Picture source: Fitzgerald Stadium/Kerry GAA Twitter
A REAL humdinger awaited fans that arrived early at Fitzgerald Stadium today to witness the slick Kerry minors retain their crown with a six-point victory over Cork in a pulsating decider.
In many ways it was a game that had everything, with a total of six goals and 22 points shared between the great rivals on a wonderful day for football in the most spectacular venue in the country on a sunshine Sunday.
It was a game that looked as if it could have gone either way until the latter stages when Kerry’s class finally shone through and they pulled clear when it mattered most.
That was thanks mainly to man-of-the-match David Clifford of Fossa and captain Sean O’Shea from Kenmare who are two of the most exciting and exceptional young footballing talents in the country.
Peter Keane’s side got off to a great start with a brace of points from O’Shea and another from Spa livewire Dara Moynihan followed by a goal from the former who had been set up brilliantly by Clifford.
Points from Brian Friel and Clifford eased Kerry a 2-7 to 1-6 half-time lead –Cork’s goal coming from the outstanding Mark Buckley after 24 minutes – but the home side was rocked right at the start of the second half when Buckley pounced for his second goal.
Great play from the powerful Mike Breen and Mark Ryan at midfield and the opportunism of Clifford, O’Shea and Moynihan in attack soon had Kerry back in control but Cork took a lead they scarcely deserved after 16 minutes when Colm Buckley found the net to leave it 3-7 to 2-9 in their favour.
However a 1-1 salvo from Fossa ace Clifford soon had the All-Ireland champions back in charge of the gear stick and a succession of great scores, from O’Shea, Clifford (two) and impressive Michael Foley helped Kerry to a 3-14 to 3-8 victory.
A September Sunday in Croker looks assured for this superb group of footballers.
Kerry scorers: D Clifford 1-5 (0-2 frees), S O’Shea 1-4 (0-2 frees, 0-1 45), B Sweeney 1-0, D Moynihan 0-2, M Foley 0-2, B Friel 0-1.
Kerry: B.Courtney (Dr Crokes), G O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses), N Collins (Listowel Emmets), M Reidy (Ballymacelligott), M Potts (Dr Crokes), M Foley (Ballydonoghue), D O’Brien (Glenflesk), M Breen (Beaufort), M Ryan (Rathmore), D O’Connor (Na Gaeil), S O’Shea (Kenmare), D.Moynihan (Spa), B Friel (Rathmore), D Clifford (Fossa), B Sweeney (Listowel Emmets).
Subs: D Naughton (Dr Crokes) for Reidy; C Linnane (Beale) for Sweeney; D Shaw (Dr Crokes) for Friel; C Teahan (Glenbeigh-Glencar) for Ryan; F O’Brien (Austin Stacks) for O’Connor.
