Conway at forefront as Kerry prove too strong for Royals

KERRY, thanks to a power-packed second-half, got the better of Meath in a game played in a blizzard in Killarney yesterday.

Kerry will now play Westmeath in the league decider on Sunday next, while Meath – who failed to score in the second period yesterday – must beat London in their last game to ensure Division 2A action next year.

It was difficult for the players to get to grips with the atrocious conditions and the first half turned out to be a battle of the free-takers, with very little flowing hurling.

Shane Conway fired over Kerry’s opening three points from placed balls, while his Meath counterpart Padraig O’Hanrahan replied with two frees of his own.

By the 20th minute Kerry led 0-5 to 0-2, with Mikey Boyle’s first point from play and another free from Conway.

Meath had the better of the exchanges in the final 15 minutes of the half, with Padraig O’Hanrahan adding two more frees for the Royal County, while Mikey Boyle replied with another from play for Kerry.

Kerry were wasteful in the conditions and Jack Regan fired over Meath’s first points from play in the 27th and 28th minutes to level the contest.

Conway restored Kerry’s lead in the 31st minute from another free, but it was Meath who had more to play for than Kerry, as they battled for survival. Meath finished with a point from centre-back James Toher and O’Hanrahan’s fifth free of the opening half to retire 0-8 to 0-7 in front at the interval.

Kerry took over completely on the resumption, with defenders James O’Connor, Jason Diggins and Paud Costello impressing, while impact subs Padraig Boyle and Jordan Meath’s Jack Regan dries his hands before taking a sideline cut against Kerry

Conway improved matters up front.

Kerry had the luxury of taking off Shane Conway and giving Tadhg Brick, from new club Tralee Parnells, his first outing in a Kerry senior jersey. Meath hardly created a chance in the second half as their challenge evaporated.

Kerry scored superb points in the conditions and struck for three goals, from Jordan Conway, Padraig Boyle – who blasted a free to the roof of the net – and Jordan Brick, who polished off a comprehensive victory for the home side.