GAA: Kerry remain on course for back-to-back titles

Kerry 2-12, Dublin 1-12 (full-time)

Kerry are on course for back-to-back All-Ireland titles after defeating old enemies Dublin in their quarter-final replay at Semple Stadium.

Corner-forward Johnny Crowley contributed 2-2 to the Kingdom's win.

Dublin started the better, with their midfield working well and there was only one point apiece on the scoreboard after 10 minutes.

However, on 13 minutes a pass from Mike Frank Russell saw last week's man-of-the-match Johnny Crowley put it past Dublin's Damian Byrne.

The goal settled the Kerry team as Mike Frank Russell, Dara O'Cinneide and Noel Kennelly put over unanswered scores for the Kingdom.

In the 17th minute, Dessie Farrell grabbed a respite for Dublin and took them to two points, but a Dara O'Cinneide free put six between the sides.

On 21 minutes, Johnny Crowley struck again with a goal not unlike his first to put three clear goals between the sides.

Like last week's game, Dublin dominated the play in the final stages of the half, but manager Tommy Carr had to watch from the stand as his team again failed to convert chances into scores.

Declan Darcy grabbed Dublin's third point in the 31st minute from a free. He then added another after Jason Sherlock was brought down.

However, Mike Frank Russell scored his second of the day just before the interval to bring their lead back to eight points.

Ciaran Whelan cut it to seven with a point in the dying minutes.

Colin Moran started the second half with a point for Dublin and minutes later was moving towards goal when he was brought down by Tomas O'Se, who was sent off for the offence.

Darcy scored from the resulting free. Johnny Crowley scored his first point after his two first-half goals but Dublin continued to pile on the pressure and to use the space provided by the extra man.

Jason Sherlock put another over and minutes later Darren Homan beat Declan O'Keeffe to for a Dublin goal to cut Kerry's lead to four points.

Dublin had introduced Senan Connell and Vinny Murphy at this stage and their presence strengthened the forwards.

However the biggest roar from the crowd was for supersub Maurice Fitzgerald who came on for Eoin Brosnan.

Paul Curran scored from play to cut the Kingdom's lead to a solitary goal.

But Cahirciveen-man Fitzgerald put his first over the bar and Crowley followed up with another point to leave a five-point gap with 15 minutes to go.

Dublin again came back through Senan Connell and minutes later Colin Moran was unlucky as his shot hit the upright, rebounded and was cleared by the Kerry backs.

Wayne McCarthy had the chance to cut the lead to a goal from a placed ball with seven minutes to go, but put the ball wide.

Dublin continued to make changes - Colin Moran was replaced by Neil O'Donoghue and Ciaran Whelan began to make bursting runs through midfield.

But Mike Frank Russell put another over the bar to extend Kerry's lead to five points with five minutes to go.

Neil O'Donoghue went for goal with three minutes to go after Declan O'Keeffe committed himself but the ball was deflected, much to the anguish of the Dublin supporters.

Wayne McCarthy scored from the resulting 45 and then scored one from play, but it wasn't enough for the Leinster finalists, who were unable to conjure a second comeback in as many weeks.

Kerry now go on to play the winners of the replay between Meath and Westmeath, which takes place in Croke Park later this evening.