O’Rahilly’s hang on to see off Dingle challenge

THERE was nothing surprising about the outcome of the first of the Kerry SFC quarter-finals in Tralee yesterday, just that it stretched the resources of a Kerins O’Rahilly’s side hampered by the absence of the injured Tommy Walsh more than expected.

In the circumstances, early goals from Declan Quill and Timmy O’Sullivan were to sustain them in the face of a strong second-half Dingle challenge.

At the break, Kerins O’Rahilly’s were in front by 2-3 to 0-2 and the Dingle management reacted by making one change at corner back (in an effort to limit Keane) and introducing Paul Devane and Mike Geaney up front. The moves worked well and with the score at 2-6 to 0-6 at the three-quarters, O’Rahilly’s seemed to run out of steam. The net effect was that after two good scores from Donie Ryan and a free from Daithí Geaney, there was the real possibility of a Dingle recovery. Sensing the danger, the favourites moved up a gear and three late scores ensured victory.