Kerry 3-13
Limerick 2-12 (A.E.T.)
Jackie Cahill reports from the Gaelic Grounds
CONOR GEANEY’S LATE goal sealed a fifth McGrath Cup title for Kerry at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick this afternoon.
The Kingdom needed extra-time on an afternoon that saw ace forward James O’Donoghue limp off with what looked like a serious ankle injury.
The sides were level at 1-11 each at the end of 70 minutes before Kerry finally got the job done in extra-time – with former All-Ireland minor medallist Geaney, who replaced O’Donoghue, netting in the 89th minute to ensure the county’s first McGrath Cup title win since 2013.
Eamonn Fitzmaurice was hopeful at full-time that O’Donoghue’s injury is not too serious – after he was accidentally stamped on the foot, according to the Kerry boss.
The winners also lost Paul Murphy and Gavin Crowley to injuries during the game and Fitzmaurice will keep his fingers crossed that his resources aren’t too depleted for the opening day Allianz League clash with Donegal in a fortnight’s time.
But early-season silverware it is for Kerry, who were made to work hard for it by dogged Limerick, in front of 2,010 spectators on a freezing afternoon.
The sides were level at 1-11 apiece after 70 minutes as Geaney looked to have won it for Kerry with a free before Sean O’Dea, in the fourth minute of stoppage time, ensured two extra ten-minute periods.
The sides traded goals in the first period of extra-time as Barry O’Sullivan netted within 20 seconds of the restart, that Kerry goal cancelled out by Limerick captain Iain Corbett’s penalty goal in the 73rd minute, awarded for Shane Enright’s foul on Danny Neville.
As the teams turned around, Kerry led by 2-13 to 2-12 and Geaney’s well-taken goal, set up by a precise Conor Keane pass, put the end result beyond any doubt.
Geaney was brought on as a 65th minute substitute for former Footballer of the O’Donoghue and made his mark.
For Limerick, who will operate in Division 4 this season, this was an encouraging outing.
They went toe to toe with their much-vaunted opponents for the entire game and despite falling six points behind in the first half and again early in the second, the Shannonsiders worked their way back into contention.
David Moran’s goal for Kerry approaching half-time opened up a 1-6 to 0-3 buffer but Sean McSweeney’s free cut the interval deficit back to five, Limerick trailing by 0-4 to 1-6.
Ahead by 1-8 to 0-5 when O’Donoghue converted a 39th-minute free, Kerry looked in a good position but Limerick registered 1-3 without reply to draw level.
Seamus O’Carroll’s 53rd minute goal levelled matters but crucially, Limerick could never get ahead as the sides were deadlocked on three further occasions down the home straight.
Chances came and went at both ends in a frantic finish before Geaney nailed a 69th minute free to put Kerry ahead.
O’Dea showed real initiative to bomb forward from defence for an equaliser but Kerry did enough in extra-time to claim the honours.
Scorers for Kerry: Conor Geaney 1-2 (0-2f), David Moran 1-1, James O’Donoghue 0-4 (3f), Barry O’Sullivan 1-0, Jonathan Lyne & Barry John Keane (2f) 0-2 each, Paul Murphy & Michael Geaney 0-1 each.
Scorers for Limerick: Iain Corbett 1-2 (1-0 pen), Seamus O’Carroll 1-1, Danny Neville 0-3, Jamie Lee 0-2 (1f), Sean O’Dea, Darragh Treacy, Ger Collins & Sean McSweeney (f) 0-1 each.
Kerry
1. Brendan Kealy (Kilcummin)
2. Shane Enright (Tarbert)
3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue)
4. Killian Young (Renard – captain)
5. Paul Murphy (Rathmore)
6. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe)
7. Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle)
8. David Moran (Kerins O’Rahillys)
9. Jack Barry (Na Gaeil)
10. Jonathan Lyne (Killarney Legion)
11. Jack Savage (Kerins O’Rahillys)
12. Michael Geaney (Dingle)
13. Barry John Keane (Kerins O’Rahillys)
14. Paul Geaney (Dingle)
15. James O’Donoghue (Killarney Legion)
Subs:
18. Gavin Crowley (Templenoe) for Murphy (inj., 30)
17. Brendan Sullivan (Valentia) for Savage (45)
26. Brian Ó Seanacháin (Ballydonoghue) for M Geaney (46)
25. Barry O’Sullivan (Dingle) for Barry (46)
20. Denis Daly (St Marys) for Crowley (inj., 59)
22. Conor Geaney (Dingle) for O’Donoghue (inj., 65)
24. Conor Keane (Killarney Legion) for P Geaney (79)
23. Kevin McCarthy (Kilcummin) for Keane (80)
21. Adrian Spillane (Templenoe) for T O’Sullivan (83)
Limerick
1. Donal O’Sullivan (Monaleen)
2. Daniel Daly (Fr Caseys)
3. Johnny McCarthy (St Kierans)
4. Sean O’Dea (Kilteely Dromkeen)
5. Paul White (Rathkeale)
6. Iain Corbett (Newcastlewest – captain)
7. Paul Hannon (Newcastlewest)
8. Darragh Treacy (St Kieran’s)
19. Brian Fanning (Pallasgreen)
10. Peter Nash (Kildimo Pallaskenry)
15. Seamus O’Carroll (Cappagh)
12. Brian Donovan (Monaleen)
13. Sean McSweeney (St Kierans)
14. Danny Neville (Ballysteen)
11. Ger Collins (Monaleen)
Subs:
24. Jamie Lee (Newcastlewest) for McSweeney (48)
17. Garrett Noonan (Dromcollogher Broadford) for Nash (49)
9. David Ward (Fr Caseys) for Daly (51)
18. Cillian Fahy (Dromcollogher Broadford) for Hannon (60)
25. James Naughton (St Senan’s) for O’Carroll (69)
21. James Bridgeman (St Senan’s) for White (70+1)
23. Cian Sheehan (Newcastlewest) for Collins (75)
20. Padraig Quinn (Monaleen) for Fanning (83)
26. Killian Ryan (Mungret St Pauls) for Treacy (85).
Referee: Alan Kissane (Waterford)
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No need to risk Furlong this Sat, hamstring injures are volatile. Bealham and Healy (for his cap record), then Clarkson and O’Toole on the bench (time to properly test the TOT at LHP idea, + Porter really needs a rest). Poor Baird, last season was fantastic but he cannot get going this season.
