Kerry 3-17
Tipperary 2-10
EVEN seasoned observers struggled a little when attempting to properly analyse Kerry’s performance against Tipperary in Fitzgerald Stadium this afternoon but a win is a win and Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s season game plan remains very much on course as the Kingdom made it four-in-a-row in Munster.
Those arguing that the home defence was caught napping when leaking two goals, against Division 3 opposition, should ponder, for a moment, on the plight of Cork and realise that’s it’s better to have something to work on than having to spend your time licking a gaping championship wound.
Kerry’s performance was workmanlike, efficient, very impressive at times and occasionally a little lethargic but a 10-point winning margin is a good day in the park, whatever the circumstances.
Sure, there were moments that caused a little alarm, particularly in the opening minute when Jimmy Feehan beat Brian Kelly and again when Robbie Kiely did likewise after 50 minutes but chances are always going to present themselves in a Munster final, whatever gulf in class might exist between the two sides.
Kerry recovered well from that instant tonic goal for Tipp and with Paul Geaney back to his championship best, with a haul of 2-3 in a man-of-the-match performance, they soon flexed their muscle and pulled clear.
If Geaney was the star man then he had able deputies in Paul Murphy – the other goalscorer – Donnchadh Walsh, Shane Enright, Killian Young and the tenacious Stephen O’Brien who all have cause to be happy with their game.
And happy was certainly an emotion experienced by Kerry supporters after 57 minutes when James O’Donoghue was called from the stand to make his first Kerry appearance since last year’s All-Ireland final. True to form, he marked the occasion with four sweet points, just like he had never been away.
On a more negative note was the injury suffered by Colm Cooper who appeared to damage a shoulder when he was bundled to the ground and he had to leave the field of play, in obvious distress, after just 20 minutes with Mikey Geaney taking his place.
Tipperary were awkward opponents in that they worked hard, tackled fiercely and never gave up hope but their shortcomings on the offensive were blatant and they were really outclassed before a crowd of 21,512 at a sun-kissed Fitzgerald Stadium.
Kerry scorers: Paul Geaney 2-3, Paul Murphy 1-1, James O’Donoghue 0-4 (0-3 frees), Bryan Sheehan 0-4 (frees), Killian Young 0-1, Darran O’Sullivan 0-1, Barry John Keane 0-1, Mikey Geaney 0-1, Stephen O’Brien 0-1.
Tipperary scorers: Kevin O’Halloran 0-6 (0-5 frees), Jimmy Feehan 1-0, Robbie Kiely 1-0 each, Michael Quinlivan 0-3 (0-2 frees), Alan Moloney 0-1.
Kerry: Brian Kelly, Shane Enright, Mark Griffin, Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Aidan O’Mahony, Killian Young, Tadhg Morley, Kieran Donaghy, Bryan Sheehan, Donnchadh Walsh, Colm Cooper, Paul Murphy, Darran O’Sullivan, Paul Geaney, Stephen O’Brien.
Subs: Mikey Geaney for Cooper (inj); David Moran for Donaghy; Jonathan Lyne for Ó Beaglaoich; Barry John Keane for O’Sullivan; James O’Donoghue for O’Brien; Anthony Maher for Sheehan,
