Kerry keep Galway out of NFL final

Kerry 2-15 Galway 1-11

For the second year running, Galway have missed out on a place in the NFL Division 1 final on scoring difference following today's seven-point defeat at the hands of Kerry in Tralee.

Kerry, already through to the final before the throw-in, scored two goals early in the second half through Tommy Walsh and Kieran Donaghy to crush the Tribesmen's hopes.

Michael Meehan was the scorer-in-chief for the visitors, finishing with 0-7, and Padraic Joyce (1-1) slammed home a late goal, but Kerry were worthy winners.

In front of a huge crowd, Kerry had the wind advantage in the first half and midfielder Anthony Maher made an early impression under the high ball.

A Declan O'Sullivan point after six minutes opened the scoring for Kerry, before Meehan replied for Galway with a free.

In a low-scoring half, the Kingdom led 0-5 to 0-4 at the interval.

Galway broke into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead, with Meehan and Paul Conroy on target but Walsh replied.

Twin targets Walsh and Donaghy both missed early goal-scoring chances but after Meehan boosted his side's tally, O'Sullivan and Colm Cooper (free) were quick to respond.

Jack O'Connor's men opened the second half in terrific fashion.

They roared into a 2-7 to 0-4 lead as Paul Galvin added his name to the point-scorers and Walsh (37 minutes) and Donaghy (40) registered their goals.

Galway could do little to respond as Cooper (2), Darren O'Sullivan and Sean O'Sullivan tagged on further points for Kerry, who brought on Darragh O Se to a great ovation.