@Andrew Slazenger: if you don’t test it this Saturday no point in starting him against Australia next week either
@Andrew Slazenger: i would go Boyle at LH back up – hes quality
How about Tom Aherne on a like for like basis for Baird ? Wild card, I admit ….
@Laup Ekrub: he’s not in the squad and if not baird it’s pendergast or izzy both in the camp and both in great form. Aherne has injured and needs a run of quality games before he makes the Irish squad.
@Laup Ekrub: Has he being called up
@Laup Ekrub: he’s been poor so far this season
@Laup Ekrub: It has to be Izzuchukwu on a like for like basis, Paul Burke (or is it Pual). Ahern is not in the squad so he would not have been part of the meetings or training sessions so far this autumn. He will get his chance
@Paul , you nailed it in one !
@Max: it’s a bit of wishful thinking although I see similarities between both players – time will tell
@anthony davoren: Really? Do expand, with detailed evidence.
Frawley to start and SP to get 30mins
Izzy Ur time is now
That is good news and for Leinster too – they will need Clarkson back for that tricky interpro on the Australia weekend. But I still have memories of an under-developed wonderkid Joey Carbery being smashed by Fiji in a corresponding fixture and the career setback that was for him, and wonder if this is the right game for Sam to start, given his as yet slender(ish) physique?
@John Morris: Should probably give Frawley a chance to redeem himself with Crowley on the bench. Prendergast has plenty of time on his side. Another year’s S and C will hopefully have him physically ready for top class rugby.
@John Morris: the setback for carberry was being persistently injured and not even recurring ones. He just wasn’t durable enough in general. Di t think it was one game that ruined him
@TL55: I agree I’d like Fawley to get a start to rebuild his confidence, otherwise a bit harsh given that he had one bad day at the office
@Ronnie C: wouldn’t be surprised if Frawley starts with Casey and Crowley is on the bench with JGP. Sam has nothing to prove in terms of skill set and probably match temperament- but he needs protection as he grows into that 6’4” height- which is VERY tall for an outhalf in the modern game and making him an upright target. Most of the other out halves lighting up the game at the moment are about 10cm shorter- which is a lot. Jim Hamilton is suggesting he needs another 5-6kg for his height and that seems sensible.
@John Morris: rugby pod
@Gary Galligan: pod pod pod
@John Morris: I still remember that tackle , he was never the same after ! Probably why I’d go Frawley over SP
@John Morris: Barrett is hardly that much shorter. Sexton wasn’t, Healy isn’t, frawley isn’t. Most kids that that are backs that look like they’ll end up tall get moved to back 3. Yes, he’s an upright target but he’s always been. And most 21 year olds naturally have a bit to fill out.
@Ciaran Kennedy: .. only Barrett and Sexton from your list proven at elite level and Sam has 2-3 inches on them. And Frawley lost a lot of his mobility and skill bulking up. All the greats have been 6’ or less – Dan Carter, Jonny W etc and now all 3 French 10s, Marcus Smith, Caleb Muntz , Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga .. surely there is a pattern there regarding the needs of the position?
Keep furlong ready for the aussies
@Shawn: probably needs some game time. In the bench?
@PatN: Agreed. 20-25 minutes off the bench. To facilitate that we need Bealham to start imo as we don’t want to have to bring him on early if one of the less experienced players are being taken to the cleaners
@PatN: if fit for sure just listening to rugby weekly extra bernard jackman has me worrired why do all countriies now hate ireland must be jealousy
@Shawn: Jealousy is a horrible trait Shawn.
@Shawn: a lot NZ’ers are total A wholes in my experience
@Shawn: it is because many have become haughty overbearing pri@ks. Witness the reaction to the last 2 Irish performances in this platform. Beat Arg and lose narrowly to AB yet scathing posts . Read G Thornley in Irish Times today- he wonders where all this entitlement came from, remarking that it doesn’t suit us. I agree wholeheartedly.
@Michael Corkery: the scrum halve did u hear what he said about crowley
@JJB: Yes but we are winning side now lots want us to lose now they can all f.. o.. sorry my spainsh
@Ray Ridge: To be sure
@Shawn: it’s just saffas and kiwis not liking any other nation being talked about as a top side. Some of the irish media love to talk it up, then ireland failing at rwc means we’re gonna get hammered by other fans.
@Patrick O’Sullivan: I shout for england now over SA cant stand their fans not all off course but most
Clarkson has risen in the pecking order
Hoping the average age of the match day squad is a good bit below 30 this weekend!!
Even as a Munster fan I’m hoping Crowley sits this one out. Start one of the others as it will put pressure on Cullen to play him more.
Carberry scored an early cheeky try
thereby making himself target for the day — SP is not that sort of outhalf
I would change the back 3 front row and back row
The mid field centres have yet to show a positive contribution in attack and therefore need game time .
The normal XV lads can sit on the bench for impact (?)
If Ireland woundn’t use C.Prendergast this week, it should make him to go back Galway at once, and he should prepare against Bulls game.