Buckley’s ring of confidence

Kerry 4-22 IT Tralee 0-10

“Job done,” was the Finuge man’s immediate reaction. “Of course fellas were going to be rusty, it’s only the 5th of January, but we’re up and running and have another game next weekend [against UCC] to look forward to. The longer we can stay in the McGrath Cup the better it is in terms of preparation for the league.”

In truth this was a contest only for about ten minutes. Impressive corner-forward Paul Geaney had the ball in the IT Tralee net inside the opening minute thanks to good build up play by Darran O’Sullivan. But points from wing-forwards Darren Wallace and Brendan Pott had the students back to within a point after eight minutes. That was it though, end of challenge. With Paul Geaney’s cousin Michael adding a second goal (27th minute), Paul notching his second and Kerry’s third (32, midfielder Kieran Donaghy a central figure in both), a variety of players adding points, Kerry had built a match-winning lead (3-9 to 0-4) by the break.