THE OUTLOOK FOR Galway appeared bleak in the third quarter of this Saturday night trip to Tralee, yet Padraic Joyce saw his team mount a stunning revival from 12 points in arrears to rescue a draw.
Forward Shane McGrath was the Galway hero when he flighted over a late two-pointer that was touched over the bar by Kerry goalkeeper Shane Murphy, an orange flag raised after a rule change last year for a score that would previously have been worth one point.
That crowned Galway’s fightback, but it was goals from Cian Hernon in the 61st minute and their terrific captain John Maher in the 65th minute that had really ignited the recovery mission.
Kerry had a late chance to sneak a win when David Clifford, who finished with 1-6 as his scoring contribution, set up Cathal Brosnan, but the substitute clipped a shot narrowly wide.
Mark O'Shea blocks down a shot by Galway's Charlie Power. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
The Kingdom had held commanding advantages, 2-14 to 1-5 in the 47th minute and 2-16 to 1-11 in the 59th minute, yet found themselves reeled in by a gutsy and tenacious showing from Galway.
Backed by the elements on a Tralee evening borrowed from winter, Kerry needed to construct a sizeable half-time advantage.
After 20 minutes, Galway would have been highly satisfied at trailing 1-4 to 1-2. Matthew Tierney, their outstanding early performer, had just broken clear on the right to stick the ball in a gap between goalkeeper Murphy and his left-hand upright.
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That was a strong response by Galway to the concession a minute previously of a Keith Evans goal for Kerry. He finished the rebound after Tony Brosnan’s piledriver was blocked by Eamon McGrath, Galway counting the cost of Brian Cogger being stripped of possession in defence.
Crucially, Kerry won the last 15 minutes on the scoreboard by 1-6 to 0-1, the home fans in full voice as David Clifford spearheaded that charge by helping himself to 1-4. He swung over a pair of glorious two-pointers from play and palmed to the net in the 28th minute, Galway netminder McGrath spilling a high delivery that Dylan Casey hoofed towards the square.
Kerry goalkeeper Shane Murphy under pressure from Galway defence. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Galway were staring at a ten-point deficit, yet were grateful for McGrath denying Joe O’Connor from finding the net with another fiercely-struck shot, while Tierney amassed 1-2 of their early 1-3 tally.
Kerry coped well with the conditions in the early phases of the second half, newcomers Cillian Trant and Evans getting in on the scoring act, as they surged 12 clear.
However, Galway never quit the challenge and a rollercoaster encounter contained decisive late twists and turns, before the teams finished even.
Kerry's Joe O'Connor and Galway's Ryan Roche. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 1-6 (2 2pt play), Keith Evans 1-2, Cillian Trant 0-3, Micheál Burns 0-2, Dylan Casey 0-2, Tony Brosnan 0-1, Joe O’Connor 0-1.
Scorers for Galway: Matthew Tierney 1-4 (1 2pt free), Shane McGrath 0-5 (2 2pt play), John Maher 1-0, Cian Hernon 1-0, Oisin Mac Donnacha 0-2 (1 2pt play), Dylan McHugh 0-1, Finnian Ó Laoi 0-1, Daniel O’Flaherty 0-1.
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Galway mount brilliant comeback from 12 points down to draw with Kerry
Kerry 2-17 (2-2-13)
Galway 3-14 (3-4-6)
THE OUTLOOK FOR Galway appeared bleak in the third quarter of this Saturday night trip to Tralee, yet Padraic Joyce saw his team mount a stunning revival from 12 points in arrears to rescue a draw.
Forward Shane McGrath was the Galway hero when he flighted over a late two-pointer that was touched over the bar by Kerry goalkeeper Shane Murphy, an orange flag raised after a rule change last year for a score that would previously have been worth one point.
That crowned Galway’s fightback, but it was goals from Cian Hernon in the 61st minute and their terrific captain John Maher in the 65th minute that had really ignited the recovery mission.
