Kerry's crisis continues

Kerry failed to hang onto a goal lead early in the second half as Wicklow pinched a 0-15 to 2-07 victory over the Kingdom in Section 2B of the Christy Ring Cup.

The defeat - Kerry's second of the competition - will only serve to deepen the hurling crisis within the county. The Under-21s failed to field a team recently and Kilmoyley withdrew their seven players from the senior county panel last week.

In the wake of Kerry manager Jerry Molyneaux’s criticism of the club, Kilmoyley took their players out of inter-county action. Molyneaux had hit out at Kilmoyley for arranging one of their training sessions on the same night as that of the county panel’s, but the row could be about to end.

Molyneaux declared after today's game that “no doors are closed on any players within the county” and that he has “no problem sitting down" with members of the Kilmoyley club to iron out their differences next week.

In a rain-hit Arklow, Ballyduff attacker Mikey Boyle was quick to rattle in Kerry's first goal on 17 minutes, batting home the rebound of a a John Egan through ball.

The hosts went 0-02 to no score in front with points from Denis Moran and Jonathan O’Neill. Kerry replied with an Andrew Keane score off his left side, and a goal and free from Boyle, who struck 2-00 in the Kingdom's defeat to Kildare.

But points from Jonathan O’Neill, Leighton Glynn and John Keogh (0-02) saw Wicklow back on terms at 1-04 to 0-07 by the half’s end.

As the rain pelted down, a ’65 delivery from Michael Conway found its way into the Wicklow net to push Kerry three points in front – three minutes into the second half.

But the visitors could only manage three more points, two from top scorer Conway (1-5) and John Mike Dooley. Wicklow, on top in the possession and territory stakes, bossed the closing quarter-hour as O’Neill, Keogh and Moran pointed to guide their side up to second in the table.

Kildare wracked up their third successive win, beating Mayo by 2-19 to 1-12 to maintain their run at the top of Section 2B. Elsewhere, there were away wins for Down and Antrim over Roscommon and Meath respectively in Section 2A. The Saffrons top the table courtesy of their +53 points difference.

Antrim were too good for Meath in Navan as they cut loose for a 3-12 to 0-13 win. Liam Watson bagged two of the visitors' goals with Ciaran Herron also on target.

Eoin Clarke, Stephen Clarke and Brendan Ennis each raised a green flag for Down in their 3-21 to 0-12 triumph over Roscommon in Athleague.

GAA: HURLING RESULTS -

CHRISTY RING CUP

SECTION 2A –

Roscommon 0-12 Down 3-21, Athleague

Meath 0-13 Antrim 3-12, Pairc Tailteann

SECTION 2B –

Mayo 1-12 Kildare 2-19, Castlebar

Wicklow 0-15 Kerry 2-7, Arklow