Kerry 4-21
Waterford 1-4
KERRY COMFORTABLY DEFEATED Waterford 4-21 to 1-4 today, as they progressed to the Munster football final.
Early second-half goals from Anthony Maher, Kieran Donaghy and Declan O’Sullivan gave the Kingdom a commanding lead that inspired them to victory.
Eamon Fitzmaurice’s side had been leading Waterford 0-8 to 0-4 at half-time, after the Déise showed good spirit to stay in the game following a disappointing start.
Kerry stormed into 0-6 to 0-1 lead, with Donnchadh Walsh, James O’Donoghue and Colm Cooper among the scorers.
However, points from Paul Whyte, Shane Ahern and Tony Grey brought Waterford back in the game, making the score 0-6 to 0-4.
Nonetheless, two additional points by Johnny Buckley extended Kerry’s lead to four points just prior to half-time to give them a healthy lead at the break.
In the second half, Kerry’s three goals in the first 15 minutes effectively ended the game as a contest.
Tony Grey’s goal gave his side some consolation, but further points from Fionn Fitzgerald, Paul Galvin, Kieran O’Leary, Cooper and Buckley made the win even more emphatic.
Late on, a Brian Sheehan goal from a penalty was the icing on the cake for Kerry, who simply proved too good for their opponents.
KERRY: Brendan Kealy (Kilcummin); Marc Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht), Aidan O’Mahony (Rathmore), Fionn Fitzgerald (Dr Crokes); Tomás Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht), Killian Young (Renard), Peter Crowley (Laune Rangers); Anthony Maher (Duagh), Johnny Buckley (Dr Crokes); Paul Galvin (Finuge), Colm Cooper (Dr Crokes), Donnchadh Walsh (Cromane); Declan O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses), Kieran Donaghy (Austin Stacks), James O’Donoghue (Legion).WATERFORD: Stephen Enright (Ballinacourty); Tadhg Ó hUallacháin (An Rinn), Niall Walsh (Kilrossanty), Thomas O’Gorman (The Nire); Conor Phelan (Brickey Rangers), Shane Briggs (Ballinacourty), John Hurney (Ballinacourty); Maurice O’Gorman (The Nire), Tommy Prendergast (Kilrossanty); Tony Grey (Stradbally), Shane Aherne (Stradbally), Andy Doyle (Stradbally); Paul Whyte (Kilrossanty), Gary Hurney (Ballinacourty), Robert Aherne (Stradbally).
Down 0-23
Meath 1-10
Down will face Kerry in next Saturday’s Christy Ring Cup final in Croke Park, after beating Meath 0-23 to 1-10 in a replay at Ballycran today.
Down held a narrow 0-12 to 1-6 lead at half-time, despite an early Mark O’Sullivan goal giving Meath the advantage.
They then pulled away in the second period, securing a comfortable victory, with Paul Braniff impressing as he scored eight points.
Meath’s ill-discipline added to their woe, with both Cormac Reilly and Sean Heavey sent off after receiving second yellows late on.
Scorers for Down: P Braniff 0-8 (6f); K McGarry 0-3, P Sheehan 0-3, F Conway 0-2, D Hughes 0-2, D Toner 0-2 , C Coulter 0-1, G Johnston 0-1, J Coyle 0-1.Scorers for Meath: S Clynch (3f) 0-5, M O’Sullivan 1-1, S Morris 0-1, J Kelly 0-1, J Meyler 0-1.
DOWN: S Keith; M Conlan, P Flynn, P Hughes; F Conway, C Woods, M Ennis; D Hughes, C Coulter; P Sheehan, P Braniff, S Nicholson; D Toner, G Johnston, J Coyle.
Subs: K McGarry for Nicholson ,M Turley for Coyle, J McCusker for Toner, E Clarke for Sheehan, B Nicholson for Coulter.
MEATH: S McGann; D Donoghue, D Healy, C Reilly; J Toher, M Burke, S Heavey; S Donoghue, S Morris; E Marsh, S Clynch, J Kelly; P Durnin, M O’Sullivan, P Conneely.
Subs: B Slevin for Conneely (55); J Meyler for S Donoghue (58); A Gannon for Durnin (66).
Referee: Tony Carroll (Offaly)
