Christy Ring Cup Semi-Final – Kerry 3-20 Mayo 1-18

Kerry defeated Mayo by 3-20 to 1-18 in the Christy Ring Cup Semi-Final on Saturday May 31st at MacHale Park Castlebar.

Mayo 1-18 Kerry 3-20

Report from GAA.ie

Kerry continued their excellent year with an eight-point win over Mayo in Castlebar. Playing with the wind in the first half, Kerry sent out a statement of intent straight from the throw-in when Shane Nolan found the net and they had 1-6 on the scoreboard by the time Ciarán Charlton got Mayo off the mark. Kerry continued their dominance throughout the first half, with Pádraig Nolan and David Butler adding goals to make the half-time score 3-14 to 0-5. Mayo, who missed dual star Keith Higgins, were much improved after the restart, helped by a Seán Regan goal and some points by Brian Higgins and Kenny Feeney, but John Egan’s point-taking helped Kerry safely over the line and into their second consecutive final.

Team News

Kerry team to play Mayo has been announced –

1. Tadhg Flynn Causeway
2. Bryan Murphy Causeway
3. Tom Murnane Kilmoyley
4. Dougie Fitzell Kilmoyley
5. Sean Weir Crotta O’Neills
6. Darren Dineen St Brendans
7. Thomas Casey Causeway
8. John Griffin Lixnaw
9. Colm Harty Causeway
10. Mikey Boyle Ballyduff
11. Daniel Collins Kilmoyley
12. Shane Nolan Crotta O’Neills
13. David Butler Knockavilla Kickhams
14. Padraig Boyle Ballyduff
15. John Egan St Brendans (Captain)
 
Subs:
16. Nicky Leen Ballyduff
17. Darragh O’Connell Abbeydorney
18. Keith Carmody Causeway
19. Philip Lucid Ballyheigue
20. Paudie O’Connor Kilmoyley
21. Jason Casey Ballyheigue
22. Jason Leahy Causeway
23. Brendan O’Leary Abbeydorney
24. Liam Boyle Ballyduff
25. Anthony Fealy Causeway
26. Giles O’Grady Ballyduff

Christy Ring Semi Final in Castlebar

Kerry have lost the toss for the staging of the Christy Ring semi final v Mayo and the game now goes ahead in MacHale Pk Castlebar on Saturday next. Kerry have requested a 1pm throw in time for travelling purposes. ​It is hoped to name the Kerry team after training on Wednesday night.

Paths to the Semi Finals
Kerry 4-31 Derry 0-11
Kildare 1-16 Kerry 3-18
Mayo 0-20 Armagh 1-14
Mayo 0-15 Meath 0-16
Wicklow 0-14 Mayo 1-15

Match Preview

Mayo v Kerry, Elverys MacHale Park, 1pm

Christy Ring Cup favourites Kerry travel to Castlebar to play Mayo in the first semi-final at 1pm. Kerry were pipped at the finishing post by Down last year, but they have been very impressive in 2014; winning the Allianz Hurling League Division IIA and crushing Derry in their Christy Ring opener before seeing off Kildare to book a last-four place.

Mayo beat Armagh in their first match and although they were edged out by Meath in round two, they returned to winning ways against Wicklow in Arklow last week. Mayo managed to finish just fourth in Division IIB of the league, but Kerry need only look at the shock results last Saturday – both Mayo’s win and both Nicky Rackard Cup semi-finals – to stave off any danger of complacency.

Shane Nolan, Pádraig Boyle, Darragh O’Connell, John Egan and Colm Harty have been in fine form for Kerry, while Mayo will need Kenny Feeney, Fergal Boland, Declan Gallagher, Seán Regan and dual star Keith Higgins on top of their game if they are to take a big result.