There was a novel clash in Croke Park today as Kerry and Cavan met for the first time in the senior championship since 1997.
We had all the action.
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RESULT: Kerry 0-15 Cavan 0-9
Welcome to Croke Park for today’s meeting of Kerry and Cavan. Throw in was meant to be 2pm but we can tell that has now been put back due to extra-time being played in the All-Ireland minor quarter-final between Tyrone and Kerry. Tyrone currently lead 0-15 to 1-9 in that game.
Both Kerry and Cavan are out on the field as we build up to this afternoon’s first All-Ireland senior football quarter-final.
Here’s the Kerry team that is named to start in this game.
KERRY: Brendan Kealy (Kilcummin); Fionn Fitzgerald (Dr Crokes), Marc Ó Sé (An Gaeltacht), Shane Enright (Tarbert); Tomás Ó Sé (An Gaeltacht), Killian Young (Renard), Peter Crowley (Laune Rangers); Anthony Maher (Duagh), Johnny Buckley (Dr Crokes); Paul Galvin (Finuge), Colm Cooper (Dr Crokes), Donnchadh Walsh (Cromane); Declan O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses), Kieran Donaghy (Austin Stacks), Darran O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar).
And here’s the Cavan team that is named to start.
CAVAN: Alan O’Mara (Bailieborough Shamrocks); Thomas Corr (Denn), Rory Dunne (Redhills), Killian Clarke (Shercock); Jason McLoughlin (Shannon Gaels), Alan Clarke (Kingscourt), Ronan Flanagan (Castlerahan); Damien O’Reilly (Belturbet), David Givney (Mountnugent); Cian Mackey (Castlerahan), Jack Brady (Ramor United), Feargal Flanagan (Butlersbridge); Martin Reilly (Killygary), Martin Dunne (Cavan Gaels), Eugene Keating (Saint Sylvesters).
The teams are finishing up their preparations as we get set to commence this game. There’s a massive Cavan contingent here in Croke Park. They’ll have plenty supporters cheering on the Breffni County.
Cavan 0-1 Kerry 0-0: 3 mins – Cavan get off the mark early on with a neat point by their attack talisman Martin Dunne.
Late changes on both teams with David Moran in for Kerry and Dara McVeety in for Cavan.
Kerry 0-2 Cavan 0-1: 8 mins – Foul on Declan O’Sullivan and Johnny Buckley confidently slots over the resultant free for Kerry.
Kerry 0-3 Cavan 0-1: 9 mins – Another great kick by Buckley, this time from a ’45, and Kerry’s lead is increased.
Kerry 0-4 Cavan 0-1: 11 mins – Another ’45, another kick by Buckley and another point for Kerry.
Kerry 0-5 Cavan 0-1: 14 mins – Colm Cooper fires over a free for Kerry after Darran O’Sullivan was fouled. Rain starting to fall here in Croke Park.
Cavan surge forward but miss a point scoring chance as Jason McLoughlin kicks a wide.
Cavan’s defence is doing well though, Rory Dunne just broke a high ball impressively away from Kieran Donaghy.
Kerry 0-8 Cavan 0-1: 24 mins – Kerry flex their muscles and hit Cavan for three quick points from Donnchadh Walsh, Declan O’Sullivan and Kieran Donaghy.
Kerry 0-9 Cavan 0-1: 26 mins – There’s real daylight between the teams now as Colm Cooper knocks over a free to send Kerry eight points clear.
The Cavan fans are quiet here in Croke Park, they’ve had little to cheer about in this first-half.
Kerry 0-9 Cavan 0-2: 29 mins – Better from Cavan as midfielder David Givney is on the mark from play with a point.
Kerry 0-10 Cavan 0-2: 30 mins – Kerry hit back though with an excellent free by Colm Cooper.
Half-Time: Kerry 0-11 Cavan 0-2: And that’s how it stands at the break with Kerry in a commanding position.
Kerry 0-11 Cavan 0-3: 37 mins – Niall McDermott knocks over an early free for Cavan.
Kerry 0-11 Cavan 0-4: 40 mins – McDermott on target again from a free after Martin Dunne was fouled.
Kerry 0-12 Cavan 0-4: 41 mins – Kerry reassert their authority with a free from Colm Cooper.
Kerry 0-12 Cavan 0-5: 43 mins – It’s been a brighter start to the second-half by Cavan with Martin Reilly just after floating over a ’45.
Kerry 0-12 Cavan 0-6: 48 mins – Much better from Cavan. A good move is capped off by a fine point by Niall McDermott, his third since being introduced.
Changes on both sides. Paul Geaney replaces Kieran Donaghy for Kerry while Jack Brady is on for Martin Dunne on the Cavan team.
That Donaghy substitution is a sign of what a good job Cavan full-back Rory Dunne has done today.
Kerry 0-13 Cavan 0-6: 50 mins – Kerry try to stem the tide with a point from David Moran.
Cavan work the ball forward patiently but when a chance arises to shoot, Damien O’Reilly is off target and the ball floats wide.
Kerry 0-14 Cavan 0-6: 52 mins – Donnchadh Walsh points for Kerry and then is replaced by Kieran O’Leary.
Kerry 0-14 Cavan 0-7: 54 mins – Foul on Jack Brady for Cavan and Eugene Keating kicks over the resultant free.
Kerry 0-14 Cavan 0-8: 55 mins – Same story again for Cavan as Keating converts a free.
Kerry shoot a couple of wides from Paul Galvin and Darran O’Sullivan. They’ve been a little sloppy in their play in the second-half.
Kerry 0-14 Cavan 0-9: 61 mins – Great point by Cian Mackey for Cavan. They’re edging back into contention but there’s only nine minutes remaining.
Couple of chances for Cavan but Eugene Keating and Killian Clarke see their efforts tail wide.
Kerry 0-15 Cavan 0-9: 66 mins – Important point for Kerry as Colm Cooper taps over a close range shot.
Full-Time: Kerry 0-15 Cavan 0-9: All over here as Kerry run out winners by six points.
That means Kerry will now advance to face Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final on September 1st.
Looking forward to Coutinho in this fixture in 2018. Happy Holidays everyone!
@Whatshisname: Can’t wait to see Ozil and Sanchez facing off in the Manchester derby next year. A pity Arsenal won’t get any money for them.
@Whatshisname: The fact you say happy holidays shows the kind of tool you are.
@Let free speech live: lads not even an arsenal fan man. Just a troll. Better off just muting him
@Let free speech live: Back in the schoolyard I see. You’re a joke
@Whatshisname: I’m fond of Arsenal football club myself but you sir are an embarrassment, every time I come on here you are spouting some drivel. Happy xmas anyway, hoping the new year has me reading less of you.
In an “ordinary” club, Zidane’s job should not be under threat when you consider all they have won since he’s been in charge but this is Real Madrid where past achievements are soon forgotten so anything can happen.
@Sloop John G: it’s no ordinary club that’s for sure , the Real Madrid managers head is on the block almost every game . Zidane has credit in the bank but if say Madrid got whipped on Saturday the atmosphere will change . Ancelotti was fire because of a heavy loss to Atletico Madrid at home that he didn’t manage to redress . Under him Real do perform on the crunch days ( especially in finals) and tend to have a much better second half of the season . A win for Real will kick off the resurgence !
Ah jeez Gavan Casey and Ryan Bailey, seriously who’d ye think ye are? The serious heads on ye with the pouts, the fancy hair do’s and the indoor scarf wearing, and the live link up to some nobody in Madrid. It’s like ye’re playing ye’r favourite game; “media goys r us” Scarlet for ye in all fairness.