Kerry came out victorious over Limerick in an enthralling McGrath Cup Final that went to extra time at the Gaelic Grounds.
Conor Geaney proved to be the super sub for Kerry as he scored 1-02 after being introduced with five minutes left of normal time.
Limerick had clawed back a five-point half time deficit to force extra time but Kerry had too much at the end and won out on a score of 3-13 to 2-12.
The Kingdom made the brighter start to the game and led by three points with 25 minutes on the clock.
David Moran then found the net for Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s side and it looked at that stage that Kerry were set for a comfortable afternoon.
Limerick fought back gallantly in the second half and scored 1-03 without reply to level the game. Seamus O’Carroll clinically finished past Brendan Kealy after elegantly palming the ball over Shane Enright’s head.
Kerry went in front twice more through James O’Donoghue but both times Jamie Lee squared the game up.
Geaney made an immediate impact when introduced for O’Donoghue to put Kerry one point ahead in the closing stages but with the game looking beyond Limerick, corner back Sean O’Dea kicked a glorious point from 40 metres to force extra time.
Kerry went ahead again just 14 seconds into extra time through a Barry O’Sullivan goal but Limerick responded a minute later when their captain Ian Corbett hit the net with a penalty.
David Moran scored an excellent point from long range to put Kerry 2-12 to 2-11 ahead but Danny Neville brought Limerick level for a fifth time.
Geaney's free then put Kerry one point in front at half time in extra time and his goal in the 89th minute sealed a hard fought victory by a margin of four points.
Kerry: B Kealy, S Enright, J Foley, K Young, P Murphy, T Morley, T O’Sullivan (0-01), D Moran (1-01), J Barry, J Lyne (0-02), J Savage, M Geaney, BJ Keane (0-02, 2F), P Geaney (0-01), J O’Donoghue (0-04, 2f).
Subs: G Crowley for Murphy (30), Briain Ó Seanacháin for M Geaney (45), Barry O’Sullivan (1-00) for Barry (45), D Daly for Crowley (59), C Geaney (1-2, 2f) for O’Donoghue (65), C Keane for P Geaney (79), K McCarthy for BJ Keane (80), A Spillane for T O’Sullivan (85).
Limerick: D O’Sullivan, D Daly, J McCarthy, S O’Dea (0-01), P White, I Corbett (1-02, 1-0 pen), P Hannon, D Treacy (0-01), B Fanning, P Nash, G Collins (0-01), B Donovan, S McSweeney (0-01, 1F), D Neville (0-03), S O’Carroll (1-01).
Subs: J Lee (0-02, 1f) for for McSweeney (48), G Noonan for Nash (49), D Ward for Daly (51), C Fahy for Hannon (60), J Naughton for O’Carroll (68), J Bridgeman for White (70), C Sheehan for Collins (75), P Quinn for Fanning (82), K Ryan for Tracey (85).
Referee: Alan Kissane (Waterford)
