A second-half blitz in the snow saw Kerry crush Meath at Fitzgerald Stadium yesterday and book their place in next weekend’s Allianz Division 2A final against Westmeath.

The Joe McDonagh Cup is fast becoming a wide-open competition, with each participant having the ability to beat the others amid a surprise result in each round.

The changes brought about at last year’s Special Congress saw Kerry hurling “thrown under the bus”, Kingdom manager Fintan O’Connor has claimed.

Laois secured their third straight win in this Leinster SHC Round Robin qualifier and advance with confidence to face Wexford in the Leinster SHC quarter-final. 

Kerry 0-20 Westmeath 2-12: Kerry senior hurling manager Fintan O’Connor, confessed to being “relieved, more than anything” after his side pulled off a vital win against Westmeath in miserable weather in Mullingar yesterday afternoon.

Allianz HL Division 1B

Westmeath staged a strong second-half display, to maintain their unbeaten run in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship at Austin Stack Park, Tralee this afternoon.

Clare 2-27 Kerry 0-8: It was all one-way traffic at Sixmilebridge last night when Clare had 25 points to spare over Kerry in the Munster Senior Hurling league.

Pobalscoil Sliabh Luachra, Rathmore 4-12 Pobalscoil Chorcha Dhuibhne 2-9: Sliabh Luachra Rathmore caused a major upset in the opening round of this season’s Munster Colleges, Corn Ui Mhuiri Group C, with a comprehensive win over the Corn Uí Mhuirí winners of the last four years, Corca Dhuibhne.

Kerry 1-20 Derry 0-12: They perhaps left their best hurling behind them in Newbridge a week earlier but when you’ve also left two Christy Ring Cup finals behind you, winning is all that matters.

Hard as you can for as long as you can — the words printed on a giant Kerry flag tacked to the dressing-room wall in Newbridge last weekend as the players exited for action.

Kerry 6-27 Kildare 0-9: Kerry manager Eamon Kelly was quick to try to dampen down expectations as Kerry blitzed the team that beat them in last year’s Christy Ring Cup final to book a place in next week’s decider.

Kerry manager Eamonn Kelly insisted the Christy Ring Cup was still the county’s number one priority for the summer, despite his side earning a shot at Division 1B hurling.

Wicklow 1-6 Kerry 2-20: Kerry hurling manager Eamonn Kelly was happy with his side’s improvement as they ran out 17-point winners over Wicklow in Division 2A at Arklow.

Mid Kerry 1-12 Shannon Rangers 0-7

Kildare 4-18 Kerry 2-22

Kilkenny continue the policy of rotation for tomorrow’s Allianz Hurling League Division 1 final in Semple Stadium (throw-in 3.30pm).

Kerry 2-24 Kildare 0-13

Kerry hurling star Mikey Boyle has been handed a 48-week ban following an incident in a club football game.

Silvermines (Tipperary) 0-14 Ballyduff (Kerry) 0-08

Kilcummin booked their place in the third round of the Kerry SFC after overcoming Shannon Rangers in a tight encounter in Tarbert on Saturday night.

Carlow and Westmeath claimed wins in the opening round of Division 2A of the Hurling League this afternoon.

THREE unanswered points in the final 10 minutes helped Ballyduff past Courcey Rovers at Cloughduv in the Munster IHC yesterday, a first hurling victory for a Kerry club in the provincial competition.

FAVOURITES Ballyduff were forced to produce a storming fightback to claim their 23rd crown in a thrilling Kerry SHC final at Austin Stack Park, Tralee.

A STROLL at headquarters for Kerry on Saturday, a final they dominated from start to finish against a game but outclassed Wicklow side to win their first Christy Ring Cup title.

FOR John Meyler, this afternoon’s Christy Ring Cup final date with Wicklow is a first step. Winning it would be a means to an end.

NEWLY promoted Kerry stepped up in class against Antrim yesterday in the opening round of Division 2 of the Allianz NHL at Austin Stack Park Tralee, and only faded against more experienced rivals in the final 15 minutes.

AN injury-time goal from sub Thomas O’Rourke fired Ballyduff to the last four of the Kerry Senior Hurling Championship at Austin Stack Park, Tralee on Sunday night.

AN injury-time goal from sub Thomas O’Rourke fired Ballyduff to the last four of the Kerry Senior Hurling Championship at Austin Stack Park, Tralee yesterday.

FORMER Kerry star forward Mike Frank Russell scored 1-4 as Laune Rangers booked their place in the third round of the AIB Kerry SFC at the expense of Spa.

Kerry 2-17 Wicklow 2-14

Roscommon 1-07 Kerry 2-19

Kerry failed to hang onto a goal lead early in the second half as Wicklow pinched a 0-15 to 2-07 victory over the Kingdom in Section 2B of the Christy Ring Cup.