Three Kerry strikes and Laois are out

NHL DIVISION 1B RD 1

Kerry 3-14 Laois 0-19 GOING into this game Kerry’s recent record against Laois suggested that the Kingdom might well have the edge given that they were successful in their last two meetings and the 2-27 to 1-19 win in the relegation play-off back in April in Tralee looked as if it might be an indicator in terms of how this particular contest might materialise.

The absence of the O’Leary brothers through injury along with that of John Egan, who announced his retirement from inter-county hurling during the week, meant that Kerry would lack the services of three players who contributed 1-11 to the side’s tally in that last meeting between the sides.

However, this was a much changed Laois combination with eight of the starting fifteen on that last occasion not featuring in the current line up. On the plus side for Kerry was the return of Padraig Boyle and in the final analysis his brace of second half goals had a significant bearing on the outcome.

Certainly when both sides reflect on this particular result they will view it through entirely different lenses, because Laois having dominated the contest from the outset, looked to be the most likely side to succeed for three quarters of the tie.

Indeed, they led by six points after fifty eight minutes, and really there was little to suggest at that particular juncture that Kerry would salvage the situation very much against all odds.

But, as in every other code goals are game breakers and Kerry’s three, all in the second half, were ultimately hugely significant to the end result. Kerry, quite rightly, will point to their character and never say die attitude.

Definitely their second half performance was in sharp contrast to their first half showing, while Laois didn’t perform at the same level in the second having opened up a nine point lead at the end of the opening thirty minutes of play.

The goals obviously, were decisive in terms of shifting the momentum fully in favour of the home side, but the game was still level with ten minutes of normal time remaining and one expected a response from Laois. However, Kerry once they hit the front, dug deep and were well equal to any late surge from the visitors.

Laois, more resourceful and a lot sharper in terms of their touch and delivery, were four points in front after just eight minutes before Shane Nolan opened Kerry’s account with a pointed free from halfway.

However, Laois with a solid platform in the middle third of the pitch continued to dictate and dominate matters with Kerry largely reduced to sporadic attacks, and while Jordan Conway was denied of a goal by a brilliant save from Eoin Fleming, Kerry’s scoring opportunities were largely reduced to efforts from placed balls from Shane Nolan from distance and he was uncharacteristically off target with a number of chances throughout the opening half, even if the breeze obviously was a factor.

With Stephen Maher unerring from frees at the other end and Willie Dunphy registering four excellent efforts from play, Laois with five different players contributing to the scoring in contrast to Kerry, for whom Shane Nolan was singularly on target during that opening half, led 0-13 to 0-4 at the interval with Kerry having tallied nine wides.

Certainly, Kerry needed to restart with far greater urgency and intensity and they received the perfect boost within three minutes of the restart with

Padraig Boyle confidently converting from the penalty spot.

However, for a period it merely put a better complexion on the scoreboard with Laois continuing to hold sway in most sectors, even if Mikey Boyle was more involved on the forty.

There was a gradual improvement in Kerry’s play with Patrick Kelly becoming a dominant figure in the pivotal centre half back position, flanked by Darren Dineen and Paud Costello, both of whom had stepped up considerably in terms of their impact on proceedings.

With Daniel Collins prominent for a period and on target with his first score in the forty eight minute there was a lot more cut and thrust about Kerry’s play, even if they were still six points behind by the 60th minute.

Padraig Boyle’s second goal struck home in a goalmouth melee resurrected fading hopes, and Colum Harty’s finish to the roof of the net almost immediately afterwards, after substitute Keith Carmody had created the opening for him suddenly turned the game completely on its head.

There was still time for Laois to get back on track, but with the issue now delicately poised the Boyle brothers stepped up with some big scores, as indeed did Colum Harty whose input in the final quarter was noteworthy.

Laois introduced a number of substitutes in their efforts to regain the initiative, but by that stage Kerry were performing very much on the front foot, with all three players in the full back line effecting some vital blocks and clearances. It was a victory which was achieved with a tally of fifteen wides and one that not many, if any, would have predicted at the midway point.

The win has got Kerry off to the perfect start in a League programme which sees them travel to Limerick this Sunday. Wexford and Galway will follow after that nd, Kerry’s home game with Offaly in Tralee on March 26 could well decide which team will be in the relegation playoff or, indeed, in the League quarter-finals on the weekend of April 1/2. KERRY: Aiden McCabe, Sean Weir, Rory Horgan, Bryan Murphy, Paud Costello, Patrick Kelly, Darren Dineen, Paudie O’Connor (0-1), Colm Harty (1-2), Jack Goulding, Mikey Boyle (0-2), Daniel Collins (0-2), Jordan Conway, Padraig Boyle (2-1 1-0 pen), Shane Nolan (0-6, 5f). Subs: Keith Carmody for J Conway (53), James O’Connor for J Goulding (72) LAOIS: Eoin Fleming, Dwane Palmer, Ryan Mullaney, Padraig Lawlor, Leigh Bergin, Matthew Whelan, Paddy Whelan, (0-1), Patrick Purcell, Ben Conroy (0-1), Cian Taylor, Neil Foyle (0-1), Ross King, Willie Dunphy (0-4), Charles Dwyer, Stephen Maher (0-11 frees). Subs: PJ Scully (0-1 s/l) for C Taylor (57), Eanna Lyons for P Whelan (60), Sean Downey for R Mullaney (63), Cahir Healy for N Foyle (66) REFEREE: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)