Kerry had a late chance to sneak a win when David Clifford, who finished with 1-6 as his scoring contribution, set up Cathal Brosnan, but the substitute clipped a shot narrowly wide.
The Kingdom had held commanding advantages, 2-14 to 1-5 in the 47th minute and 2-16 to 1-11 in the 59th minute, yet found themselves reeled in by a gutsy and tenacious showing from Galway.
Backed by the elements on a Tralee evening borrowed from winter, Kerry needed to construct a sizeable half-time advantage.
After 20 minutes, Galway would have been highly satisfied at trailing 1-4 to 1-2. Matthew Tierney, their outstanding early performer, had just broken clear on the right to stick the ball in a gap between goalkeeper Murphy and his left-hand upright.
That was a strong response by Galway to the concession a minute previously of a Keith Evans goal for Kerry. He finished the rebound after Tony Brosnan’s piledriver was blocked by Eamon McGrath, Galway counting the cost of Brian Cogger being stripped of possession in defence.
Crucially, Kerry won the last 15 minutes on the scoreboard by 1-6 to 0-1, the home fans in full voice as David Clifford spearheaded that charge by helping himself to 1-4. He swung over a pair of glorious two-pointers from play and palmed to the net in the 28th minute, Galway netminder McGrath spilling a high delivery that Dylan Casey hoofed towards the square.
Galway were staring at a ten-point deficit, yet were grateful for McGrath denying Joe O’Connor from finding the net with another fiercely-struck shot, while Tierney amassed 1-2 of their early 1-3 tally.
Kerry coped well with the conditions in the early phases of the second half, newcomers Cillian Trant and Evans getting in on the scoring act, as they surged 12 clear.
However, Galway never quit the challenge and a rollercoaster encounter contained decisive late twists and turns, before the teams finished even.
Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 1-6 (2 2pt play), Keith Evans 1-2, Cillian Trant 0-3, Micheál Burns 0-2, Dylan Casey 0-2, Tony Brosnan 0-1, Joe O’Connor 0-1.
Scorers for Galway: Matthew Tierney 1-4 (1 2pt free), Shane McGrath 0-5 (2 2pt play), John Maher 1-0, Cian Hernon 1-0, Oisin Mac Donnacha 0-2 (1 2pt play), Dylan McHugh 0-1, Finnian Ó Laoi 0-1, Daniel O’Flaherty 0-1.
Kerry
1. Shane Murphy (Dr Crokes)
2. Evan Looney (Dr Crokes), 3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue), 4. Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks)
5. Armin Heinrich (Austin Stacks), 6. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe), 7. Graham O’Sullivan (Dromid Peareses)
8. Joe O’Connor (Austin Stacks), 9. Liam Smith (Glenbeigh-Glencar)
10. Cillian Trant (St Senan’s), 11. Seán O’Shea (Kenmare – captain), 12. Micheál Burns (Dr Crokes)
13. Tony Brosnan (Dr Crokes), 14. David Clifford (Fossa), 15. Keith Evans (Keel)
Subs
Galway
16. Eamon McGrath (Claregalway)
2. Johnny McGrath (Caherlistrane), 7. Seán Kelly (Moycullen), 4. Jack Glynn (Claregalway)
17. Brian Cogger (Corofin), 19. Cian Hernon (Barna), 8. Kieran Molloy (Corofin)
18. Ryan Roche (Kilannin), 9. Matthew Tierney (Oughterard)
10. Shane McGrath (Dunmore McHales), 11. Ciaran Mulhearn (Mountbellew-Moylough), 12. John Maher (Salthitll-Knocknacarra – captain)
13. Fionn McDonagh (Moycullen), 14. Robert Finnerty (Salthill-Knocknacarra), 15. Oisín Mac Donnacha (Naomh Anna Leitir Móir)
Subs
Referee: Paul Faloon (Down)
*****
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All Square GAA Galway Kerry Tralee