SHANE TAKING KERR OF OAKS
Harte’s men Leaf it late but Mcguigan holds nerve
Kerry 2-8 0-15 BY JOHN O’DOWD A LAST-GASP free from Shane Mcguigan saw Derry hold off Kerry in a pulsating finale in Tralee last night.
Four points to the good at half-time, six up after nabbing the first two scores on the restart, Mickey Harte’s side were in control for the most part.
However, driven on by the vociferous home support, the Kingdom refused to wilt.
A turnover on Brendan Rogers by Joe O’connor with goalkeeper Odhran Lynch upfield, enabled Kerry substitute Conor Geaney to slot the ball into an empty net in the 58th minute to ignite Jack O’connor’s outfit.
As they did all game, the Oak Leafers instantly responded to that sucker punch, Declan Cassidy and replacement Niall Toney raising white flags.
Kerry struck for their second goal to level the game in the 64th minute, Dylan Casey slotting home with aplomb.
Wing-forward Ciarán Mcfaul, returning to the fray after picking up a black-card, and Kerry corner-back Graham O’sullivan, with a pointed mark, exchanged minors down the home straight, either side of a couple of butchered goal opportunities from the hosts.
While advancing net-minder Shane Ryan ballooned a longrange wide to nick the two points for Kerry in injurytime, it was Derry who kept their composure when the need was greatest.
Substitute Cormac Murphy won a late, late free after a surging run, and top scorer Mcguigan made no mistake.
Showing a statement of intent right from their arrival in Tralee, Derry included three of the Glen side who had captured the All-ireland senior club title the previous weekend, with the inclusion of Conor Glass at midfield especially significant.
Indeed, the flame-haired inspiration opened the game’s scoring in the third minute with a fine effort from play, and despite Kerry almost immediately hitting the front with a brace of points from Sean O’shea (one free), Derry began to dominate.
The Ulster men took over around the centre of the park and they looked strong despite a few late scares.