Two goals for David Clifford as Kerry eventually rouse themselves in Navan stroll

Kerry got their first goal in almost 500 minutes of football in a low-key fixture

David Clifford takes on Meath's Cillian O'Sullivan at Páirc Tailteann in Navan. Pic: Stephen Marken/Sportsfile

All-Ireland SFC: Meath 0-9 Kerry 2-18 

A pig of a game but Kerry’s first goal in almost 350 minutes of football was one highlight in their visit to Navan.

David Clifford’s 48th minute goal, a move that was initiated by a Joe O’Connor interception, was Kerry’s first score of the second half on an afternoon when they accumulated 13 wides and dropped three short.

Meath had produced the only two scores of the half up to that point but the goal was enough for Kerry to keep them beyond arm’s length for what was left.

Joe O’Connor gave a fine account of himself in the middle of the park but there were one, possible two more in Tom O’Sullivan and Brian Ó Beaglaoich who could claim their displays were anything more than adequate watched by a 8,224 attendance in Páirc Tailteann.

That included top scorer David Clifford who was off with four other scoring chances before he dribbled in a second goal to in the last minute of regulation time.

A drab first half was won by Kerry by seven points, 0-10 to 0-3. Meath’s conversion rate, just over 20%, was pathetic. The cross-field wind, while difficult, was no excuse when Kerry were dealing with the same elements at the other end.

Joe O’Connor with Meath's Ronan Jones.

Meath’s shooting was partly bad decision-making, partly dreadful execution and Kerry were out of sight on the turnaround. That they didn’t have to be brilliant was a poor reflection on the hosts.

Kerry’s first four scores came from defenders and midfielders as Meath looked to overpopulate their half of the field and frustrate Kerry. However, Kerry’s recycling play was strong and their long-range shooters were judging the wind well.

Eoghan Frayne’s third point and second from play had brought Meath to within two points in the 22nd minute but then Kerry finished out the half with five on the trot.

After Seán O’Shea’s first accurate effort, Tom O’Sullivan and Tony Brosnan sent over their second points although the latter’s was disputable. Brian Ó Beaglaoich swung over a couple before the interval to bring his tally to three.

Scorers for Meath: E. Frayne (0-4, 2 frees); M. Costello (0-2, 1 free); S. Coffey, J. O’Connor, C. Caulfield (0-1 each).

Scorers for Kerry: D. Clifford (2-2, 0-1 free); B. Ó Beaglaoich, S. O’Shea (1 free, 1 45) (0-3 each); T. Brosnan, T. O’Sullivan (0-2 each); D. O’Connor, J. O’Connor, P. Geaney, D. Moynihan, K. Spillane (mark), P. Clifford (0-1 each).

MEATH: B. Hogan; R. Ryan, A. O’Neill, D. Keogan; D. Campion; C. Caulfield, B. O’Halloran, S. Ryan; C. Hickey, C. Gray; M. Murphy, S. Coffey; C. O’Sullivan, M. Costello (c), E. Frayne.

Subs for Meath: R. Jones for C. Gray, J. Morris for M. Murphy (both h-t); J. O’Connor for C. O’Sullivan (47); C. McBride for S. Coffey (54); R. Ryan for D. Campion (58).

KERRY: S. Ryan; D. Casey, J. Foley, T. O’Sullivan; B. Ó Beaglaoich, M. Breen, G. White; D. O’Connor, J. O’Connor; T. Brosnan, P. Clifford (c), C. Burke; D. Clifford, S. O’Shea, P. Geaney 

Subs for Kerry: D. Moynihan for C. Burke (49); K. Spillane for P. Geaney, D. Geaney for T. Brosnan (both 55); A. Spillane for D. O’Connor, S. O’Brien for M. Breen (both 61).

Referee: L. Devenney (Mayo).