On the up East dump Mid out

COUNTY SFC LOSERS ROUND East Kerry 4-15 Mid Kerry 1-11

WHEN the winning team’s full-forward line finishes the game with the grand tally of four goals and six points then you get a fair picture of the dominance that they enjoyed throughout the game.

East Kerry were much too strong for a tame Mid Kerry side in Lewis Road last Sunday and were full value for their 13-point win in the finish. Prior to the throw in most spectators were expecting a tight game between the two district sides, but East Kerry were vastly superior and opened up a porous Mid Kerry defence with ease.

While East Kerry were very impressive at times, and look to have potential, it is difficult to know if they are genuine title contenders in the overall context.

Although the game was a largely forgettable affair, some of the score taking was of the top drawer variety and David Clifford added to his collection of great goals with another sublime effort right on the stroke of half-time.

The 2017 Kerry minor captain collected a pass from his brother Paudie, took on a couple of defenders and placed the ball with power and accuracy into the top right hand corner of the net from 15 yards, with Mid Kerry goalkeeper Mike Moriarty helpless as the ball flew past him. A great goal from a class act.

This left East Kerry with an eight-point advantage at the break, 3-5 to 0-6, in spite of playing against the wind in the first half and it was difficult to see a way back for Mid Kerry at this stage.

The start of the first half was a pretty even affair and it was level at two points a piece after 10 minutes, with the Mid Kerry scores coming from Gavan O’Grady and Cathal Moriarty, while Jack Sherwood and Paudie Clifford replied for East Kerry.

The stylish Jeff O’Donoghue then palmed a goal for East Kerry after wing back Shane Cronin slalomed through the Mid Kerry defence at ease and passed to O’Donoghue.

The goal seemed to change the whole complexion of the game and East Kerry points followed from Stephen Foley and Dara Roche, before a high ball in from David Clifford broke kindly to Roche and he finished low and hard to the back of the net.

Suddenly East Kerry were 2-4 to 0-2 ahead, but credit to Mid Kerry who put over four points on the bounce from Mike Breen, a Gavan O’Grady free, Donnchadh Walsh and a Liam Carey free kick with East Kerry’s response coming from a fine Jeff