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Mixed emotions for Jack O'Connor and Pádraic Joyce after Tralee thriller

Updated / Sunday, 15 Feb 2026 07:56
Galway's Johnny McGrath shakes hands with Kerry's David Clifford following the draw in Tralee
Galway's Johnny McGrath (L) shakes hands with Kerry's David Clifford following the draw in Tralee

A draw can be a difficult result to assess, and that was certainly the case for Kerry and Galway at a wind-swept Austin Stack Park in Tralee on Saturday evening.

The All-Ireland SFC champions hit a scoring purple patch during the first half of this Allianz Football League clash as individual errors cost the Tribesmen dearly, Jack O'Connor’s side retiring to the dressing room with a healthy 10-point lead.

Despite playing with the breeze at their backs upon the resumption, Pádraic Joyce’s men made little inroads on the scoreboard as the Kingdom looked to be easing to victory and a second Division 1 win of the campaign.

Yet the game was turned on its head in the final quarter when goals from Cian Hernon and Johnny Maher, and a pair of two-pointers from Shane McGrath, ensured the visitors left with an unlikely share of the spoils.

For both managers, the result left plenty of food for thought, especially for Joyce who once again saw his side rally to fight back from a significant deficit just like they did in their win over Armagh in Round 2.

"From where we were, 10 points down with 17 minutes to go, it wasn’t looking great, but we got a draw out of it," Joyce, who confirmed Paul Conroy's return, told RTÉ Sport.

"We’d be very disappointed how we played overall. In the first half, we just couldn’t hold on to the ball up front. We gifted Kerry 2-04 out of their first-half score.

"It’s something we have done in our previous two games (defeat to Mayo and victory over Armagh) and we have tried to rectify it today (Saturday), but we didn’t, but I’ve said it before, the heart and character in this group is outrageous.

"We lost a couple of lads during the week with injury, lost Liam Silke just before the off, Dylan McHugh wasn’t fit to play, so down huge experience but the young lads gained great experience here tonight."

His Kerry counterpart O’Connor was left to rue a faltering finish.

"It was disappointing," he said afterwards. "There was one stage in the second half where we were 12 points up, and you’d think we’d see it home. We turned over a few balls that were crucial."

The Kerry manager felt there was a foul on Tony Brosnan in the lead-up to Galway’s third goal, but admitted it could have been even worse.

"Give credit to Galway, they fought hard and kept at it. In the end we could have lost it. We had a chance at the end to win it, but it wasn’t to be."

Galway wing-forward McGrath’s first two-pointer brought the deficit back to five points coming down the stretch, but his second was the final score of the game, a kick from outside the arc that was pushed over by Kerry goalkeeper Shane Murphy.

Joyce namechecked captain John Maher, Hernon and substitute Charlie Power for special praise, but was particularly pleased for McGrath who scooped the player of the match accolade.

"He was outstanding for us tonight," he said. "He was in the panel a couple of years ago. He went away, got himself in great shape with the club (Dunmore MacHales) and he did really well tonight."

In a significant boost for Galway, Joyce confirmed that 2024 Footballer of the Year Conroy will be part of the panel after speculation that the St James’ man would step away from the inter-county scene.

"Paul came back training last week. He’s committed to the year, but he has a bit of work to do."

Watch Allianz League Sunday from 9.35pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on all matches on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1

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