Hennessy pleased with performance

KERRY team manager David Hennessy said he was very pleased with the win and the overall team performance.

“We were excellent in the first half passed the ball around very well and were very creative going forward. However, Limerick got a grip on the game in the second half and we had to graft hard to minimise their scoring chances. Brian O’Connor made some great saves during the game and was unbelievable in the penalty shoot-out.

“The bench also had a big impact in the game today with the five players that were brought on performing very well. You need a strong bench to do well in this type of competition and it is great to have a very strong panel of players this year. We were missing a few players through injury, but everyone that played today rose to the occasion.

“Our game plan was to keep the ball on the deck as much as we could and we done this very well in the first half but found it much more difficult in the second half as Limerick had to go all out in search of an equaliser. Kerry rarely beat Limerick in this competition and we knew it would take a huge effort to win. I was delighted that each and every player had a key role in this win.

“We hope to have some players back from injury for the next game and we are looking forward to the last 16 draw where hopefully we will get a home draw. We can enjoy our win for now and knuckle down to the preparations for the next game.

“We have got over the first hurdle but even bigger challenges lie ahead if we keep progressing in the national competition,” he added

Peter McCarthy, Kerry DL and Thomas Clarke, Limerick DL in action during the game last weekend Photo by Domnick Walsh / Eye Focus