Kerry have beaten Down in the Joe McDonagh Cup.
The Kingdom won by 2-24 to 1-21 in Tralee.
Points from Shane Conway, Mikey Boyle and Shane Nolan had Kerry 3 clear inside 7 minutes. The Kingdom led by 5 to 1 after ten minutes following 2 more Conway scores. A Down goal brought them within 3 before a goal levelled proceedings after 13 minutes
After Down went in front Mikey Boyle pointed for Kerry to make it 0-6 to 1-3 inside 16 minutes. Down pointed but again Mikey Boyle had Kerry on level terms and it was 0-7 to 1-4 at the water break. It was tit for tat and after Conway nabbed his 4th point of the day it was Down's turn to hit back. However, when Down levelled Kerry went up the other end and Conway restored the narrowest of advantages. Padraig Boyle then doubled the advantage & Kerry were ahead 0-10 to 1-5 after 27 minutes. Shane Nolan soon had Kerry 3 to the good before a Down points brought it back to 2. The gap was quickly down to 1 but no sooner had that happened that Barry O'Mahony doubled the lead. A Cian Hussey goal put Kerry 5 clear at 1-12 to 1-7
Down pointed next but Padraig Boyle and Shane Nolan scores gave Kerry a 6 point lead at the break at 1-14 to 1-8.
The sides swapped points on numerous occasions at the start of the second period as O’Mahony, Nolan and Conway all put over for Kerry who then led 1-17 to 1-11. After another Down point Mikey Boyle did likewise for Kerry, who were able to answer on every occasion. It was 1-20 to 1-15 after 49 minutes and that’s how it stood at the water break. Down pointed upon the resumption before a Shane Conway goal put the Kingdom 7 up
Kerry won by 6 in the end, a hugely important victory as they bid to reach the Final.
Andrew Morrissey
Kerry manager , Fintan O'Connor
