Allianz Football League Division 1 – Mayo 2-15 Kerry 1-13

Mayo defeated Kerry by 2-15 to 1-13 in round 3 of the Allianz Football League Division 1 on Sunday March 2nd at MacHale Park, Castlebar.

Mayo finish strongly to see off Kerry

Report from the GAA.ie web site

ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION I: MAYO 2-15 KERRY 1-13

Mayo produced a dominant final 20 minutes against Kerry to take a much needed victory at Elverys MacHale Park on Sunday. James Horan’s side finally took control of the game in the closing quarter, with Kerry having matched them all the way until that point. However, the Kingdom ran out of steam as Mayo kicked the final six points of the game to seal a five point win.

Alan Freeman top scored for Mayo with 1-5, scoring his goal with just 20 seconds played in the first half and then firing over a number of crucial scores in the second. A second Mayo goal, from Jason Doherty just before half-time, left Mayo 2-7 to 0-11 ahead at the interval.

However, Kerry came back strongly in the third quarter, and a magnificent goal from the impressive Stephen O’Brien a few minutes into the second half looked like it could turn the tide in favour of Kerry, as it put them two clear at that stage. However, Mayo’s experience told as they kicked eight of the final nine points to seal the victory.

They had made the perfect start when Freeman finished to the net after a flowing move directly from the throw-in. Kerry responded well to the early goal though, and with James O’Donoghue, Barry John Keane and Conor Cox all showing well in attack, Kerry led 0-8 to 1-4 with almost 30 minutes gone.

However, Doherty’s well-taken goal just shy of the whistle was a major boost to Mayo – Kerry looked like they would have a lead to protect for the start of the second half but instead it was Mayo who led going into the dressing rooms.

O’Brien’s goal early in the second half put Kerry back in control and it was a real gem. He turned his marker, Ger Cafferkey, before guiding a perfectly placed shot over Rob Hennelly and into the top left hand corner of the net. That made it 1-12 to 2-7 in favour of Kerry but things started to unravel for Éamonn Fitzmaurice’s side after that.

Shane Enright received a black card and then points from Freeman (3) Kevin McLoughlin (2) and Doherty had Mayo three points ahead with less than 10 minutes to go. Kerry had no answer and Mayo eased to the victory in the closing stages, looking good value in the end for their five point win. The result means that for the second year running, Kerry have three defeats from three games in the top tier. Mayo on the other hand, have recorded their first win of the campaign, and they will now be setting their sights on securing a semi-final place.

***

Scorers for Mayo: A Freeman 1-5 (3f), K McLoughlin 0-4 (3f), J Doherty 1-1, A Gallagher 0-2 (2f), L Keegan 0-1, E Varley 0-1, M Conroy 0-1

Scorers for Kerry: S O’Brien 1-2, C Cox 0-4 (3f), J O’Donoghue 0-3 (1f), BJ Keane 0-2, D Moran 0-1, D Walsh 0-1

MAYO: R Hennelly; B Harrison, G Cafferkey, K Higgins; L Keegan, S McHale, C Boyle; A O’Shea, J Gibbons; K McLoughlin, A Moran, J Doherty; A Gallagher, A Freeman, M Conroy. Subs: E Varley for A Gallagher (43), D Vaughan for S McHale (52), S O’Shea for J Gibbons (59), C Carolan for M Conroy (65), D O’Connor for A Moran (70).

KERRY: B Kealy; P Murphy, M Griffin, S Enright; P Crowley, A O’Mahony, M O’Sé; A Maher, D Moran; S O’Brien, D Casey, D Walsh; BJ Keane, C Cox, J O’Donoghue. Subs: F Fitzgerald for A O’Mahony (36), P Kilkenny for S Enright (42, black card), M Geaney for D Casey (55), J Sherwood for M O’Sé (56), J Buckley for D Walsh (59), B McGuire for P Crowley (64).

Referee: C Branagan (Down).

Team News

KERRY (NFL v Mayo): B Kealy (Kilcummin); P Murphy (Rathmore), M Griffin (St Michael’s/Foilmore), S Enright (Tarbert); P Crowley (Laune Rangers), A O’Mahony (Rathmore), M Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht); A Maher (Duagh), D Moran (Kerins O’Rahillys); S O’Brien (Kenmare), D Casey (Dr Crokes), D Walsh (Cromane); BJ Keane (Kerins O’Rahillys), P Geaney (Dingle), J O’Donoghue (Legion). Subs: B Kelly (Legion), C Cox (Listowel Emmets), B McGuire (Listowel Emmets), J Sherwood (Firies), M Geaney (Dingle), J Buckley (Dr Crokes), F Fitzgerald (Dr Crokes), P Kilkenny (Glenbeigh/Glencar), D Culhane (Ballylongford), A Fitzgerald (Castlegregory), Darran O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar)

MAYO (NFL v Kerry): R Hennelly (Breaffy); B Harrison (Aghamore), G Cafferkey (Ballina Stephenites), K Keane (Westport); L Keegan (Westport), S McHale (Knockmore), C Boyle (Davitts); A O’Shea (Breaffy), J Gibbons (Ballintubber); K McLoughlin (Knockmore), A Moran (Ballaghaderreen), K Higgins (Ballyhaunis); A Gallagher (Mayo Gaels), A Freeman (Aghamore), M Conroy (Davitts)