LAST UPDATE | 29 Aug 2020

KERRY STAR DAVID Clifford was at the centre of the late drama tonight in Austin Stack Park as he hit a key late goal, one of the final points and was then shown a red card as defending champions East Kerry eventually reached this year’s county senior football semi-finals.

David Clifford protesting with referee Jonathan Griffin Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO

East Kerry survived a ferocious battle with another divisional outfit in St Kieran’s before prevailing 2-13 to 1-14.

They were trailing 1-13 to 1-10 until Clifford pounced for a crucial goal with five minutes left and even though St Kieran’s drew level soon after, it was the Kerry captain and his brother Paudie who hit the points to ensure East Kerry had two to spare at the final whistle.

But then Kerry’s brilliant attacker was shown a red card, reportedly for an off-the-ball offence, which leaves him potentially suspended for the semi-final stages.

David Clifford celebrates scoring a goal against St Kieran's Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO

David Clifford is shown a red card by referee Jonathan Griffin.

It all came from a game where East Kerry needed to battle against St Kieran’s. Paudie Clifford hit the opening goal of the game but the teams were tied, 1-4 to 0-7, at the interval before St Kieran’s made the running as James Walsh netted and there was impressive displays from the likes of Eddie Horan and Paul Walsh.

Earlier divisional team St Brendan’s ensured they back in the Kerry senior football semi-finals for the second successive year with county stars Jack Barry and Diarmuid O’Connor both hitting the net in their quarter-final win.

St Brendan’s ran out 2-17 to 1-9 winners over Killarney Legion in the opening quarter-final tie played at Austin Stack Park.

The opening quarter saw St Brendan’s surge ahead 0-6 to 0-2 as they built on last week’s opening round success over West Kerry. Then Kerry senior duo Barry and O’Connor both raised green flags to push them in front 2-7 to 0-6 by the interval.

Legion, who held on for a narrow triumph last Sunday over Kerins O’Rahilly’s, tried to rally in the second half with Jamie O’Sullivan grabbing a goal for them but they lost out in the end by 11 points.

Tomorrow’s quarter-final actions sees Dr Crokes take on Templenoe while Mid Kerry will meet Kenmare Shamrocks.

More to follow…