Classy Kerry knock Limerick out of Munster minor football championship:
John Keogh Limerick Leader Sport
LIMERICK are out of the Munster MFC at the semi-final stage following a comprehensive 1-19 to 1-2 defeat to Kerry in Newcastle West.
The Limerick side were just two points down at the break after a tight opening half hour but Kerry were the dominant side in the second half.
Limerick got the first score of the game with a ’45 from keeper Sam Guerin. John Ryan’s side were living off scraps in the opening half hour but it took time for Kerry to get into their stride.
The Kingdom had four wides kicked before the finally got on the scoreboard through full forward Dara Hogan that levelled the game for the first time.
Limerick were back ahead moments later when Adam Murphy’s delivery from the right wing was taken in by Padraic Murphy and the half forward turned his man, before delivering a low finish past Kerry keeper James Hoare.
Kerry were swift in their response with Paddy Lane kicking two points in the space of a minute to put one between the sides with 22 minutes played.
It was soon back to a level game when Darragh O’Keeffe went in on goal but his shot for goal went just over the bar. However, Kerry finished the half stronger with two Lane efforts seeing them to a 0-6 to 1-1 advantage.
Kerry were quick off the mark at the beginning of the second half with Ben Murphy coming up from full back and a fifth from Lane putting them four points to the good.
Lane and Evan Boyle then stretched that to six points, before Limerick were reduced to 14 players after their captain Aidan O’Shea was sent off following a second yellow card.
Kerry immediately took advantage with Lane and substitute Stephen Gannon helping them to a 0-11 to 1-1 lead with 41 minutes on the clock.
That trended continued in the remainder of the game with Kerry picking off scores at will with Gannon adding another four points, while Lane continued his impressive showing, before he was called ashore on 48 minutes.
Kerry then put the cherry on top in added time when Hogan ghosted through the Limerick defence and fired a bullet past Guerin to seal a 17-point winning margin.
Scorers – Limerick: Padraic Murphy 1-0, Sam Guerin (’45) and Eoghan Beston 0-1 each.
Scorers – Kerry: Paddy Lane 0-7 (2 frees), Dara Hogan 1-3 (1 free), Stephen Gannon 0-5, Darragh O’Keeffe, Ben Murphy, Evan Boyle and James Hoare (’45) 0-1 each.
LIMERICK: Sam Guerin (Kildimo-Pallaskenry); Cian O’Sullivan (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), Callum Buckley (Athea), Cian Costelloe (Cappagh-Rathkeale); Liam Óg Glynn (Ahane), Cathal Woulfe (Fr Caseys), Kieran O’Kelly (Croom); Aidan O’Shea (Cappagh-Rathkeale), Evan Curry (Athea); Andrew Lyons (Newcastle West), Darragh Hogan (Mungret St Pauls), Padraic Phelan (Pallasgreen); Adam Murphy (Fr Caseys), Padraic Murphy (Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan); Tommy Glynn (Na Piarsaigh).
Subs: Eoghan Beston (Galbally) for Hogan (h-t), Cillian Meade (St Senans) for Buckley (33 mins, inj), Ronan O’Connell (Fr Caseys) for Lyons (36 mins), Rory Mullins (Mungret St Pauls) for O’Kelly (48 mins), Ross Allen (Kildimo-Pallaskenry) for Óg Glynn (56 mins),
KERRY: James Hoare (Dingle); David Mulvihill (Tarbert), Ben Murphy (Austin Stacks), Isaac Brosnan (Castleisland Desmonds); Pádraig Moynihan (Rathmore), Keelan O’Shea (Kilcummin), Gearoid Evans (Keel); Evan Boyle (Ballyduff), Daniel Kirby (Austin Stacks); Darragh O’Keeffe (Moyvane), Tomas Kennedy (Kerins O’Rahillys), Sean O Quinn (An Ghaeltacht); Aaron Carey (Listowel Emmets), Dara Hogan (Milltown-Castlemaine), Paddy Lane (Austin Stacks).
Subs: Stephen Gannon (Laune Rangers) for Carey (36 mins), Jamie Moynihan (Glenflesk) for Moynihan (45 mins), Ronan Carroll (Austin Stacks) for Lane (48 mins), Cian O’Connor (Rathmore) for Mulvihill (52 mins), Pa Walsh (Listowel Emmets) for Kennedy (56 mins),
REFEREE: James O’Regan (Cork)