Collins seals it for Kerry

A late brace of points from Daniel Collins Kerry progressed to the All-Ireland MBHC final following an absorbing clash in Moneygall on Saturday.

The Kingdom quickly opened an eight-point lead, thanks to a seventh minute Cian Hussey goal and points from Niall Kenny, Ricky Heffernan, Paul McGrath and Michael O’Leary. Kildare hit back though with scorer-in-chief Gerry Keegan netting a 22nd minute goal before Evan Dempsey reduced the gap to three with their second goal in the 27th minute.

Kerry led 1-13 to 2-7 at the break and maintained their advantage throughout the second half despite Kildare’s best efforts.

Despite losing Ryan Casey in the 53rd minute after a second yellow-card offence, Kildare kept battling and were rewarded when Gerry Keegan equalised with a cracking goal on the stroke of full-time.

Kerry responded in style though, with successive injury-time points from Collins sealing their victory.

Scorers for Kerry: R. Heffernan 0-6 (0-4f, 0-1 65); M. O’Leary 0-5; P. McGrath 0-3 (0-1f); C. Hussey 1-0; D. Collins 0-3; T. Casey, B O’Leary and D. Goulding 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kildare: G. Keegan 2-5 (0-2f); E. Dempsey 1-1; N. Kenny 0-3; K. Murphy 0-2; R. Casey 0-1.

KERRY: J. Wallace, C. Savage, D. Fitzell, K. Hanafin; T. McElligott, D. Collins, Tommy Casey; D. Goulding, B. O’Leary; K. Carmody, R. Heffernan, M. O’Leary; C. Hussey, Thomas Casey, P. McGrath.

Subs: F. Horgan for McElligott (h/t); P. Lucid for Thomas Casey (41); D. Carroll for Fitzell (56).

KILDARE: S. Nolan, S. O’Rourke, S. O’Flynn, Stephen Ryan; D. Flaherty, R. Doyle, K. Murphy; S. Christensen, G. Savage; Shane Ryan, N. Kenny, P. Moran; R. Casey, , E. Dempsey, G. Keegan.

Subs: G. Johnson for Stephen Ryan (16); P. McKenna for Shane Ryan (43); A. Burchill for Moran (58)

Referee: C. Browne (Galway).