Kerry men in red hot form

Kerry men in red hot form

7 March 2012

DOWN ped to the bottom of the Allianz NFL Division 1 table following this six points defeat by Kerry at Pairc Esler on Sunday.

In a game that they could have salvaged something from, it was the poor finishing which was most evident, especially in the first half when seven good chances were sent wide.

Allied to sloppy passing and easily giving away hard won possession, this all contributed to what can only be described as a most disappointing display by the Mourne men.

In an overworked Down defence, Peter Turley, in the unusual position of full back, held Kerry star full forward Kieran Donaghy scoreless while Aidan Brannigan and Damian Turley, as well as Conor Garvey, who was unfortunate to receive a second yellow card late in the game, worked overtime at the back.

Dan Gordon was most impressive at midfield and was Down’s best player scoring two points. The attack, quite truthfully, was a big disappointment. Benny Coulter for the third game inn succession failed to score. Arthur McConville on his senior debut showed up well as did Conor Laverty with Mark Poland by far Down’s best attacker.

The first half was a low scoring affair with both sides shooting several wides. Down opened with a Mark Poland point after two minutes when his effort was caught in the breeze and bounced over the Kerry ‘keeper’s head and over the bar.

Kerry levelled through Barry John Keane, who then pointed a free to give Kerry the lead. Down levelled after 15 minutes through Danny Hughes after a pass from Arthur McConville.

Dan Gordon restored the Down lead with a brilliant long range point after 20 minutes, but three minutes later Brian Sheehan levelled from a 45. Kerry then moved up a gear and James O’Donoghue missed a great goaling chance before Barry John Keane and Brian Sheehan from a free had Kerry points as they led by 0-5 to 0-3 at half-time.

Down restarted strongly and after Peter Turley had missed a long range free, Mark Poland pointed after three minutes to narrow the gap to a point.

Danny Hughes missed a good chance to level the game before Declan O’Sullivan and Arthur McConville exchanged points.

The brilliant O’Sullivan and equally brilliant Dan Gordon exchanged points as one point still separated the sides after ten minutes.

However, in a three minute spell midway through the half Kerry slotted over four points which gave them a five points advantage. Brian Sheehan pointed a free and then added another from play while Patrick Curtin and Declan O’Sullivan had one each.

Down fought back with two Mark Poland points, which proved to be their last scores. The final 15 minutes saw Kerry add three unanswered points as they strolled to a six point win. Conor Garvey received a second yellow and was sent off five minutes from time.

Down: B. McVeigh, O. Costello, P. Turley, D. McCartan, C. Garvey, A. Brannigan, D. Turley, D. Gordon (0-2), K. King, D. Hughes (0-1), A. McConville (0-1 free), M. Poland (0-4, 0-3 frees), B. Coulter, C. Laverty. C. Maginn. Subs: G. McCartan for Costello (34), A. Rogers for P. Turley (51), E. McCartan for Maginn (51), K. McKernan for King (61).

Kerry: B. Kealy, M. O’Shea, D. Bohane, K. Young, P. Crowley, A. O’Mahoney, B. Maguire, A. Maguire, B. Sheehan (0-6, 0-4 frees, 0-1 45), P. Galvin, B. J. Keane (0-4), D. O’Sullivan (0-3), J. O’Donoghue, K. Donaghy, P. Curtin (0-1). Subs: E. Brosnan for O’Mahoney (58), M. Geaney for O’Donoghue (68), S. Scanlon for Maher (69), J. Lyne for Maguire (69).

Down 0-8

Kerry 0-14