Kerry 4-14
Tipperary 0-6

Fintan O’Toole reports from Croke Park

FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT the Kerry football production lines are in perfect working order came today in Croke Park as they cruised past Tipperary to lift the All-Ireland minor football title.

It was the second successive year that Jack O’Connor guided a batch of Kingdom minors to September glory.

The latest feat was all the more impressive as today’s captain Mark O’Connor was the only survivor from the starting side that saw off Donegal last year.

Tipperary entered the game on the back of impressive form in the All-Ireland series and armed with high hopes of turning the tables on a Kerry team who conquered them in July’s Munster final by six points.

Kerry minor manager Jack O'Connor celebrates victory at the final whistle. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Instead Kerry turned on the style from the off and essentially had put this game to bed at the break when they were ahead 2-8 to 0-4.

The goals were hammer blows for Tipperary. Bryan Sweeney smashed home the first in the 20th minute for Kerry after being placed by Sean O’Shea while Conor Geaney clinically converted a penalty then before the break after being fouled himself.

Kerry didn’t ease off after the break with Michael Foley flicking home the third goal in the 40th minute after great approach play from Brandon Barrett.

Three minutes later the fourth goal was registered by Kerry with Geaney again despatching a penalty following a foul on Foley.

It was a tough day at the office for Tipperary. They shipped the opening four points of the game but managed to gain a foothold through scores from Tommy Nolan and Alan Tynan to trail 0-4 to 0-2 after the opening quarter.

Tipperary players wear black arm bands in memory of Eddie Connolly who passed away this week. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Then Kerry claimed complete control. Their defence wrapped up Tipperary’s attack with Nolan and Tynan the only consistent scoring outlets. Jason Foley was exceptional at full-back for Kerry, maintaining the high standards he has set throughout 2015.

Captain O’Connor was back from injury to rule the skies at midfield while in attack Geaney, O’Shea and Sweeney constantly threatened.

Kerry were ahead 4-10 to 0-6 entering the final quarter and the game petered out to it’s inevitable conclusion from there.

Substitutes James Duggan and Stephen O’Sullivan got in on the scoring act as Kerry ran out 20-point victors to life the Tom Markham Cup once more.

Brian McGrath is tackled by the Kerry defence. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Scorers for Kerry: Conor Geaney 2-4 (2-0 pen, 0-2f), Bryan Sweeney 1-1, Michael Foley 1-0, Sean O’Shea (0-1f), James Duggan 0-2 each, Stephen O’Sullivan, John Mark Foley, Brian Ó Seanacháin, Brandon Barrett, Mark O’Connor 0-1 each.

Scorers for Tipperary: Alan Tynan 0-3, Tommy Nolan 0-2, Jack Kennedy 0-1 (0-1 ’45).

Kerry captain Mark O'Connor lifts the cup. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Kerry

1. Billy Courtney (Dr Crokes)

2. Darren Brosnan (Gneeveguilla)
3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue)
4. Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle)

5. Jack Morgan (Austin Stacks)
6. Andrew Barry (Na Gaeil)
7. Gavin White (Dr Crokes)

8. Mark O’Connor (Dingle – captain)
9. John Mark Foley (Kilgarvan)

10. Brian Ó’Seanacháin (Ballydonoghue)
11. Sean O’Shea (Kenmare)
12. Brandon Barrett (Ardfert)

13. Michael Foley (Spa)
14. Bryan Sweeney (Listowel Emmets)
15. Conor Geaney (Dingle)

Subs
19. Stephen O’Sullivan (Templenoe) for Barrett (40)
21. James Duggan (John Mitchels) for Michael Foley (46)
17. Mike Breen (Beaufort) for John Mark Foley (46)
18. Daniel O’Brien (Glenflesk) for O’Sullivan (46)
20. Dara O’Shea (Kenmare) for Brosnan (53)
22. Graham O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses) for Morgan (53)

Tipperary

1. Charlie Manton (Fethard)

4. Tommy Lowry (Arravale Rovers)
3. Jack Skehan (Holycross Ballycahill)
2. Tadhg Fitzgerald (Moyle Rovers)

5. Danny Owens Capt. (Moyle Rovers)
6. Liam Fahy (Rockwell Rovers)
7. Emmet Moloney (Drom & Inch)

8. Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials)
9. Tommy Nolan (Drom & Inch)

10. Aidan Buckley (St. Patricks)
11. Alan Tynan (Inane Rovers)
12. Colin English (Fr. Sheehys)

14. Brian McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney)
13. Stephen Quirke (Moyle Rovers)
15. Brendan Martin (Kilsheelan Kilcash)

Subs
18. Jamie Bergin (Drom-Inch) for English (half-time)
17. Ross Peters (Clonmel Commercials) for Buckley (half-time)
19. Morgan Irwin (Moyle Rovers) for Fitzgerald (black card) (44)
21. Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) for McGrath (46)
23. Conor Cashman (Cahir) for Martin (56)

Referee: David Gough (Meath)

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