2025 Allianz Hurling League Division 2 – Down 0-28 Kerry 1-23

Down defeated Kerry by 0-28 to 1-23 in Round 6 of the Allianz Hurling League Division 2 on Sunday March 9th at Austin Stack Park Tralee.

Down promoted after narrow win over 13-man Kerry https://t.co/WG61k6v2QP

— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) March 9, 2025

Down promoted after narrow win over 13-man Kerry

Report by Murt Murphy, Austin Stack Park courtesy of the Irish Examiner newspaper

Division 2: Kerry 1-23 Down 0-28

Kerry pushed table-toppers Down all the way but late points from Paul Sheehan and midfielder Donal Hughes were enough for the Mourne men to leave Austin Stack Park with the win and promotion to Division 1B of the AHL.

This young Kerry outfit led 0-15 to 0-13 at half time. They led from the 13th minute until Down regained the lead again in the 45th minute thanks to a Tom McGrattan free (0-16 to 0-15).

But Kerry’s hopes of causing a shock had been dealt a massive blow in the 37th minute when corner back Seamie Foran was shown a second yellow for a high challenge.

Kerry also lost Flor McCarthy in added time to a second yellow but did not affect the result though a goal for Kerry from a late free that dropped short would have changed the result.

Kerry – superbly led by Podge Boyle – were impressive in the opening half with newcomer Luke Crowley giving the Kerry attack extra potency. The Kingdom’s conversion rate was close to 80 percent (15/19) with Boyle scoring eight points from frees and play.

But Kerry had the breeze in the opening half and Down found it difficult to create too many openings but they did create the only chance of the half when Darren Delaney denied Ronan Beatty from close range.

Luke Crowley was a revelation in the opening half firing over three points from play but it was Podge Boyle from frees and play who was unerring for the Kingdom. He scored 0-8 in that opening period with Luke Rochford also adding two points.

But unbeaten Down were dangerous on both wings with Tim Pender scoring two while Tom McGrattan also kept his side in touch with 0-8 from frees and play.

Once Kerry were reduced to fourteen, they appeared to up their game and in the 50th minute, corner back Kyle O’Connor galloped forward and found Oisin Maunsell who buried the sliotar in the Down net.

Kerry was now three in front but Down leveled thanks to three unanswered points from McGrattan, Finn Turpin and Eoghan Sands.

The sides traded points down the stretch and were level again in the 67th minute when a Podge Boyle free left the score at 1-22 to 0-25.

Paul Sheehan’s late cameo meant a Down victory and a league final against Kildare to look forward to as well as life in Division 1B next season.

Scorers for Kerry: P Boyle (0-14, 10fs), L Crowley (0-4), O Maunsell (1-0), P O’Connor and L Rochford (0-2 each), T Doyle (0-1).

Scorers for Down: T McGrattan (0-11, 7f, 1 ‘65), P Óg McCrickard (0-5), P Sheehan (0-3), E Sands and T Prenter (0-2 each), M Fisher, L Savage, D Hughes, R Beatty and F Turpin (0-1 each)

KERRY: D Delaney; K O’Connor, F McCarthy, S Foran; D Shanahan, K Goulding, S McGrath; P O’Connor, D Griffin; T Doyle, O Maunsell, L Crowley; L Rochford, P Boyle, D Conway.
Subs: R Walsh for S McGrath (h/t), R Mahony for D Griffin (45), B Barrett for O Maunsell (49), S Brosnan for L Rochford (51), N Mulcahy for L Crowley (69).

DOWN: S Keith; M Conlan; T Murray, J McManus; M Fisher, L C Taggart; D Hughes, P Savage; E Sands, C Egan, T McGrattan; T Prenter, R Beatty, Pearse Óg McCrickard.
Subs: G Hughes for T Murray (43), P Sheehan for C Egan (43), F Turpin for P Savage (52), B Trainor for L Savage (63), N McFarland for M Fisher (65).

Referee: N O’Toole (Waterford)