Kerry 1-17
Derry 0-13
ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONS Kerry coasted to their first league win of the season with Paul Geaney hitting a brilliant 1-5 from play against 14-man Derry.
The Kingdom had never played in Celtic Park before but settled quickly and while the sides were level twice in the first quarter, Kerry established a lead and then held on it throughout the game.
Geaney’s intercept goal in the 61st minute, following a slack pass by Derry full-back Niall Holly, ensured they collected their first league points of this Allianz League campaign.
Kerry led 0-10 to 0-7 at half time before disaster struck for Derry when captain Mark Lynch was given a harsh straight red card after 51 minutes.
The visitors were already in control leading by four points but took full advantage, with Geaney hitting 1-4 of his total in the second period. Bryan Sheehan was unerring from dead balls hitting seven points including five frees and a ’45′.
Tommy Walsh, starting his first game for Kerry since the 2009 All-Ireland final, started at wing-forward and switched to full-forward before being taken off early in the second half.
Derry’s inside forwards were not firing and brought on Eoin Bradley for the start of the second-half and he kicked four frees. His brace early in the second-half brought the Oak Leafers to within a point, but Kerry responded with Geaney stroking over points off either foot.
Derry were trailing 0-13 to 0-9 when Lynch was dismissed for a high elbow tackle on Jonathan Lyne in the 51st minute. Initially Derry rallied, scoring the next two points, but Kerry outscored the home side by 1-4 to 0-2 in the closing 14 minutes with Geaney’s goal clinching a good away win for the Kingdom.
Scorers for Kerry: Paul Geaney 1-5, Bryan Sheehan 0-7 (0-5f, 1 ’45′), Barry John Keane 0-2 (0-1f), Stephen O’Brien 0-2, Jack Sherwood 0-1.
Scorers for Derry: Eoin Bradley 0-4 (4f), Mark Lynch (0-2f), Ciarán McFaul (0-1f), Daniel Heavron 0-2 each, Gerard O’Kane, Kevin Johnston, Benny Heron (0-1f) 0-1 each.
KERRY
1. Brendan Kealy (Kilcummin)
2. Pa Kilkenny (Glenbeigh/Glencar)
3. Mark Griffin (St Michaels/Foilmore)
4. Fionn Fitzgerald (Dr Crokes)
5. Jonathan Lyne (Killarney Legion)
6. Jack Sherwood (Firies)
7. Paul Murphy (Rathmore)
8. David Moran (C) (Kerins O’Rahillys)
12. Johnny Buckley (Dr Crokes)
10. Michael Geaney (Dingle)
11. Bryan Sheehan (St Marys)
9. Tommy Walsh (Kerins O’Rahilly’s)
13. Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare)
14. Paul Geaney (Dingle)
15. Barry John Keane (Kerins O’Rahilly’s)
Subs
22. Anthony Maher (Duagh) for Walsh (42)
23. Killian Young (Renard) for Kilkenny (58)
24. Donnchadh Walsh (Cromane) for M Geaney (59)
17. Kieran O’Leary (Dr Crokes) for Keane (64)
18. Philip O’Connor (Cordal) for Fitzgerald (BC, 64)
DERRY
1. Thomas Mallon (The Loup)
2. Oisín Duffy (Foreglen)
3. Niall Holly (Eoghan Rua)
4. John O’Kane (Glenullin)
5. Kevin Johnston (Dungiven)
6. Gerard O’Kane (Glenullin)
7. Sean Leo McGoldrick (Eoghan Rua)
8. Mark Lynch (Banagher)
9. Conor McAtamney (Swatragh)
10. Ciarán McFaul (Glenn)
11. Benny Heron (Ballinascreen)
12. Enda Lynn (Greenlough)
13. Mark Craig (Dungiven)
14. Terence O’Brien (The Loup)
15. Daniel Heavron (Magherafelt)
Subs
22. Eoin Bradley (Glenullin) for O’Brien (half-time)
17. Declan Brown (Bellaghy) for O’Kane (42)
25. Emmett McGuckin (Magherafelt) for Craig (44)
20. Neill McNicholl (Glenullin) for McAtamney (53)
19. Conor Murphy (Dungiven) for McFaul (black card) (68)
23. James Kearney (Swatragh) for Lynn (70)
Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan)