Kerry 2-14
Tipperary 1-11
Fintan O’Toole reports from Fitzgerald Stadium
1-5 FROM STAR forward Conor Geaney inspired Kerry to victory over Tipperary in today’s Electric Ireland Munster minor football final in Killarney.
Geaney and Cormac Linnane bagged first-half goals for the Kingdom to set Jack O’Connor’s charges en route to victory as they lead 2-8 to 0-6 at the interval.
Dingle club man Geaney pounced in the 9th minute when he rolled the ball to the net after a neat move involving Michael Foley and Stephen O’Sullivan.
Then in the 14th minute Geaney was the creator when he cut in along the left wing and played in Linnane with the Beale youngster finishing clinically to the net.
Kerry’s attacking movement was too much for Tipperary to handle in the opening quarter as they raced ahead by 2-6 to 0-3.
Austin Stacks Jack Morgan played the role of sweeper perfectly in defence while Kerry’s tackling all over the pitch was first-rate.
Tipperary rallied before half-time through wing-forward Aidan Buckley and Alan Tynan – a Leinster schools rugby cup winner this year – to come within eight points at the interval.
The second-half saw Kerry up the ante once more with Jason Foley, Morgan, captain Mark O’Connor and Geaney all showing the signs of excellence that point to promising future careers.
They were in front 2-12 to 0-7 entering the final quarter and had ensured the cup would be staying in the Kingdom by that stage.
Tipperary enjoyed a brief late positive sell with Aidan Buckley bagging a goal to ensure they were six points adrift at the final whistle.
Scorers for Kerry: Conor Geaney 1-5 (0-1f), Cormac Linnane 1-1 (0-1f), Michael Foley, Sean O’Shea (0-1f) 0-2 each, Jack Morgan, Gavin White, Bryan Sweeney, Stephen O’Sullivan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Tipperary: Aidan Buckley 1-2, Alan Tynan 0-3 (0-2f), Jack Kennedy (0-1f), Brendan Martin 0-2 each, Danny Owens, Mark Kehoe 0-1 each.
Kerry
1. Billy Courtney (Dr. Crokes)
2. Darren Brosnan (Gneeveguilla)
3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue)
4. Jack Morgan (Austin Stacks)
5. Gavin White (Dr Crokes)
6. Mike Breen (Beaufort)
7. Daniel O’Brien (Glenflesk)
8. Mark O’Connor (c) (Dingle)
9. Andrew Barry (Na Gaeil)
10. Brian Ó Seanacháin (Ballydonoghue)
11. Cormac Linnane (Beale)
12. Sean O’Shea (Kenmare)
13. Stephen O’Sullivan (Templenoe)
14. Michael Foley (Spa)
15. Conor Geaney (Dingle)
Subs
17. Bryan Sweeney (Listowel Emmetts) for Linnane (inj) (29)
20. Ronan Buckley (Listry) for Ó Seanacháin (42)
19. Dara O’Shea (Kenmare) for Breen (50)
22. Brandon Barrett (Ardfert) for Sean O’Shea (55)
23. Jack Goulding (Ballyduff) for O’Sullivan (55)
Tipperary
1. Charlie Manton (Fethard)
4. Tommy Lowry (Arravale Rovers)
3. Morgan Irwin (Moyle Rovers)
2. Tadhg Fitzgerald (Moyle Rovers)
13. Shane Power (Galtee Rovers)
7. Jack Skehan (Holycross Ballycahill)
5. Liam Fahy (Rockwell Rovers)
8. Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials)
9. Tommy Nolan (Drom & Inch)
10. Aidan Buckley (St Patrick’s)
11. Brian McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney)
12. Emmett Moloney (Drom & Inch)
6. Danny Owens (Capt) (Moyle Rovers)
14. Alan Tynan (Inane Rovers)
15. Brendan Martin (Kilsheelan Kilcash)
Subs
24. Gavin Whelan (Ardfinnan) for Lowry (17)
17. Jamie Bergin (Drom & Inch) for Moloney (24)
21. Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) for Fahy (half-time)
23. Ross Peters (Clonmel Commercials) for Moloney (45)
22. Jordan Moloney (JK Brackens) for Skehan (54)
Referee: Kevin Murphy (Cork)
