Thumping defeat for Kerry first team

LAST Saturday Kerry Seconds took on Limerick

Limerick won the toss and chose to field first. It proved an astute decision, the home team were not at full strength and the Kerry batting was unable to deal with the fire power of the visitors bowling.

Maybe the overcast and somewhat changeable weather helped, but the visitors got the ball to swing in the air and move off the seam. Mustafa Sidiqi (recently turned 17), got the first breakthrough dismissing Jonathan Boulding for 4, and then cleaning up the last two Kerry wickets in his second spell. His outstanding analysis was 7.2 overs of which four were maidens finishing with 3 wickets for 9 runs.

The Kerry batsmen never managed to settle, only Dean Sharon (11) and Ian Brick (13) got into double figures. Kerry were helped along the way by a little too much waywardness in the generally fine bowling performance from Limerick (over 20 wides) but were eventually all out for a disappointing 77.

Mustafa was umpire Ron Kimbers’ pick of the players for Limerick, while Sean Rutland took the honours for Kerry, albeit in a losing cause.

Bowling the second over of the innings from the Tavern End, Rutland opened his account with a double wicket maiden. For a brief spell it looked like he might have turned the game on it’s head for Kerry. But it was a false dawn, Chris McGrath (27*) and Zia Khan (35*) saw the visitors home without any further mishap to give Limerick a thumping 8 wicket victory.

Kerry 2nds: all out 77 (Gavin Devereux 3-5 Mustafa Sidiqi 3-9)

Limerick 2nds: 81 for 2, won by 8 wickets.

On Sunday, the 1st squad travelled to Midleton for the semi-final of The Munster Senior Cup. Midleton opted to bat first, and although the Kerry bowlers stuck to their task, Midleton had 257 for 7 on the board at the end of the 50th over. Rob Smyth (61) led the way with great support from Kieran O’Reilly (43) enjoying a third wicket partnership of 80 to set a great platform for the home squad.

In reply, Kerry lost Azeem for 3, and failed to establish serious partnerships with three of the visitors passing 20 before losing their wickets. Only club pro Arslan Anwar was able to deal with the Midleton attack as he put together his maiden century for Kerry, finishing on 108. It wasn’t enough though, Kerry fell 27 runs short of the target and Midleton progress to the Munster Senior Cup Final. They will meet Galway (who pulled off an unexpected victory against Cork County) on 23 July. Congratulations to Midleton, who progress to the Senior Cup Final for the first time since 2003.

Midleton 257 for 7, beat Kerry, all out 230, by 27 runs.

Kerry now look forward to a crucial encounter with Newbuildings who travel from the North West for the quarter-final of the Irish National Cup at 1pm. Fixtures Saturday, July 9: Cork County 2nds v Co Kerry 2nds. The Mardyke, Cork. (Munster Division 1) Sunday, July 10: Co Kerry 1sts v New Buildings. The Oyster Oval, Spa. (Irish National Cup)