All eyes on North Kerry and Mid Kerry finals

TOMMY Walsh and Aidan O’Mahony couldn’t inspire Munster to victory over Ulster in the delayed Inter-provincial semi-final in Parnell Park last Sunday.

The fixture had been put back 24 hours because of the death and funeral of former Ulster Council Secretary Danny Murphy, but the northern province seemed to draw strength from the untimely death of the former Down County Board chairman, and recorded a 3-17 to 1-15 win to book their place in the final against Connacht, who overcame Leinster the previous day.

O’Mahony’s involvement was ended prematurely when the Munster captain was dismissed on a black card by Wicklow referee Anthony Nolan in the 27th minute.

Ulster led 2-9 to 0-6 at half-time with the help of goals from Aidan Breen and Enda Lynn, but Munster did stage a third quarter revival, out-scoring their opponents by 1-5 to 0-2 to leave just three points between the sides going into the last 10 minutes. However, Ulster finished the stronger team with Tyrone’s Peter Harte converting a late penalty to bring his tally to 1-8.

Tommy Walsh’s contribution amounted to a fisted point and moved between full-forward, where he started the game, and midfield but never made the impact Munster manager Ger O’Sullivan would have hoped for from the Tralee player.

Kerry referee Padriag O’Sullivan will take charge of the Inter-provincial football final between Ulster and Connacht, which takes place this Saturday in Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon at 2pm.

In the hurling final Munster play Leinster tomorrow (Thursday) in Semple Stadium at 7.45.

Kerry’s Tom Murnane played his part in Munster’s 3-21 to 0-15 semi-final win over Ulster last Sunday in Thurles. The Kilmoyley man replaced Waterford’s Jamie Barron at half time and scored a point from the half-back line as goals from Seamus Callanan, Mikey Breen and Stephen Bennett helped Munster to a comfortable win.