Kerry denied by late point

Darragh Ó Sé’s Kerry U21s were denied victory in their opening Hastings Cup tournament tie by a late point for Roscommon in Gort on Saturday.

The Kingdom’s U21s have entered the pre-season tournament to beef up preparations for their Munster Championship campaign in March.

The tournament, organised by the Longford County Board, has 16 counties taking part broken down into groups of four with Kerry grouped with Roscommon, Cavan and Meath.

Kerry were quick out of the traps with two Conor Keane points giving them an early 0-4 to 0-1 lead, but Roscommon enjoyed the better of the second quarter and changed ends leading 0-6 to 0-5.

Points by Dr Crokes’ Micheál Burns, Templenoe’s Brian Crowley and Jack Savage of Kerins O’Rahillys saw the sides on level terms at the three quarter stage but then a Roscommon goal put three points between the sides.

The sides swapped three points each with Crowley, Savage and Dara Roche contributing to Kerry’s total and a point by Micheál Burns in the 59th minute looked to have given Kerry victory.

But Roscommon were not to be denied and salvaged a draw with a late equaliser.

nSelector Diarmuid Murphy will take charge of All-Ireland champions Kerry for next Sunday’s McGrath Cup game against Tralee IT. The majority of the players and management are in South Africa on a team holiday.

Scorers for Roscommon: P. Kenny (0-4, 3 frees), S. Killoran (1-0), N. Gately (0-2, 1 free), C. Compton, R. Daly, K. Farrell, N. Connaughton 0-1 each.

Kerry scorers: M. Burns (0-3), J. Savage (0-3, all frees), B. Crowley, D. Roache, C. Keane 0-2 each, N. Sheehy (0-1).

KERRY: D O’Shea (Ballydonoghue); C Murphy (Rathmore), G Crowley (Templenoe), C Coffey (Kerins O’Rahillys); P O’Conchúir (Dingle), R Murphy (Beaufort), C Jordan (Austin Stacks); B O'Sullivan (Dingle), G Horan (Austin Stacks); M Burns (Dr Crokes), B Crowley (Templenoe), M Flaherty (Dingle); D Roche (Glenflesk), N Sheehy (John Mitchels), C Keane (Legion).

ROSCOMMON: R. Mannion; N. McInerney, S. Mullooly, C. Kenny; K. Farrell, E. McGrath, R. Daly; S. Flynn, T. O’Rourke; K. Kilcline, C. Compton, S. Killoran; K. Finn, P. Kenny, N. Gately.

Subs: C. Hussey for E. McGrath (9 mins, black card), S. Pettit for Hussey (48 mins), N. Connaughton for Gately (50 mins), J. Gannon for Finn (57 mins), E. Fallon for Killoran (61 mins).

Referee: S. Hehir (Galway).