Canny South Kerry cruise into decider

THE scoreline suggests a tight, gripping clash but that statistic conceals the reality behind yesterday’s Kerry SFC semi-final clash at Austin Stack Park in Tralee.

South Kerry wound up with only two points to spare at the finish but the devil’s in the detail – Stacks only narrowed the gap from five points when Kieran Donaghy drilled home a penalty in the sixth minute of injury time. Referee Eddie Walsh called a halt to proceedings immediately after to confirm what looked inevitable as the second-half drifted on – South Kerry’s presence in the county decider in two weeks time.

This was a triumph for experience. South Kerry may not have hit full speed during the hour, but in the economy of their shooting, their movement of the ball and their restriction of the space available to Austin Stacks offence, the divisional team displayed serious football nous. That their two primary scoring machines produced the goods again was also critical. Bryan Sheehan’s impeccable free-taking guided South Kerry ahead on the scoreboard throughout the game and he also launched over a stunning sideline kick in the 8th minute.