Dublin take Tralee after epic turnaround stuns Kerry

Dublin turned around an 11-point half-time deficit in Austin Stack Park

Kerry’s Micheal Burns and Paul Geaney with Seán MacMahon and David Byrne of Dublin. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Allianz NFL: Kerry 1-3-12 (18) Dublin 0-4-11 (19) 

The classic tale of two halves in Tralee as Dublin turned around an 11-point half-time deficit to claim a first win over Kerry in Austin Stack Park since 1982.

Kerry kicked just three second-half points in a game defined by the wind and each team’s onslaught on the goalposts at the John Mitchels’ end of the grounds.

Substitute Luke Breathnach’s point two minutes from the end of full-time was the difference for a Dublin side that had trailed by four points with just over five minutes left on the stop clock.

All three of Kerry’s two-point efforts in the first half went over the bar but Dublin’s first three after the turnaround were off target. However, the 11-point margin at the interval was sliced to five points by the 53rd minute.

It was Kerry’s turn to suffer facing the elements and being outscored seven points to one in the third quarter was hardship. David Clifford was introduced in the 51st minute but their second point of the half didn’t come until a Dublin three-up infringement in the 59th minute was highlighted by the crowd and Seán O’Shea sent over the free.

Eoghan O'Donnell of Dublin in action against Brian Ó Beaglaoich of Kerry during the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Kerry and Dublin at Austin Stack Park in Tralee, Kerry. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Kerry remained four up thanks to an agile Shane Ryan who kept out Seán Bugler’s low palmed attempt in the 64th minute. But the gap closed to two a minute later when substitute Lorcan O’Dell sent over his side’s third two-pointer. His second two minutes later tied up the game before another sub Breathnach put Dublin for the first and last time.

Dublin were seeking their first win over Kerry at this venue in 43 years when the hosts were still reeling from Seamus Darby’s famous goal two months previous. The closest they had come to ending that wait came in 2017 when Paul Mannion’s additional time point ensured a share of the spoils and stretched Dublin’s unbeaten run to 34 games.

Micheál Burns, arguably the best club player in Kerry last season after being dropped from the panel this time last year, marked his return to the Kerry squad as a late starter for injured Dylan Geaney and with the game’s first point, one of two he offered in the opening half.

Dublin made three 11th hour changes including goalkeeper Evan Comerford for Gavin Sheridan. Comerford was appearing for the first time since last year’s Division 1 final having torn his cruciate in a club game.

The only mystery of the first half was how Comerford kept a clean sheet up to the 32nd minute was the volume of assaults on his goal. Joe O’Connor (wide), Paul Geaney (blocked and advanced mark) and Darragh Lyne (post) all had opportunities.

By the time Paul Geaney pounced on a high ball broken down by Comerford to find the net, Kerry were already nine points to the good. Dublin simply couldn’t get enough purchase on their kick-outs into the breeze, losing seven of 13, and the Kerry press was suffocating.

Three times in the first half, they landed two-pointers, two for Seán O’Shea and another for Brian Ó Beaglaoich. But it could have been so much more as their quick breaks from turnover ball caught Dublin on their heels.

Joe O’Connor’s wide from a low drive in the eighth minute was infuriating for Paudie Clifford whose was unmarked at the other side of the square. At least Geaney compensated for a blocked shot with a point from the mark he caught in the 18th minute but Darragh Lyne could have done better in the 28th minute when he fisted against the post as a green flag beckoned.

The half-time scoreline, 1-12 to 0-4, was a fair reflection of a period where Dublin constantly recycled, often too much, to get a shooter in the right spot kicking into the wind.

Greg McEneaney scored half of his side’s four-point total but was replaced at the break. Eoghan O’Donnell’s power earned him a 22nd minute point yet it was slim pickings otherwise for the visitors.

Scorers for Kerry: S. O’Shea (0-7, 2 tps, 0-2 frees); P. Geaney (1-1, 0-1 mark); M. Burns, B. Ó Beaglaoich (1 tp) (0-2 each); G. O’Sullivan, C. Geaney, P. Clifford (0-1 each).

Scorers for Dublin: S. Bugler (1 free), L. O’Dell (2 tps (0-4 each); C. Kilkenny (0-3, 1 tp); G. McEneaney, L. Gannon (tp), L. Breathnach (0-2 each); E. O’Donnell, T. Lahiff (0-1 each).

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

Subs for Kerry: D. Casey for T. O’Sullivan (inj 9); C. Ó Beaglaoich for D. Lyne (46); A. Heinrich for B. Ó Beaglaoich (temp 47-ft); D. Clifford for C. Geaney (51); K. Evans for M. Burns (59); S. O’Brien for J. O’Connor (65).

DUBLIN: E. Comerford; A. Gavin, D. Byrne, S. MacMahon; B. Howard, T. Clancy, C. Murphy; G. McEneaney, T. Lahiff; K. Lahiff, S. Bugler, C. Kilkenny; S. Lowry, E. O’Donnell, N. Scully.

Subs for Dublin: L. Gannon for G. McEneaney (h-t); L. Breathnach for S. Lowry (45); L. O’Dell for K. Lahiff (53); N. O’Callaghan for E. O’Donnell (58); D. Keogh for L. Gannon (63).

Referee: L. Devenney (Mayo)