THE TIPPERARY INFLUENCE on the progress of the Kerry hurlers continued today in Tralee.
Kerry saw off Down by 2-17 to 2-10 in their Round 1 clash in the Christy Ring Cup. Manager Eamonn Kelly and coach Conor Gleeson – both Tipperary natives – will be pleased with their sides progress as they built on their brilliant recent achievement in clinching promotion to Division 1B of the hurling league next year.
And they introduced a Tipperary 2007 All-Ireland minor and 2010 All-Ireland U21 winner to their ranks in attacker John O’Neill.
A Clonoulty-Rossmore native, O’Neill lined out for Tipperary in the 2012 All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final but has now been added to the Kerry ranks.
Goalkeeper James Logue and forward David Butler are other Tipperary natives in the Kerry squad while 2013 Clare All-Ireland senior winner Patrick Kelly made an important contribution to today’s win as he shot 0-4.
O’Neill came on in the second-half for Kerry as the Kingdom claimed a seven-point victory. They had been in front 2-7 to 1-5 at the break with Padraig Boyle and Colm Harty grabbing their goals.
Meanwhile London and Kildare will have to meet again after they played out a pulsating match today that finished 2-23 apiece after extra-time in Ruislip. They will meet next weekend in a replay in Newbridge.
Derry also saw off Mayo by two points in their opening Christy Ring Cup match while there were wins for Tyrone in the Nicky Rackard Cup and Fermanagh in the Lory Meagher Cup.
Results
Christy Ring Cup
Round 1
Kerry 2-17 Down 2-10
London 2-23 Kildare 2-23 (after extra-time)
Derry 0-13 Mayo 0-11
Meath 1-21 Wicklow 1-5
Nicky Rackard Cup
Round 1
Tyrone 1-12 Donegal 0-11
Monaghan 4-10 Longford 0-10
Roscommon 3-12 Fingal 0-9
Armagh 2-16 Louth 2-11
Lory Meagher Cup
Round 1
Fermanagh 3-12 Warwickshire 2-7
Sligo 4-16 Leitrim 2-12
