As ridiculous as it may seem, in many ways, a 28-point mauling was rather flattering for a Louth side that was completely outclassed and annihilated by a fired-up Kerry outfit that turned everything it touched into gold at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise this Sunday afternoon.
A sizeable Kerry contingent cheered on enthusiastically as Jack O’Connor’s charges went on a scoring binge to register a 5-24 to 0-11 victory with the bulk of Louth scores coming in the very late stages by which time Kerry had taken both feet off the pedals.
It was exceptionally difficult to determine just how good Kerry were or how bad Mickey Harte’s side actually was such was the emphatic nature of this victory and, surely, the Kerry selectors would have preferred a much sterner test as they step into the business end of the championship.
That said, they can only beat what’s in front of them and they achieved that in no uncertain terms with the brilliant Seanie O’Shea – back to his best – leading the way with a personal tally of 1-8, including three from frees and one from a mark.
David Clifford – it almost goes without saying – was right up there with him in the scoring stakes with a 2-4 contribution, including a clever spot kick which he smartly converted after delaying just long enough to see what way the goalkeeper was going to dive.
So dominant were Kerry that they could even afford the luxury of substituting their captain just in the off chance that he could pick up a strain or an injury that could spell disaster going forward.
Paudie Clifford also got among the goals with a 1-2 contribution while Tony Brosnan – a late call-up for Paul hamstring injury victim Paul Geaney – and Dara Moynihan both notched two.
Diarmuid O’Connor was magnificent at midfield, particularly in the first half, and not only did he and clubmate Jack Barry win the bulk of possession ball afternoon but O’Connor also got in on the scoring act with three well-executed points.
What will please Jack O’Connor most of all is that not only did five of his six starting forwards get on the scoresheet – the industrious Adrian Spillane being the exception – but two of the defenders also chipped in with Mike Breen making the most of his recall with a goal and Tom O’Sullivan – as he tends to do – contributing two points. Beaufort star Breen stepped in for Gavin White who reported a slight calf strain during the week.
Given the lack of gloss in their performances in the championship to date and an almost indifferent national league campaign, few expected Kerry to win their group and automatically qualify for the quarter-finals but with Cork surprising Mayo, that’s what transpired and the Kingdom can now prepare for a last eight outing.
The hoteliers, restaurateurs and publicans in Killarney might wonder what might have been if Kerry had a home quarter-final at Fitzgerald Stadium to look forward to but the only thing that really matters at this stage is that plans are still on track and Kerry remain on course for a tilt at making it a glorious two-in-a-row.
Kerry can now make the most of the two-week break before their next championship engagement and that, in many ways, is ideal rather than facing a potential banana skin in Killarney next weekend. The venue for the quarter-final is almost certainly to be Croke Park and that, as Kerry supporters know only too well,is where football dreams are realised.
Kerry scorers: Seanie O’Shea 1-8 (0-3 frees, 0-1 mark); David Clifford 2-4 (1-0 penalty, 0-1 mark); Paudie Clifford 1-2; Diarmuid O’Connor 0-3; Tony Brosnan 0-3 (0-1 mark); Mike Breen 1-0; Dara Moynihan 0-2; Tom O’Sullivan 0-2.
Kerry: Shane Ryan, Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Tom O’Sullivan, Graham O’Sullivan, Tadhg Morley, Mike Breen, Diarmuid O’Connor, Jack Barry, Dara Moynihan, Seanie O’Shea, Adrian Spillane, Paudie Clifford, David Clifford, Tony Brosnan.
Subs: Brian Ó Beaglaioch for Breen; Barry Dan O’Sullivan for Barry; Stephen O’Brien for Spillane; Ruairi Murphy for Moynihan; Micheál Burns for D Clifford.
Be wise – advertise where it will be seen. Email: news@killarneytoday.com or Call 087-2229761
