Senior footballers share spoils with Kerry after pulsating duel

FL DIVISION 1 SOUTH

DUBLIN 4-9 KERRY 1-18

A game that had everything and finished in a flurry of excitement with the spoils shared in Sunday's Allianz FL Division 1 South duel at Semple Stadium, Thurles.

A second-half injury to John Small, looked to be a hamstring, was a worry for Dublin and he was replaced by Philly McMahon in the 50th minute. 

"We were a little bit slow coming out with the ball, we invited them on and they took their opportunities really well when we did," said Dublin's Mick Galvin afterwards.

"That was disappointing but we regrouped, got ourselves into a good situation going into the last five and probably a little bit disappointed not to see it out."

Dublin had surrendered an early second-half lead of seven points as Kerry applied the pressure and punished any carelessness in possession by the Dubs to draw level, 3-8 to 0-17, by the 56th minute.

However, a Cormac Costello penalty, following a foul on Con O'Callaghan after fielding a point effort from Dara Mullin dropping short, put Dublin 4-8 to 0-17 clear.

But back came the Kingdom with a Seán O'Shea free before Jason Foley's goal attempt was saved by Evan Comerford as the game moved into added time.

In the five minutes added Con O'Callaghan fired over off his left after a jinking run but in the concluding minute Stephen O'Brien was fouled in the square by Philly McMahon and David Clifford drove home the resulting penalty to ensure his side a draw.

Dublin led 3-6 to 0-9 at half-time and extended their lead with a Cormac Costello point, after a long period of possession football, four minutes into the second half.

But during this period Dublin lost their way somewhat as Kerry took control and gained plenty of momentum to outscore the Dubs 0-6 to 0-2 in their third quarter as David Clifford found his accuracy and range.

The game had started at a good pace but both sides were guilty of not capitalising on scoring opportunities in the early spells.

Two minutes in Niall Scully cut through on goal and tried to place Con O'Callaghan for a palmed goal but the Cuala man's effort cannoned off the post.

Check out the highlights from Semple Stadium, as Dublin and Kerry played out a draw earlier#UpTheDubspic.twitter.com/0NAf3c7Pvx

— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) May 23, 2021

Three points in a row from Diarmuid O'Connor, Dara Moynihan and David Clifford 0-4 to 0-1 ahead by the 14th minute.

However, a clever move between Ciarán Kilkenny and Con O'Callaghan resulted in Con rounding Kerry keeper Kieran Fitgibbon and blasting to the net.

But before the first water break Kerry worked their possession very well to kick two points, Paudie Clifford and Diarmuid O'Connor again on target, for the Kingdom to lead 0-6 to 1-1.

Dublin though outscored Kerry 2-5 to 0-3 in the second quarter to lead 3-6 to 0-9 at the half-time interval.

The Dubs opened and closed the period in spectacular fashion - Cormac Costello goaling on the restart after the first water stoppage following good approach play by Ciarán Kilkenny and Paddy Small.

Further points from Paddy Small, after he moved wings with Cormac Costello, Costello himself, an excellent point off his left, and Brian Fenton saw Dublin 2-4 to 0-6 clear by the 28th minute.

But may have added another goal but Con O'Callaghan's close-range shot, after a move initiated by great defence by James McCarthy, was saved by keeper Fitzgibbon.

Kerry were left frustrated late in the half when Dara Moynihan had the ball in the net after getting past Robbie McDaid but ref Seán Hurson had whistled for a free, converted by Seán O'Shea.

In first-half added time Paddy Small tagged on a fine individual point before Con O'Callaghan hit Dublin's third goal - Niall Scully spotted the Cuala man one-on-one inside and drove a long aerial ball into the danger area that broke for Con to fire to the net.

SCORERS - Dublin: C Costello 2-3 (1-0 pen), C O'Callaghan 2-1, P Small 0-3, B Fenton, C Kilkenny 0-1 each. Kerry: D Clifford 1-6 (1-0 pen, 0-1f), S O'Shea 0-4 (0-2f), D O'Connor, D Moynihan, P Murphy 0-2 each, P Clifford, P Geaney 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: E Comerford; E Murchan, D Byrne, M Fitzsimons; S MacMahon, J Small, R McDaid; J McCarthy, T Lahiff; N Scully, B Fenton, C Costello; P Small, C Kilkenny, C O'Callaghan. Subs: C Basquel for Lahiff (47), D Mullin for P Small (54), E Lowndes for McDaid (54), P McMahon for J Small (inj, 50), S Bugler for Kilkenny (65), J Cooper for MacMahon (65), B Howard for Scully (71).

KERRY: K Fitzgibbon; B O Beaglaoich, T Morley, J Foley; P Murphy, G Crowley, G White; D Moran, D O'Connor; D Moynihan, S O'Shea, P Geaney; D Clifford, K Spillane, P Clifford. Subs: T Walsh for Spillane (ht), R Buckley for Geaney (44), A Spillane for Moran (44), S O'Brien for P Clifford (50), G O'Sullivan for O Beaglaoich (57), J Sherwood for White (57), M Burns for Moynihan (62).

REF: S Hurson (Tyrone).