Kerry 2-12
Sligo 1-6

REIGNING CHAMPIONS KERRY cruised into the All-Ireland minor football championship semi-finals with a double score victory over Connacht runners-up Sligo at O’Connor Park in Tullamore.

Kerry were well on their way to victory when they opened up a 1-6 to 0-3 interval lead against a Sligo side who were denied a Connacht title by a later Galway equaliser, before being well beaten in the replay.

Kerry wasted little time in getting on top and the prospects of a shock Sligo win never looked likely when Brian O’Seanachain found the net after just six minutes.

The prize for the holders is a semi-final clash with Derry on August 23 when they will share the billing with their senior side as both Kingdom sides put their titles on the line.

Once again the key figure for Kerry was corner-forward Conor Geaney, a cousin of senior stars Paul and Michael, and the Dingle man finished with 1-4, all but a point coming from play.

Sligo failed to build on a fine early point from Finnian Cawley and Kerry took over once O’Seanachain hit the net and Jack O’Connor’s men pushed on from there to lead by treble scores at the break.

Kerry goalkeeper Billy Courtney denies Kyle Cawley. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Kerry sealed the win at the end of the third quarter when Geaney neatly slotted home after another good move.

Sligo, in fairness, never gave up and were rewarded when Kyle Cawley got a late goal, but Kerry finished the contest on the front foot with three more points.

Scorers for Kerry: C Geaney 1-4 (0-1f), B Ó’Seanacháin 1-0, S O’Shea (1f), G White and D O’Brien 0-2 each, JM Foley and R Buckley 0-1 each.

Scorers for Sligo: K Cawley 1-0, F Cawley (0-1f) & R Kennedy (0-1f) 0-2 each, L Gaughan & C Lally 0-1 each.

Kerry:

1. Billy Courtney (Cr Crokes)

2. Darren Brosnan (Gneeveguilla)
3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue)
4. Jack Morgan (Austin Stacks)

5. Gavin White (Dr Crokes)
6. Mike Breen (Beaufort)
7. Daniel O’Brien (Glenflesk)

8. Andrew Barry (Na Gaeil)
9. John Mark Foley (Kilgarvan)

10. Brandon Barrett (Ardfert)
11. Brian Ó’Seanacháin (Ballydonoghue)
12. Sean O’Shea (Kenmare)

13. Stephen O’Sullivan (Templenoe)
14. Bryan Sweeney (Listowel Emmets)
15.  Conor Geaney (Dingle)

Jack O'Connor's men march into the last four. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Subs:

17. Michael Foley (Spa) for O’Sullivan (44)
18. Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle) for Brosnan (48)
22. Evan Cronin (Spa) for O’Shea (49)
20. Ronan Buckley (Listry) for JM Foley (52)
24. James Duggan (John Mitchels) for Barrett (56)
19. Dara O’Shea (Kenmare) for Breen (57).

Sligo:

1. Conor McGovern (Calry/St Joseph’s)

4. Mark O’Dowd (Enniscrone/Kilglass)
3. Eddie McGuinness (Tubbercurry)
2. Brian Mahon (Owenmore Gaels)

5. Nathan Mullen (Coolaney/Mullinabreena)
6. Darragh Cummins (Calry/St Joseph’s)
7. Michael Gordon (Easkey)

8. Kevin Banks (Coolera/Strandhill)
9. Pail Kilcoyne (St Mary’s)

10. Liam Gaughan (Tourlestrane)
16. Rian Kennedy (Tourlestrane)
12. Finnian Cawley (St Farnan’s)
13.Sean Power (Drumcliffe/Rosses Point)
11. Patrick O’Connor (St Farnan’s)
14. Kyle Cawley (St Mary’s).

Subs:

19. Alan McLoughlin (St Molaise Gaels) for O’Connor (29)
14. Nathan Rooney (St Mary’s) for Mullen (45)
22. Cian Lally (Drumcliffe/Rosses Point) for Banks (53)
20. Cathal Herron (St Molaise Gaels) for Kennedy (58)
23. Oisin Gilmartin (St Michael’s) for McGuinness (58 – bc)

Referee: John Hickey (Carlow)

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