Sunday, 22 June: Munster Championship, semi-final (Cusack Park)
Clare 1-13 KERRY 1-17
Paul Geaney’s six points from play was crucial as Kerry limped to victory over a plucky Clare side in Cusack Park.
The Banner raced into a 1-5 to 1-2 advantage after 19 minutes, thanks to a Shane McGrath goal after a piercing Podge Collins run. The Kingdom trailed by the minimum at the break. but took control afterwards and quickly moved into a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Stephen O’Brien, Paul Geaney and Bryan Sheehan all kicked important scores that sent Kerry into the lead and despite a late second yellow card for Anthony Maher, they held on for the win.
Sunday, 07 July: Munster Championship, final (Páirc Úi Chaoimh)
Cork 0-12 KERRY 0-24
Kerry stunned 14-man Cork with an unlikely 12-point thumping in the Munster final.
James O’Donoghue marked his return from a shoulder injury with a 10 point haul (0-8 from play) with a sparkling display in the last ever Munster final in Páirc Úi Chaoimh before the venue is redeveloped.
Kerry took a huge step towards their 76th Munster title when they hit Cork for 11 unanswered scores during the first half. Along with O’Donoghue, Paul Geaney kicked three fine points while Sheehan stroked over a few brilliant placed balls for the Kingdom.
Cork had no answer and Eamon Fitzmaurice’s men ran out convincing winners.
Sunday, 03 August: All-Ireland series, quarter-final (Croke Park)
KERRY 1-20 Galway 2-10
Kerry sealed a safe passage through to the semi-finals with a high-scoring defeat of Galway in an entertaining game. O’Donoghue continued his stunning form with 1-5 from play as he impressed, as did young Galway starlet Shane Walsh, who kicked five points.
Kerry raced into a 1-5 to 0-0 lead but a fine goal from Thomas Flynn, where he ran from inside his own half, dragged Galway back into the game.
Kerry turned the screw after the break with O’Donoghue, Donnachadh Walsh and Johnny Buckley finding the target. Michael Lundy pulled back a goal for the Tribesmen but as the game turned into a shoot-out, expert finishing by the Munster champions saw them over the line.
Sunday, 24 August: All-Ireland series, semi-final (Croke Park)
KERRY 1-16 Mayo 1-16
Kerry and Mayo finished level at 1-16 each after an epic draw in Croke Park.
It was a game that had everything, but much of the post-match reaction surrounded Lee Keegan’s red card and the scheduling of the replay in Limerick.
Kerry took the game to Mayo in the first half and led by 0-9 to 0-5 at the break. Lee Keegan’s dismissal for swinging a leg at Johnny Buckley mean Mayo dispensed of their sweeper after the interval and they chose to run the ball more through the inspirational Aiden O’Shea, Colm Boyle and Donal Vaughan.
By the 45th minute the sides were level and when Cillian O’Connor dispatched a 59th minute spot-kick, Mayo looked in control. Kieran Donaghy’s decisive impact from the bench saw him assist O’Donoghue’s goal two minutes from time and fellow Killarney man Kieran O’Leary curled over a late, late equaliser.
Sunday, 24 August: All-Ireland series, semi-final replay (Gaelic Grounds)
KERRY 3-16 Mayo 3-13 (aet)
In a replay even more dramatic than the drawn game, it took Kerry until the second-half of extra-time to floor Mayo with a knock-out blow.
Kerry went seven points down early in the first half after Cillian O’Connor hit 2-2 (1-0 from a penalty) but Kieran Donaghy had them within three at the break when he found the net. Kerry scored 1-3 without reply soon after the restart, which included O’Donoghue’s first spot kick, but Andy Moran soon profited from a mistake by Brian Kelly to find the net.
O’Donoghue slotted his second penalty but a couple of late scores from Mickey Conroy and Vaughan brought the game level, before Rob Hennelly dramatically dropped a free kick to win the game just short in the last seconds.
The sides were inseparable in the first-half of extra time, tied at 3-13 apiece, but Jonathan Lyne’s timely brace in the final ten minutes sealed Kerry’s return to Croke Park.
