Kerry stroll back into the winner's paddock with win in Kildare

GOALSCORER: Kerry’s David Clifford surrounded by fans after the game. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Kildare 0-17 Kerry 3-22

Kerry arrived in Newbridge knowing that another defeat and that was their All-Ireland title gone and their summer done. It was a prospect that faded within minutes of this Round 2B tie with Jack O’Connor’s side easing their way to a 14-point win.

The three goals, from David Clifford, Diarmuid O’Connor and Gavin White came in the last 16 minutes but don’t think that added some undeserved polish to the scoreline.

They swept their way to victory here without leaving second or third gear.

Harder tasks lie ahead but this was the perfect restorative for a side that lost to Donegal three weeks ago with Jack O’Connor managing to get some minutes into a handful of players who have found them hard to come by in recent months.

Kerry kicked into gear straight away with Graham O’Sullivan opening the scoring not long after the last verse of the national anthem wafted through the sunlit surrounds of a packed ground.

Joe O’Connor added a two-pointer seconds later, just the first of four Kerry would claim in a half where they found time and space time and again in the Kildare third of the pitch and made them pay accordingly.

Boil it all down and this was a game between the reigning champions and a side that will play Division Three football next year, and Kildare found themselves down ten points to two after just 15 minutes of play. Gulp.

Credit to them, they found a response, and kudos to Jack Robinson for that.

The corner-forward kicked five points in the opening period, every one of them a beaut, but it was only enough to hang on to Kerry’s coattails. Jack O’Connor’s side responded to a mini-revival by closing out the first 35 minutes in style.

An eight-point lead at the break was only part of it. Add in three very good goal chances for Dylan Casey, David Clifford and Paul Geaney and the true story of the Kingdom’s dominance was all the more obvious.

Kerry’s Jason Foley and Kevin Feely of Kildare. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie.

The second-half continued on where the first left off with Graham O’Sullivan deprived of a gilt-edged goal chance by his failure to control a through ball from Paudie Clifford. The visitors ploughed on regardless.

There was never any sense of a challenge that needed restraining. Kildare were beaten all ends up all day in the middle of the park and the challenge match sheen to it all was emphasised by the fact that Kerry didn’t need to kick a free all day.

What sparkle there was faded as both sides turned to their benches, the odd temporary change only adding another kink to any hope of a contest, but O’Connor will hardly be bothered by that as they turn back south.

Joe O’Connor, Brian Ó Beaglaoich and Paudie Clifford all got a start and more under their belts here. So did Paul Geaney and Graham O’Sullivan after some concerns over their fitness of late. Paul Murphy and Gavin White were among them to come on.

Kerry have found that defeat can sharpen the minds before. Think of campaigns in 2002, 2006, 2009 and even last year for proof of that. On they go, into the draw for round three and feeling good about themselves again.

Scorers for Kildare: D Kirwan (0-6, 2 2-ptrs); J Robinson (0-5); A Beirne (0-2, 1f); B McLoughlin (0-2 ptr); B Byrne and B Loakman (both 0-1).

Scorers for Kerry: D Clifford (1-3); D Geaney (0-5, 1 2-pt); D O’Connor and G White (1-0 each); P Clifford and B O Beaglaoich (0-3, 1 2-pt); G O’Sullivan and P Geaney (0-2 each); J O’Connor (0-2 ptr); S O’Brien (0-2).

Kildare: E Sheehan; R Burke, M Dempsey, H O’Neill; J McGrath, P Spillane, B Byrne; K Feely, B Gibbons; S Farrell, D Kirwan, C Dalton; B Loakman, A Beirne, J Robinson.

Subs: B McLoughlin for Farrell (44); R Sinkey for Dalton (49); E Cully for Robinson (53); T Gill for O’Neill (62); D Swords for McGrath (64).

Kerry: S Murphy; E Looney, J Foley, D Casey; B Ó Beaglaoich, M Breen, G O’Sullivan; M O’Shea, S O’Brien, J O’Connor, P Clifford, D O’Connor; T Brosnan, D Clifford, D Geaney.

Subs: G White for O Beaglaoich (51); K Evans for P Geaney and T Brosnan for J O’Connor (both 53); A Heinrich for Breen and P Murphy for Looney (both 57); K Spillane for D O’Connor (61); T Morley for Foley (64); T Kennedy for P Clifford (66).

Referee: N Cullen (Fermanagh).