Five-star Kerry turn the tables

Adam Moynihan reports from O’Moore Park, Portlaoise

Portlaoise handed them first place with plenty to spare.

All-Ireland champions Kerry secured a record-breaking victory over Louth on Sunday to unexpectedly top their group and advance directly to the All-Ireland quarter-finals on July 1/2. The Kingdom travelled to the midlands knowing that they needed a result of some kind to avoid elimination. If they won, a second-place finish behind group leaders Mayo, and a spot in the preliminary quarter-finals, appeared to be the most likely outcome. However, Mayo’s shock defeat to Cork in the other match, coupled with Kerry’s impressive win, left all three of those teams level on four points by the close of play. With head-to-head results now thrown out the window, the final standings were decided by points difference and Kerry’s huge score in

Almost incredibly, Cork’s three-point win in Limerick saw them overtake Mayo too, consigning Kevin McStay’s All-Ireland contenders to an away preliminary quarter-final against Connacht rivals Galway. Cork will be at home Roscommon on Saturday with Donegal hosting Tyrone and Kildare taking on Monaghan.

Kerry can now enjoy a weekend off. The nature of their performance on Sunday should see them enter their last eight tie in Croke Park with a pep in their step.

Energy

A high-energy start laid the foundations for Jack O’Connor’s men at a sunny O’Moore Park and they took complete control between the 14th and 30th minutes. Cheered on by jubilant travelling fans, Kerry scored 2-10 with- out reply during this period to open up an unassailable 18-point lead. The goals came via David Clifford and Mike Breen with two long-range beauties by Clifford and some well-executed shots by the excellent Diarmuid O’Connor the pick of the points.

Louth were dropping bodies deep but Kerry’s excellent ball movement and hard running made mince meat of their defensive block. Some errant shooting at the other end certainly didn’t help the Wee County’s cause.

Paudie Clifford, David Clifford (penalty) and Seánie O’Shea added three more goals in the second half as the Munster champions ran out 28-point winners – the biggest ever winning margin in an All-Ireland series fixture. Next on the agenda is a trip to our nation’s capital. If their showing against Louth is anything to go by, Kerry won’t be relinquishing their title without a fight.

KERRY: S Ryan; G O’Sullivan, J Foley, T O’Sullivan (0-2); P Murphy, T Morley, M Breen (1-0); D O’Connor (0-3), J Barry; D Moynihan (0-2), S O’Shea (1-8, 3f, 1m, 1 ‘45), A Spillane; P Clifford (1-2), D Clifford (2-4, 1p, 1m), T Brosnan (0-3, 1m).

SUBS: BD O’Sullivan for Barry (47), B Ó Beaglaoich for Breen (47), R Murphy for Moynihan (52), S O’Brien for Spillane (52), M Burns for D Clifford (54).

LOUTH: J Califf; D Corcoran, P Lynch, D McKenny; L Grey, N Sharkey (0-1), C McKeever; T Durnin, C Early (0-1); C Murphy; C Downey (0-2), C Grimes (0-2); C Lennon, S Mulroy (0-1, 1f), C McCaul.

SUBS: B Duffy for Murphy (HT), L Jackson (0-1) for McCaul (HT), A Williams (0-1) for Corcoran (44), D McKeown (0-2, 1f) for Mulroy (46), J Commins for Lynch (66).