Kerry hurlers claim promotion
JOHN EGAN was hailed a ‘born leader’ after his substitute intervention guaranteed Division 1B hurling for Kerry.
The St Brendan’s man was only introduced in the 57th minute but scored the injurytime point that separated the sides at Parnell Park.
It secured a hard fought promotion for 2A champions Kerry and ensured Antrim go in the opposite direction.
Kerry actually won their division for the past two seasons but fell to Offaly in last year’s play-off fixture.
A year on, they made up for that though they had to do it the hard way after slipping 011 to 0-3 behind at half-time.
They came roaring back into the contest in the second half and aided by a strong wind drew level three times late on.
Colm Harty sniped two goals while Shane Nolan was excellent with 0-8 overall. But Egan was the name on everyone’s lips afterwards as he shot the historic point.
‘John is a born leader,’ said manager Eamonn Kelly. ‘We had the belief to try him again today and I’m absolutely delighted he got the winner.’
Harty’s goals came in the 44th and 55th minutes and Kerry took a brief lead with nine minutes to go. But it was Egan’s 71st-minute score that ultimately separated them. kErry: S Murphy; D Fitzell, P Costello, B Murphy; S Weir, D Dineen, D Collins; J Griffin, P Kelly; C Harty, S Nolan, M O’Leary; M Boyle, P Boyle (J Flaherty 63), K Carmody (J Egan 57). Wides: 15 (9). Frees: 15 (7). yellow: S Nolan 62. scorers: S Nolan 0-8 (5f), C Harty 2-0, M O’Leary 0-4, D Collins, J Griffin, P Kelly, J Egan 0-1. ANtrIM: C O’Connell; O McFadden, N McAuley, A Graffin; E McAlonan (C Johnson h-t), N McManus, C McKinley; E Campbell, M Bradley (D Hamill 59); P Shiels, C Carson (M Dudley 43), D McKernan; PJ O’Connell, M Donnelly, C Clarke. Wides: 10 (5). Frees: 13 (5). yellow card: M Donnelly 50, N McAuley 67 scorers: P Shiels 0-7 (7f), PJ O’Connell 1-2, C Clarke 0-3 (1f), N McAuley, N McManus, M Bradley, M Donnelly, C Johnson, M Dudley 0-1. referee: Seán Cleere (Kilkenny).