when Aidan Boyle appeared to get a touch to an O’Connell long-free to divert the ball to the net.
Points from Dan Carthy, Andrew Mitchell and Derek McNicholas kept Westmeath in touch but Kerry battled all the way with Mikey and Liam Boyle to the fore and a late point from Kerry substitute Ronan Kenny ensured his side escaped to victory. Brendan Murtagh’s last-second effort for a goal from a free was saved by a vigilant Kerry defence and this was sweet revenge for Kerry for that injury-time loss in the Christy Ring cup last summer.
KERRY: B Rochford; J Godley, T Murnane, C Harris; A Royle, M Conway (0-1, free), P O’Grady; P Costelloe, D Dineen (0-1); S Nolan, L Boyle (0-2), M Boyle (0-1); J Egan, A Boyle (1-0), D O’Connell (0-9, eight frees, one 65). Subs: E Fitzgerald for A Royle (29 mins), R Kenny (0-1) for A Boyle (65 mins), T Moloney for S Nolan (68 mins).
WESTMEATH: P Burke; R Whelan, A McGrath, E Price; P Gilsenan (0-1), A Mitchell (0-3, one free, one 65), J Shaw; J Clarke, N Flanagan (0-1); B Smyth, B Murtagh (0-3), C Flanagan, C Curley; D McNicholas (1-1), D Carthy (0-3, frees). Subs: N Dowdall (0-1) for C Curley (34 mins), B Leharte for J Shaw (40 mins).
Referee: C Lyons (Cork).
