Picture: John Reidy
AFTER the remarkable high of beating Laois last weekend, Kerry found Limerick a tougher nut to crack when the sides clashed in Division 1B of the National Hurling League at Killarney’s Fitzgerald Stadium this afternoon.
But full credit must go to Ciaran Carey’s gritty side who treated home supporters in the 1,600 attendance to a great performance – they looked the better side in the second half – before they eventually succumbed on a 1-15 to 1-19 scoreline.
Although Limerick notched 1-16 in the opening half, they managed just three points in the second as Kerry got stuck in and brought the game to their manager’s home county.
Michael O’Leary and the impressive John Egan has early Kerry scores before Limerick stepped on the gas and bagged 1-8 without reply to give them the advantage in difficult conditions.
Limerick increased their lead further before Mikey Boyle pounced for Kerry’s only goal but the visitors still enjoyed an emphatic 1-16 to 1-5 lead at half-time.
Kerry used the strong wind to their advantage on the resumption but, truth be told, they found scores hard to come by even thought they were creating plenty of chances and what they did convert was just that little bit too little too late.
Kerry: M Stackpoole; S Weir, B Murphy, K Carmody; D Collins, J Griffin, T Murnane; P Kelly (0-1), T Casey; S Nolan (0-4, frees), M O’Leary (0-2), C Harty (0-1); J Egan (0-2, frees), M Boyle (1-0), J Goulding (0-1).
Subs: J Conway for Nolan; P Lucid (0-1, free) for Goulding.
