Kerry left with regrets after a close run thing

NHL DIVISION 1B ROUND 5 Kerry 2-16 Offaly 1-21

A narrow defeat for Kerry in the final round of the National League Division 1B in the Austin Stack Park last Sunday, a result which leaves them having to beat Laois on this coming weekend to retain their status in this particular division. It was a game they could possibly have won and on reflection a few crucial factors and incidents had a significant bearing on the eventual outcome.

Certainly the dismissal of John Buckley late in the first half made their task extremely difficult despite having the advantage of a stiff breeze in the second half. A tally of 13 wides was a statistic which also had a major influence on the eventual outcome and the concession of a goal in the 54th minute at a time when just a point separated the sides was a real momentum changer.

Thereafter Offaly controlled matters with a lot of efficiency despite a pretty wholehearted effort from the home side.

A goal in the dying minutes put a better complexion on the scoreboard at the end of proceedings, but if one viewed the contest in the overall context, Offaly were marginally the superior combination for long periods, even if Kerry’s heart-warming input always kept them in contention.

However, in terms of scoring the visitors were more creative and clinical, and, in the first half seven different players registered some superb scores from various angles and distances.

Kerry, by contrast, failed to capitalise in similar type situations in the second half and it was this type of clinical efficiency, which ensured that Offaly almost inevitably enjoyed a scoring advantage for most of the encounter.

Coming into the game Offaly’s performances against both Limerick and Wexford suggested that they had found some form at just the right time and it was reflected in what was a pretty confident and controlled performance.

Kerry had a few scoring opportunities at the outset of proceedings, but it was Offaly who were 0-3 to 0-1 in front after just six minutes. Kerry responded and were level on four points apiece by the eleventh minute, with Padraig Boyle registering two outstanding scores.

Three minutes later Kerry were in front with Ballyduff’s goal machine clinically converting his sixth goal of the campaign with an inch perfect finish low to the corner of the net.

However, three unanswered points, all from play, meant that Offaly were back on level terms by the eighteenth minute.

Jordan Conway, who effected some delightful touches throughout briefly put Kerry back in front, but Offaly always had more scoring options with the facility to respond, and with 25th minutes having elapsed they were in front by 0-11 to 1-5.

However, Kerry stuck manfully to the task with Paudie O’Connor and Bryan Murphy landing two fine scores. Padraig Boyle added another beauty, but Shane Dooley’s unerring returns from placed balls meant that Offaly retired for the interval three points in front, 0-15 to 1-9.

Certainly Kerry with the advantage of the breeze to follow were in a strong position at that particular juncture, but, John Buckley’s dismissal having been shown a second yellow card at the tail end of the half put a different complexion altogether on proceedings.

No doubt whatsoever about the second card, but the first was somewhat debatable. Up until that particular juncture he had been utilised in a withdrawn role around midfield and in defence, but, his departure meant that Offaly had a spare player in this particular sector and they largely utilised that advantage to full effect.

However, Kerry restarted with far more urgency and they were level within five minutes of the restart, having converted three unanswered points. With Shane Dooley having been withdrawn Kerry’s prospects increased, and, with Padraig Boyle with another magnificent effort swapping points with the equally impressive Sean Cleary.

Kerry kept pace, but after Cillian Kiely who was particularly effective all through, pointed the visitors back in front with a free,substitute Stephen Quirke, after Oisin Kelly had created the chance for him with a defence splitting run, availed of his assist, and applied an emphatic finish for an Offaly goal at a critical juncture in proceedings.

However, it failed to put paid to a vibrant Kerry challenge with some sterling defending from the likes of Daniel Collins, Sean Weir and Darren Dineen ensuring that Kerry’s challenge remained very much in full flow.

Three points adrift, 1-14 to 1-17, Jordan Conway was denied of what looked like being a certain goal in the sixtieth minute. It proved to be a defining moment with Offaly extending their lead to 1-20 to 1-15 by the 66th minute.

Thereafter, despite a lot of effort, Kerry struggled to unlock a pretty compact and controlled Offaly rearguard unit, and while Shane Nolan forced the ball home from close range for a second Kerry goal in added time it came too late to influence the final outcome.

Kerry understandably might have some misgivings about various aspects of the encounter, but Offaly were more consistent and were always able to step up a gear whenever Kerry threatened to exert a grip on proceedings.

An opportunity missed, therefore, by Kerry who never had a full complement of players available throughout all of the campaign. With the O’Learys Brendan and Michael featuring off the bench, and Mikey Boyle back in the match day squad they should be better equipped in their quest to retain their status when they engage Laois in the relegation play off in this coming weekend.

KERRY: Martin Stackpoole, James O Connor, Tom Murnane, Sean Weir, Daniel Collins, Bryan Murphy (0-1), Darren Dineen, Paudie O Connor, (0-1), Jack Goulding, Shane Nolan, (1-6, 0-5f, 0-1 ‘65’), Patrick Kelly, Colum Harty (0-1), Jordan Conway (0-1), Padraig Boyle (15), John Buckley Subs: Michael O’Leary for P Kelly, Keith Carmody (0-1) for C Harty, Brendan O’Leary for J Goulding, Thomas Casey for P O Connor.

OFFALY: James Dempsey, Paddy Rigney, Michael Cleary, Ben Connelly (01), Peter Geraghty (0-1), Dermot Shortt, Sean Gardiner, Aidan Treacy, David King (0-2), Sean Ryan, Shane Dooley (0-5f), Oisin Kelly, Sean Cleary (0-4), Cillian Kiely (0-6, 2f) Emmett Nolan (0-2) Subs: Enda Grogan for S Gardiner, Paddy Murphy for B Connelly, Stephen Quirke for S Dooley, James Mulrooney for P Geraghty, Pat Camon for E Nolan.

REFEREE: Sean Cleere (Kilkenny)