Cian O'Neill says Kerry panel 'wide open until we get to the championship'

Tipperary manager Niall Fitzgerald was happy with the "bravery" shown by his side in their defeat to Kerry

Armin Heinrich was one of two players, along with the impressive Cillian Trant, to play 70 minutes for Kerry in their challenge game against Tipperary on Saturday. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Champions Under Lights challenge: Tipperary 1-15 Kerry 2-15

Kerry may have completed just five training sessions before Saturday’s Dillon Quirke Foundation fundraiser against Tipperary, but Cian O’Neill was happy to witness the competitive edge.

“Everyone is playing for something,” he remarked after their mix of ‘sub-academy’ squad members and club championship recruits dug out a three-point victory on the Fethard Town Park 4G.

The hosts led approaching the hour mark, but a goal from Beaufort’s Darragh O’Connor restored Kerry’s advantage before two points from former Tipp footballer Seán O’Connell secured the win.

“It's not really about identifying one or two (players) because it's a four-week plan and there'll be more nights. We've another match against Kildare next week up in Newbridge, which will be a great challenge too,” said Kingdom coach O’Neill.

“We're just trying to see can they put into practice in a match scenario what we're working on in practice.

“To give the guys who've been in with us for the last two weeks a chance, it's great for them, number one, to pull on the Kerry jersey, but it's great for us to see them against another inter-county opposition because up to now we've only had five sessions.” 

Jack O’Connor had to make a quick dash away to the Munster GAA Awards, where he accepted the manager of the year prize.

Captain Tadhg Morley was their experienced anchorman as the only player who saw game time in July’s All-Ireland final. He elevated his performance with a fine point from distance before half-time.

Kerry gave game time to eight of last year’s U20s. It would’ve been nine, but Daniel Kirby was a late withdrawal.

They were blended with a sprinkling of club championship call-ups, such as Rathmore full-back Dan Murphy, and three different Darragh O’Connors (from Beaufort, Kenmare Shamrocks, and Kerins O’Rahillys).

Amid nine half-time changes and rolling substitutions, Armin Heinrich and the eye-catching Cillian Trant were the duo to complete 70 minutes.

O’Neill described Kerry’s McGrath Cup approach as a “moveable feast”.

“You'll be seeing a blend of the guys that are back this week and last week from last year's squad, mixed with a blend of the guys who we feel are ready to step up from the sub-academy squad. So it'll still be quite mixed and varied,” he said.

“We've got some long-term injuries, Barry Dan (O’Sullivan), Diarmuid O'Connor, and several others, so it's going to be wide open until we get to the championship really.

“Lads will have lots of opportunities to impress, and that's how it should be for the work they put in.” 

Niall Fitzgerald took his first game as Tipp senior manager following Philly Ryan’s tragic passing. The Clonmel Commercials stalwart was remembered with a half-time presentation to his family from Fethard Town Park, where a tree has been planted in Ryan’s honour.

On the field, former Monaghan sub-keeper Shane Garland, who featured at wing-forward for Kilsheelan-Kilcash in this year’s county final, began between the sticks.

“There was a lot of inexperience, a lot of young players, and what I was really happy to see from them is the bravery that they played with,” said Fitzgerald. 

“That's really encouraging, and we'll iron out the rest of it then.” 

Backed by the breeze, the Kingdom put on a display of fine left-footed point-taking in the first half, including efforts from Donagh O’Sullivan, Paddy Lane, Tomás Kennedy, and Morley.

They created a couple of early goal chances, too, but Ruairí Murphy’s shot smacked the crossbar before flying over. Then, Donal O’Sullivan’s final pass was picked off by Jack Harney.

Seán O’Connor got through on goal for Tipp, only to pull his shot wide. They got back within one point before the Kingdom hit the net from a flowing passing move. Good work by Donagh O’Sullivan, Murphy, and Paddy Lane teed up Castlegregory forward Thomas O’Donnell to tap into an empty net.

O’Donnell and Donagh O’Sullivan added the final points of the half for a 1-8 to 0-6 lead, and Darragh O’Connor (Beaufort) extended the gap to six on the resumption.

Darragh Brennan was a half-time sub for Tipp, and he caught fire with three points in four minutes.

They kept coming. Seán Broderick diverted Niall Heffernan’s goal chance over the bar. Seán O’Connor booted the game’s only two-pointer. Then, Brennan intercepted the ball and took the return from Cian Smith for the lead goal; 1-12 to 1-11. The Ballyporeen forward pulled up before the finish and limped off.

Kerry came chasing a goal with Garland denying two of Kerry’s Darragh O’Connors (from Beaufort and Kerins O’Rahillys). However, the Beaufort O’Connor soon returned for the vital 59th-minute goal.

Scorers for Tipperary: D Brennan (1-3); S O’Connor (0-5, 1tp, 1 free); C Smith (0-4, 2 frees); L Boland, N Heffernan, M Barlow (0-1 each).

Scorers for Kerry: T O’Donnell, D O’Connor (Beaufort) (1-1 each); D O’Connor (Kerins O’Rahillys) (0-3, 2 frees); C Trant, Donagh O’Sullivan (1 free), S O’Connell (0-2 each); T Morley, R Murphy, P Lane, T Kennedy (0-1 each).

TIPPERARY: S Garland; J Harney, E O’Connell, J O’Neill; C King, P Feehan (capt), L Boland; J Higgins, K Costello; K Butler, N Heffernan, B Comerford; C Smith, S O’Connor, P O’Keeffe.

Subs: M McFadden for O’Connell (h-t), D Brennan for Comerford (h-t), M Barlow for O’Keeffe (55), D McVicker for Feehan (64), J Nevin for Harney (64), P Bradshaw for Brennan (70, inj), O’Keeffe for Boland (70).

KERRY (first half): M Tansley; E Healy, D Murphy, L Evans; A Heinrich, T Morley (capt), D Roche; L Smith, C Trant; Donagh O’Sullivan, R Murphy, T O’Donnell; P Lane, Donal O’Sullivan, T Kennedy.

Sub: J Nagle for Roche (33, inj).

KERRY (second half): S Broderick; J Nagle, K O’Sullivan, D O’Connor (Kenmare Shamrocks); A Heinrich, E Healy, S O’Connell; L Smith, C Trant; Donal O’Sullivan, E Boyle, G Hassett; D O’Connor (Beaufort), D O’Connor (Kerins O’Rahillys), C O’Grady.

Subs: R Murphy for Smith (40), D Murphy for Healy (48), T O’Donnell for Donagh O’Sullivan (57).

Referee: W Fitzharris (Tipperary).