THERE’LL BE KERRY and Mayo battles in store on the All-Ireland club football final stage at Croke Park next month.
That was the outcome after today’s AIB All-Ireland intermediate and junior football semi-finals.
Five years after they won the All-Ireland club junior title, Kerry’s St Mary’s reached the intermediate decider after they thrashed Meath’s Ratoath by 2-20 to 1-5 at the Gaelic Grounds.
Kerry legend Maurice Fitzgerald will get to manage in an All-Ireland final at Croke Park after years of playing exploits at the stadium.
His team were far too strong in today’s last four clash, leading 2-10 to 0-4 at the break thanks to goals from Sean Cournane and Niall O’Driscoll. Ratoath did grab a late consolation goal through Cian O’Brien.
The Caherciveen club’s opponents will be Mayo’s Hollymount-Carramore after their 0-15 to 0-10 victory over Down’s Loughinisland at Kingspan Breffni Park.
In the junior final, Kerry’s Templenoe will contest the showpiece after a 1-9 to 0-5 win against Meath’s Curraha today in Kilmallock.
Brian Crowley’s first-half goal from the penalty spot was a crucial score in providing Templenoe with a cushion on the scoreboard.
Their opponents will be Mayo’s Ardnaree Sarsfields, victors by 0-11 to 0-6 today against Monaghan’s Rockcorry in Carrick-on-Shannon.
The finals will take place on Saturday 6 February.
