HE wasn’t even listed to start but Spa dynamo Dara Moynihan was outstanding as Kerry got Peter Keane’s reign as senior manager off to a winning start with an 0-11 to 0-7 victory over Tyrone on a bitterly cold afternoon in Fitzgerald Stadium, Killanrey.
The lively attacker kicked two timely points but his overall work rate was most impressive and he was certainly one of the better Kerry players on view in a uncompromising, tough encounter on a day when victory had to be chiselled out rather that achieved in any stylish manner.
The fact that Kerry held Tyrone to a solitary point – from a free – in the first half and ensured the northerners has to work tenaciously for every ball they won is an indication of the behind closed doors work Kerry have been doing with defensive formations and that was perhaps the most encouraging factor for Kerry supporters in the official attendance of 12,931.
James O’Donoghue – whose grandmother passed away on Saturday – didn’t start and Michael Geaney, who had been listed to play, was replaced by Diarmuid O’Connor. Former minor and under 20 star Moynihan, who came in for O’Donoghue, certainly proved that he is more than ready to step up to the senior grade.
Kerry led 0-5 to 0-1 at the break with Sean O’Shea doing most of the damage from placed balls and, to be honest, Tyrone never looked like they were going to cause any threat as they looked well off the pace and devoid of any apparent game plan.
Although they found it tougher in the second half, Kerry always had that edge and the most glorious moment of the game was a delightfully struck Sean O’Shea free from way out on the sideline which even had the mater himself Maurice Fitzgerald grasping for superlatives.
The impressive O’Shea, in fact, kicked six of Kerry’s 11 points, drive from play, with the other scores coming from the aforementioned Moynihan (two), wing back Tom O’Sulliban, Jack Barry and substitute Mikey Geaney.
Barry and Adrian Spillane did the business at midfield, Paul Murphy Brian Ó Beaglaioch and Tom O’Sullivan were in fine form in defence and Jonathan Lyne and Diarmuid O’Connor did well alongside Moynihan in attack.
So Peter Keane has got his tenure as Kerry senior manager off to a wonderful winning start and they will be hoping to maintain that form when they travel to Cavan next weekend before entertaining the Dubs in Tralee the week after that.
Kerry scorers: Sean O’Shea 0-6 (0-5 frees), Dara Moynihan 0-2, Tom O’Sullivan 0-1, Jack Barry 0-1, Mikcey Geaney 0-1.
Tyrone scorers: Darren McCurry 0-4 (frees) Niall Motgan 0-1 (free), Peter Harte 0-1, Mattie Donnelly 0-1.
Kerry: Shane Ryan, Peter Crowley, Jack Sherwood, Brian Ó Beaglaioch, Tadhg Morley, Paul Murphy (captain), Tom O’Sullivan, Jack Barry, Adrian Spillane, Jonathan Lyne, Sean O’Shea, Stephen O’Brien, Diarmuid O’Connor, Paul Geaney, Dara Moynihan.
Subs: Gavin Crowley for Tadhg Morley; Gavin O’Brien for Paul Geaney; Mikey Geaney for Jonathan Lyne; Killian Spillane for Stephen O’Brien.
Tyrone: Niall Morgan, Liam Rafferty, Ronan McNamee, Hugh Pat McGeary, Tiernan McCann, Rory Brennan, Michael McKernan, Brian Kennedy, Declan McClure, Mattie Donnelly, Peter Harte, Niall Sludden, Darren McCurry, David Mulgrew, Cathal McShane.
Subs: Darragh Canavan for Niall Sludden; Kyle Coney for David Mulgrew; Kieran McGeary for Liam Rafferty; Conor Meyler for Hugh Pat McGeary.
Referee: David Gough (Meath).
© KillarneyToday.com: We have changed the face of local news coverage
Advertise with Kerry’s premier news source: Over 300,000 views every month. Over 20,000 followers on Facebook. Call 087-2229761
