Munster SFC Semi-finals/Kerry 2-15 Wtaerford 0-4: What benefit is this lopsided affair to the prospects of either team? Kerry must now put the head down in the preparation for their real championship opener against Cork in the Munster final on July 1st while Waterford disappear into the Tommy Murphy Cup.
Granted, the All-Ireland champions first outing deserves widespread coverage but Waterford's footballing inadequacies could have been spared the glare of live television.
Those not related or betrothed to the players probably flicked channels just after Eoin Brosnan rolled his first goal past Tom Wall on 19 minutes.
At least Waterford can exact immediate revenge at Fraher Field next Wednesday when the Kerry under-21 hurlers come to town.
Kerry did eventually drift off the boil after taking an unassailable 2-9 to 0-1 lead into the second-half. When Waterford finally began to generate some attacking momentum, their shooting was atrocious.
Eight wides after the break brought the total to 13 but that statistic fails to note numerous attempts that fell short and comfortably into Diarmuid Murphy's arms.
"They were full of nerves there," said manager John Kiely. "Especially in the first-half. I suppose the old cameras . . . the publicity might have got to them. It affected them. We tried to keep things calm and cool with them. I thought they were up for it but you never know until the referee throws in the ball."
There was one positive from the Waterford performances as full back Thomas O'Gorman kept Kieran Donaghy - attempting to avoid the dreaded second season syndrome - scoreless. Referee Gearóid Ó Connamha must take some credit for this by neglecting to award Donaghy a free until the 54th minute despite O'Gorman taking up residence inside his jersey. Donaghy failed to have a shot all afternoon. His performance is mitigated by recent return from a shoulder injury.
Kerry's plight was unaffected by Donaghy's anonymity as Colm Cooper was in a devilish mood, posting 0-5 including two jewels. Brosnan's 2-2, the goals were garnered in typical Brosnan fashion after intelligent late running from deep, ensured the final 35 minutes was a non-event.
It was also a timid introduction to championship action for defenders Pádraig Reidy and Killian Young. They held up their end of the bargain with some decent contributions that bode well for tougher days that lie ahead. Paul O'Connor also showed well, scoring 0-2, when replacing Mike Frank Russell.
Declan Quill was an unused sub and, just like the previous regime, looks destined for a periphery role under the Pat O'Shea management. In contrast, Darren O'Sullivan and Seán O'Sullivan will surely get further opportunities to dislodge the starting forwards after lively introductions that kept the scoreboard ticking over in the painful dying minutes.
The same can be said of Séamus Scanlon who came into midfield for Micheal Quirke after the Tralee Tigers basketballer made his first championship start to end a drawn out apprenticeship.
Waterford? Very little to report. Rumour has it they won the toss and elected to play into the wind. We find this hard to believe or confirm. The full back line retained their pride; Brian Wall had an off day from dead balls; Mick Ahearne showed well for two scores (the few visiting supporters were quick to inform all that his father is a Kerryman). They were way out of their depth here.
By the time Cork come into view, all Kerry's major rivals for the All-Ireland title will have undergone testing challenges. For better or worse, they will have learned something about themselves. Like last year, Kerry, along with Cork, will be last to discover if the mojo is available for 2007. Stay tuned.
KERRY: 1 D Murphy; 2 P Reidy, 3 T O'Sullivan, 4 M Ó Sé (0-1); 5 T Ó Sé (0-1), 6 A O'Mahony, 7 K Young; 8 D Ó Sé, 9 M Quirke; 10 D O'Sullivan, 11 E Brosnan (2-2), 12 P Galvin (0-2); 13 C Cooper (0-5, two frees), 14 K Donaghy, 15 MF Russell (0-1, free). Substitutes: 24 P O'Connor (0-2, one free) for MF Russell (42 mins), 20 Darren O'Sullivan for Declan O'Sullivan (57 mins), 18 S O'Sullivan (0-1) for P Galvin (58 mins), 17 S Scanlon for M Quirke (62 mins), 19 M Lyons for K Young (68 mins).
WATERFORD: 1 T Wall; 2 J Walsh, 3 T O'Gorman, 4 S Briggs; 7 P Ogle, 6 E Rockett, 5 J Phelan; 8 M Ahearne (0-2), 10 J Hurney; 13 W Hennessy, 11 A Hubbard (0-1), 12 G Power; 14 B Wall (0-1, free), 9 G Hurney, 15 L Ó Lonáin. Substitutes: 17 E Walsh for P Ogle (half-time), 23 A Ahearne for J Hurney (50 mins), 18 L Lawlor for L Ó Lonáin (53 mins), 19 M O'Gorman for G Power, 20 J Ryan for J Phelan (both 65 mins).
Referee: G Ó Connamha (Galway).
YELLOW CARDS: Waterford - John Hurney 9 mins.
Attendance: 3,500
