Kerry dance on Galway's crown

KERRY 2-17 GALWAY 1-12

Now, following this emphatic triumph over holders Galway, there is the intriguing prospect of a unique meeting in the Bank of Ireland football championship semi-final on August 25 - provided of course that Mayo do not upset the predictions by winning today. Yesterday, there was never more than a hint that the 2001 champions would prevent Paidi O Se’s steadily improving team from qualifying.

What was arguably more impressive than their winning margin of eight points (only made possible, really, by substitute Aodan MacGearailt’s 62nd minute goal) was the way Kerry controlled the game for long periods. Galway led for the only time in the game when Michael Donnellan’s 6th minute goal kept them in front until the very much in-form Mike Frank Russell scored Kerry’s fifth point in the 14th minute. Nevertheless, it was notable that the champions created four real chances of goals and took three points instead - and that Kerry did look vulnerable for a period prior to the MacGearailt goal, for which the opening came from Dara O Cinneide. After that, it was virtually one-way traffic.

While the first half was always competitive, Kerry enjoyed a psychological advantage in the way they played the more methodical football and created the bigger threat in attack - largely through Russell and Colm Cooper. And, given that the Seamus Moynihan/Padraig Joyce duel was always going to be significant, it was notable that Moynihan asserted himself at the beginning.

Without ever managing to monopolise play in front of goal - which would have been unrealistic to expect, apart from the fact that the two players moved temporarily, at different stages - he was to win the battle ultimately. Add in the fact that, apart from the occasional break by Derek Savage (who got little space from the superb Michael McCarthy) and it meant the Galway attack was blunted for a considerable part of the game.

After scores were level for the second and last time in the 16th minute, Kerry gradually opened up a gap on the scoreboard, helped by their strength in defence - where Eamonn Fitzmaurice was impressive at centre-back - and Darragh O Se’s ability to win much more ball around midfield and beyond against Kevin Walsh. Russell (who was to be surprisingly withdrawn in the second half), showed a return to his best with a display of point-taking, which was all the more credit to him because Richie Fahy was Galway’s best back all through the opening half. It saw him switching with Kieran Fitzgerald on the other side in an effort to curb the precocious Cooper.

Additionally, the Kerry half-forwards were very productive - much more so than usual it could be said - with newcomer Sean O’Sullivan consolidating an excellent display with a super goal similar to the one scored by Eoin Brosnan against Kildare. From a Galway perspective, it was noteworthy that the likes of Tomas Mannion and Gary Fahy were not imposing themselves on the play in the way normally expected of them. That was a further negative on a day when they never managed to play with the ability and confidence which characterised their last campaign.

Matthew Clancy could have had a goal in the 26th minute (after O’Sullivan had given the ball away at the other end), except that he put his shot over the bar. And, after O’Sullivan made amends by putting the ball I the net two minutes later, Padraig Joyce blazed the ball over the bar from close range and Savage to take a point after one of the few times he got away from McCarthy. It saw Kerry turn over three points in front, 1-9 to 1-6.

There was little change in the trend of the play on the resumption, which saw Galway move Donnellan to centre-forward (where he was marked by Tomas O Se). Fallon was now at midfield, opposing the efficient Donal Daly, but he exerted no more influence than he had at centre-forward and was to be quickly replaced. Again, Kerry showed up better in attack, with Cooper adopting safety-first tactics when opting for a point after just 40 seconds. And, he was denied a goal chance a few minutes later when Brosnan attempted a pass across the face of the goal and Richie Fahy made a vital interception.

Darragh O Se and Moynihan, along with McCarthy continued to play vital roles, Declan O’Keeffe’s handling of the ball was impeccable and newcomer John Sheehan acquitted himself at left half-back. However, it was notable for a period, the delivery of ball into the Kerry forwards was of a poorer quality than what they had enjoyed through the first half. Understandably, it assisted the Galway backs in tightening up and it saw Mannion a bit more involved and Declan Meehan make several darting runs upfield. But, they failed to improve their position at midfield. and Donnellan, whose training had been interrupted by injury, contributed nothing before being replaced.

Five points clear by the 54th minute, following a good score from MacGearailt, Kerry saw their lead narrowed to three in as many minutes. It was the result of more promising play from Galway overall, at a stage when Kerry were not penetrating - and it did look worrying for them briefly. However, MacGearailt’s goal ended whatever slim chance Galway had of saving the game. And, in any case, as a group they never really hinted that they had the belief they could do it!

*Pat McEnaney, currently the highest rated football referee, had a relatively easy job thanks to the admirably positive approach of both teams.

Scorers: Kerry - S. O’Sullivan and A. MacGearailt 1-1 each; C. Cooper and M.F. Russell 0-4 each; D. O Cinneide 0-3 (0-2 frees); T. O Se, E. Brosnan, D. O Se and J. Sheehan 0-1 each. Galway: P. Joyce 0-6 (0-2 frees); M. Donnellan 1-0; D. Savage 0-2; K. Walsh, J. Bergin, M. O Collarain and M. Clancy 0-1 each.

KERRY: D. O’Keeffe; M. O Se, S. Moynihan, M. McCarthy; T. O Se, E. Fitzmaurice, J. Sheehan; D. O Se (capt.), D. Daly; S. O’Sullivan, E. Brosnan, L. Hassett; M.F. Russell, D. O Cinneide, C. Cooper. Subs: A. MacGearailt for Daly (43rd); T. O’Sullivan for Fitzmaurice (46th); J. Crowley for Russell (52nd).

GALWAY: A. Keane; K. Fitzgerald, G. Fahy, R. Fahy; D. Meehan, T. Mannion, S. Og de Paor; K. Walsh, M. Donnellan; P. Clancy, J. Fallon, J. Bergin; D. Savage, P. Joyce (capt.), M. Clancy. Subs: T. Joyce for Fallon (40th minute); T. Meehan for de Paor (50th); M. O Collarain for Fitzgerald and L. O Collarain for Donnellan (56th).

Referee: P. McEnaney (Monaghan).

*Attendance: 59,252.