Kerry 3-12 St. Columbkilles 0-11

 

Having already qualified for the semi-finals, the outcome of this game made no difference to St. Cols as Galway had already qualified for the final.  A few players carrying knocks were rested.  For Kerry it was a must win as they had to in order qualify for the semi-final.  From the early going it was clear that Kerry were up for the game.  Surging runs from midfield kept St. Columbkilles on the back foot.  In fact, in the first few minutes of the game, Kerry won a penalty which was subsequently missed, but they would make good on that. 

 

Kerry missed several scoring chances in the first ten minutes, but eventually sharpened up and started firing the ball between the posts.  St. Columbkilles also took some time to get things going and some good points came from Dara Shovlin, Eoghan Keating, and Andy Farrell.  Kerry on the other hand got in for two goals in the first half, both coming from Pauric Whelan. 

 

Trailing by seven points at half time, St. Columbkilles needed to try and turn things around, but to no avail as Whelan goaled again early in the second half.  Some substitutions were made and in the final 15 minutes St. Cols got some traction and scored some nice points.  Donnacha Lee came in and added a little muscle in the middle of the field.  No goals scored, but lets hope for a different outcome when it matters next Sunday against the same opposition.

 

St. Cols:  Colin Murphy (Gaillimh), Rory O’Donnell (Ath Cliath), Ross O’Brien (Ath Cliath), Paddy McKenna (Tir Eoghain), Darragh Keane (Ath Cliath), Kevin Ward (An Mhi), JP Stokes (Luimnigh), Conor Hannick (Maigheo), Andy Farrell (Ath Cliath), Eoghan Keating (Luimnigh), Davy Feehan (Maigheo), Dara Shovlin (Ath Cliath), Keith Doyle (Cill Dara).  Subs:  John Marsh (Luimnigh), James Kinsella (Loch Garman), Odhran McCann (Ath Cliath), Donnacha Lee (Ath Cliath), Darren Burke (Luimnigh).