KERRY face old rivals Cork next weekend on the back of a four-match winning streak which has eased them to within a point of the semi-finals of the National Football League.
Despite a shaky start to the current campaign, losing their opening three games, a super run has propelled them right back in the spotlight and a place in the penultimate stages of the competition would be the deserved reward for their tenacity and craftsmanship.
They now face the Leesiders at Austin Stack Park next weekend and a win or a draw will see them safely through to the last four.
Today’s 1-17 to 1-9 victory over Monaghan at St Tiernach’s Park, Clones made the long road trip for the dedicated Kerry Supporters’ Club very worthwhile and, in truth, Kerry were very good value for this eight-point win.
Alan Fitzgerald, back after suspension and introduced from the bench in place of Stephen O’Brien, late in the first half, was the unlikely hero on a day Eamonn Fitzgerald almost had a full squad from which to choose. The Castlegregory attacker certainly earned his jersey with a powerful all-round display which included four points, three from play.
It was wonderful too to see Colm Cooper stamping his authority on the game, booting over six points as he took over free-taking duties from injured skipper Bryan Sheehan. It was encouraging also to see Paul Geaney back in action – he came on in place of Gooch – for the first time since last year’s All-Ireland final.
To be frank, it seems rather unfair to single out particular Kerry players for praise as this was a great team display with the all-Tralee midfield pairing of Kieran Donaghy and David Moran doing very well.
Killarney’s Johnny Buckley showed great bravery in the tackle and astuteness on the attack, Darran continues to shine in one of his best seasons in years and the likes of Peter Crowley, Marc Ó Sé, Fionn Fitzgerald and even full back Mark Griffin surging forward at every available opportunity made it a great combined effort.
The sides were all square at 0-6 each at half-time, but a six-point scoring spree by the Kingdom early in the second period, was the real difference between the sides, Cooper, Fitzgerald and Donaghy doing most of the damage.
In fact Fitzmaurice’s men outscored Monaghan 1-11 to 1-7 in that second half and that, in a nutshell, tells the story of the game.
A rather fortunate Darran Hughes goal for Monaghan threatened to rock the unsteady the Kerry shop late in the second half but, within minutes, that was cancelled out when Paul Murphy – lively at centre forward – was upended and David Moran calmly converted the resultant spot-kick. Barry John Keane, another sub, sealed the tie with two late points.
Rathmore’s Aidan O’Mahony was Kerry captain on the day and, needless to say, he led by example as one has come to expect from a great warrior clad in green and gold.
Bring on the Rebels.
Kerry scorers: Colm Cooper 0-6 (0-4 frees); Alan Fitzgerald (0-4, 0-1 free); David Moran 1-1 (pen); Kieran Donaghy 0-2; Barry John Keane 0-2; Darran O’Sullivan 0-1; Paul Murphy 0-1
Kerry: Brian Kelly, Marc Ó Sé, Mark Griffin, Shane Enright, Peter Crowley, Aidan O’Mahony, Fionn Fitzgerald, Kieran Donaghy, David Moran, Johnny Buckley, Paul Murphy, Donnchadh Walsh, Darran O’Sullivan, Colm Cooper, Stephen O’Brien.
Subs: Alan Fitzgerald for O’Brien; Killian Young for Crowley; Barry John Keane for Darran O’Sullivan; Brendan O’Sullivan for Buckley; Paul Geaney for Cooper; Aidan Walsh for Donnchadh Walsh.
