Kerry 3-15
Roscommon 0-14
Fintan O’Toole reports from Croke Park
KERRY BANGED IN three goals in the opening half in Croke Park this afternoon and in the process booked their place in an Allianz football league final for the first time since 2009.
That burst of goals pushed the Kingdom into an unassailable position in this semi-final and ensured Roscommon would not be able to repeat their win at a sodden Killarney back in February.
Kerry prised Roscommon’s defence apart in the first-half to plunder those three goals. Colm Cooper finished with composure and expertise to the net for the first in the 13th minute but all the plaudits went to Stephen O’Brien who scythed through the Roscommon rearguard.
High deliveries pumped in on top of the Roscommon defence caused serious damage thereafter. David Moran lobbed the ball towards the goal in the 28th minute and Donnchadh Walsh caught before planting the ball in the net. Despite the suspicion of over-carrying, the goal was awarded and Kerry were in front 2-6 to 0-4.
The third goal arrived before the interval. Darran O’Sullivan was quickest to react to the ball spilling loose after a high delivery and he finished neatly to the net with his right foot. As they possessed a 3-8 to 0-5 lead, Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s men could start thinking of a final place by the interval.
Kerry were far sharper in attack with Darran O’Sullivan crowned man-of-the-match while Paul Murphy again caught the eye with his performance. Kieran Donaghy and David Moran combined at midfield to offer Kerry a strong platform.
Roscommon’s forward got little joy out of the Kerry defence. Senan Kilbride and Cathal Cregg were both kept scoreless while Ciaran Murtagh’s 22nd minute point was Roscommon’s solitary score from play in the first-half.
In total Roscommon raised six white flags from play but half of those arrived in the closing minutes of the game and were notched by defenders Neil Collins (2) and Seanie McDermott.
Roscommon had a difficult task in the first-half playing into the Hill 16 end with a strong gale blowing into their faces. Their cause was not helped by Kerry producing some brilliant passages of play.
Kerry trailed 0-2 to 0-1 in the 6th minute before hitting 1-5 without reply. Marc Ó Sé struck one sublime point in that period with the outside of this boot.
Roscommon cut the deficit to 1-6 to 0-4 before shipping a brace of goals to leave them trailing 12 points at the break.
To Roscommon’s credit they did not fold in the second-half and indeed outscored their opponents by 0-9 to 0-7. However they could not get the goals they desperately needed and Kerry had a sufficient advantage built up to ease in to the final.
Scorers for Kerry: Colm Cooper 1-5 (0-5f), Darran O’Sullivan 1-4, Paul Murphy 0-2, Marc Ó Sé, Johnny Buckley, Brendan O’Sullivan, Barry John Keane 0-1 each.
Scorers for Roscommon: Ciaran Murtagh, Diarmuid Murtagh 0-4 (0-3f) each, Neil Collins 0-2, Sean McDermott, Conor Devaney, Donie Shine (0-1 ’45), Geoffrey Claffey (0-1 ’45) 0-1 each.
Kerry
1. Brian Kelly (Killarney Legion)
2. Marc Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht)
3. Mark Griffin (St Michaels/Foilmore)
4. Shane Enright (Tarbert)
6. Aidan O’Mahony (captain) (Rathmore)
5. Peter Crowley (Laune Rangers)
7. Fionn Fitzgerald (Dr Crokes)
8. Kieran Donaghy (Austin Stacks)
9. David Moran (Kerins O’Rahillys)
12. Donnchadh Walsh (Cromane)
11. Paul Murphy (Rathmore)
10. Johnny Buckley (Dr Crokes)
13. Darran O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh-Glencar)
14. Colm Cooper (Dr Crokes)
15. Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare)
Subs
17. Bryan Sheehan (St Mary’s) for Buckley (inj) (19)
18. Killian Young (Renard) for Fitzgerald (47)
19. Alan Fitzgerald (Castlegregory) for O’Brien (48)
21. Barry John Keane (Kerins O’Rahillys) for Walsh (54)
23. Brendan O’Sullivan (Valentia) for Moran (58)
20. Padraig O’Connor (Legion) for Crowley (62)
Roscommon
1. Geoffrey Claffey (Castlerea)
2. Sean Mc Dermott (Western Gaels)
3. Neil Collins (St Brigid’s, Castleknock)
4. Niall McInerney (St Brigids)
5. David Murray (Padraig Pearses)
6. Sean Purcell (Boyle)
7. Sean Mullooly (Strokestown)
8. Niall Daly (Padraig Pearses)
9. Cathal Shine (Clann na nGael)
10. Fintan Cregg (Elphin)
11. Ciaran Murtagh (c) (St Faithleachs)
12. Conor Devaney (Kilbride)
13. Diarmuid Murtagh (St Faithleachs)
14. Senan Kilbride (St. Brigid’s)
15. Cathal Cregg (Western Gaels)
Subs
19. Donie Shine (Clann na nGael) for Shine (half-time)
25. Ronan Stack (St Brigid’s) for Purcell (half-time)
18. David Keenan (St Barry’s) for Mullooly (47)
24. Ronan Daly (Padraig Pearses) for Devaney (56)
23. Niall Kilroy (Fuerty) for Cregg (56)
21. James McDermott (Roscommon Gaels) for Niall Daly (66)
Referee: Padraig Hughes (Armagh)
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