Kerry 2-13 Donegal 2-11
Kerry battled to a 2-13 to 2-11 Allianz FL Division 1 victory over Donegal at Tralee that puts them right in the mix to qualify for the Division 1 semi-finals.
An attendance of 6,250 spectators were kept on the edge of their seats right to the end as the game swung back and forward throughout.
Kerry, thanks to the midfield dominance of Anthony Maher, David Moran and Johnny Buckley, enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the opening half but Donegal’s defensive strategy was kept early scoring opportunities to a minimum.
Initially Donegal’s Paddy McBrearty and Michael Murphy troubled the Kerry full-back line but some sterling work by Peter Crowley ensured that damage was limited.
Kerry can thank their ace marksman Bryan Sheehan for their first half lead, as he opened up with two points, one a free after Kieran Donaghy was fouled and the other a ’45. Points from McBrearty and a Michael Murphy free kept Donegal in touch.
The Kingdom went in front from a Sheehan point from play, but were rocked in the 10th minute when a Donegal move involving the two McFadden’s, Michael Murphy and Martin O’Reilly sent Ryan McHugh through and he made no mistake in drilling the ball low to the Kerry net.
Donegal did not score for another 13 minutes as Kerry dominated possession with Jonathan Lyne and Stephen O’Brien making some darting runs and points from Paul Geaney, Barry John Keane, David Moran and another Sheehan free saw Kerry jump 0-7 to 1-2 in front.
However, Donegal with their usual work ethic claimed a point in the 23rd minute from Hugh McFadden before Sheehan replied with another long range free.
It was clear that Sheehan was struggling with a rib injury which was a major worry for Kerry but it didn’t stop him punching this side's ninth point after good approach work from Donaghy and Stephen O’Brien.
Donegal finished the half the stronger with a free from Murphy and a point from Martin McElhinney and as matters became heated in the final seconds, referee Rory Hickey called a halt to the opening half with Kerry leading by the minimum 0-9 to 1-5. However they were clearly unhappy with a dangerous challenge by Michael Murphy on Jonathan Lyne which the referee felt did not even merit a card.
Donegal made the early running in the second half and three unanswered points saw them move 1-8 to 0-9 in front after five minutes as Kerry kicked some poor wides early on.
However, Moran and Maher re-established their grip on midfield and with Alan Fitzgerald coming off the bench to kick a point before a Barry John Keane goal in the 45th minute and a fine score from Paul Geaney gave Kerry a two-point advantage.
Donegal continued to create chances but spurned points as they kicked three bad wides in succession.
The crucial moment came in the 64th minute when Kerry substitute Paul O’Donoghue was taken down inside the square and David Moran dispatched the penalty to put five points between the sides.
The Kingdom suffered a late scare as Donegal won a penalty when Colm McFadden was fouled on the way to goal but Michael Murphy’s goal was too little too late as the All-Ireland champions left last week’s feeble effort against Cork behind them.
Kerry: B Kealy; P Kilkenny, M Griffin, P Murphy; J Lyne, P Crowley, K Young; A Maher, D Moran; S O’Brien, B Sheehan, J Buckley; P Geaney, K Donaghy, BJ Keane.
Subs: A Fitzgerald for Sheehan (HT, inj), S Enright for Kilkenny (47), T Walsh for Geaney (54), P O’Donoghue for Keane (63), F Fitzgerald for P Crowley (66), K O’Leary for Buckley (68).
Donegal: P Durcan; P McGrath, E McGee, N McGee; K Lacey, R McHugh, E Doherty; H McFadden, N Gallagher; M McHugh, M McElhinney, C Toye; M O’Reilly, M Murphy, P McBrearty.
Subs: C McFadden for McElhinney (HT), A Thompson for Doherty (56), M McElhinney for H McFadden (63, inj), E McMugh for O’Reilly (66), G McFadden for M McHugh (70). D McLaughlin for Toye (70).
Referee: R Hickey (Clare)
