Before we get to the main event there are minor honours to be won at Croke Park. Galway, chasing their first minor crown since 2007, face a Kerry side aiming for a third straight All-Ireland title. Robert Finnerty and David Clifford will carry the main scoring threat for the Tribesmen and Kingdom respectively.
It’s sure to be an entertaining game. Sit back and enjoy.
Here’s how Kerry will line up today:
Kerry
1. Billy Courtney (Dr. Crokes)
2. David Naughten (Dr. Crokes)
3. Niall Collins (Listowel Emmets)
4. Graham O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses)
5. Michael Potts (Dr. Crokes)
6. Daniel O’Brien (Glenflesk)
7. Micheál Foley (Ballydonoghue)
8. Mike Breen (Beaufort)
9. Mark Ryan (Rathmore)
10. Dara Moynihan (Spa)
11. Sean O’Shea (Kenmare)
12. Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gaeil)
13. David Clifford (Fossa)
14. David Shaw (Dr. Crokes)
15. Brian Friel (Rathmore)
Here’s the Galway team:
Galway
1 Cormac Haslam (Glenamaddy)
2 Liam Boyle (Kilkerrin/Clonberne)
3 Sean Mulkerrin (Oileann Arainn)
4 Eoin McFadden (Salthill/Knocknacarra)
5 Adam Quirke (Annaghdown)
6 Ernán McDonagh (Bearna)
7 Fionnán Garvey (Monivea/Abbey)
8 Cein D’Arcy (Caherlistrane)
9 John Maher (Salthill/Knocknacarra)
10 Finian Ó Laoi (An Spideal)
11 Evan Murphy (Salthill/Knocknacarra)
12 Ryan Forde (Annaghdown)
13 Robert Finnerty (Salthill/Knocknacarra)
14 Sean Raftery (Glenamaddy)
15 Desmond Conneely (Maigh Cuilinn)
2 mins – Kerry 0-1 Galway 0-0
Looks like we’re set for a really open game of football. Sean O’Shea converts a free to put Kerry in front.
5 mins – Kerry 0-1 Galway 0-0
The’s plenty of water on the surface today. Whichever team can execute the basic skills better will come out on top.
15 mins – Kerry 0-1 Galway 0-0
Galway will be very happy with their start so far, but they’ve kicked five wides so far and are yet to score. Kerry haven’t played yet.
Kerry goalkeeper Billy Courtney was very fortunate not to concede an embarrassing goal as Sean Raftery somehow fisted a ball towards the goal, while Courtney had turned his back to get another ball for a kickout.
GOAL! Sean O’Shea’s shot at goal was turned into the net as Diarmuid O’Connor contested the high ball with Galway goalkeeper Cormac Haslam.
20 mins – Kerry 1-1 Galway 0-1
Desmond Conneely kicks Galway’s first score after 20 minutes from a free. They’re finally off the mark.
GOAL! David Shaw finds the net! Kerry lead by six!
22 mins – Kerry 2-1 Galway 0-1
Dara Moynihan’s neat crossfield ball created havoc in the Galway full-back line and David Clifford slipped in Shaw for the goal.
29 mins – Kerry 2-2 Galway 0-2
Cein D’Arcy doubles Galway’s tally as Shaw responds with one for the Kingdom.
Half-time: Kerry 2-2 Galway 0-2
Galway dominated much of the opening 15 minutes but couldn’t capitalise on the scoreboard. Kerry’s two goals and strong defence leaves them in a very strong position at the interval.
31 mins – Kerry 2-2 Galway 0-4
Excellent start to the second-half by Galway. Adam Quirke and Finnerty have reduced the gap to four.
David Clifford kicks Kerry’s seventh wide. Galway are on nine.
The Tribesmen have set-up better defensively in the second-half. They’ve made a couple of changes and their tackling has improved.
SAVE! Cormac Haslam pulls off a fine save from Moynihan to keep Galway in the game.
40 mins – Kerry 2-2 Galway 0-5
Finnerty slots over another free for Galway. Kerry are yet to score in this half.
41 mins – Kerry 2-4 Galway 0-5
Niall Collins kicks a fine score for Kerry. Moments later Sean O’Shea drills over a fantastic score.
44 mins – Kerry 2-4 Galway 0-6
Moynihan sends one over to leave Kerry four in front with 15 minutes remaining.
47 mins – Kerry 2-4 Galway 0-7
Another score from Finnerty reduces the gap to three.
50 mins – Kerry 2-4 Galway 0-8
Conneely’s free from a tight angle makes it a two point game. Nine minutes left.
Kerry are playing keep ball inside their own half. They’ve scored just two points since half-time.
GOAL! David Clifford sinks one in the net after a winding run from just inside the halfway line. This guy is sensational.
53 mins – Kerry 3-4 Galway 0-8
Clifford has stepped him just when Kerry needed him most. What a finish that was.
57 mins – Kerry 3-4 Galway 0-9
Cunningham converts a good free for Galway. There’s only four points between the teams now.
59 mins – Kerry 3-4 Galway 0-9
Moynihan has worked so hard today and he gets another score for Kerry. A player in the mold of Donnchadh Walsh.
60+6 mins – Kerry 3-7 Galway 0-9
Sean O’Shea sends over a final free for Kerry.
Full-time: Kerry 3-7 Galway 0-9
Kerry retain their All-Ireland minor football title!
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Ok – Kerry keeper blessed he doesn’t look like a fool. We he is but a lucky one. Ball looked dead but the Galway full forward got a fist to it and it was crossing the line while he keeper is trotting back to get his kicking tee and just got a foot to it. Nuts
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If yours is mine is too
What a strange game
What a goal – Kerry needed that
Kerry 1 point up and Galway lucky to get away without getting a yellow. Rain started and beginning to influence the play.
I can understand hawkeye for hurling, but these umpires are blind especially the davin end
That was a really weird game. Hungrier team lost to the more skill full one. Kerry made lots of unforced errors and Galway were well in it until Clifford’s goal with 10 mins to go. Galway played with way more intensity
Very strange game. Kerry very complacent and yet Galway could be ahead except for some woeful shooting. Galway look hungrier and more determined but yet Kerry 2 goals up. Lots of slipping and handling errors due to the rain.
Very disappointing display from the Tribesmen….so defensive ….nothing like the open football we are used to from the men from the west. Goal of the championship from Mr Clifford.
Two huge calls by the ref kerry 11 should have got black and galway man should only have got a yellow at most
I agree with you on both calls but the Galway player was his second yellow and hence the red
Don’t let the facts get in the way of your blind, irrational hated of Kerry John!
@summer Bay i said kerry 11 should have got a black card and Galway player deserved only a yellow at best now how does that show as you said “irrational hadtred of kerry” please take your head out your arse you clown!!!
And he did get a yellow. You’re comedy gold John. Don’t ever change.
Your a laugh a minute summer bay deluded but great crack LOL
This ref is very one sided