Kerry strolled to a comprehensive victory over visitors London and remain unbeaten in Division 2 of the National Hurling League following Saturday’s game at Austin Stack Park.
John Griffin’s side are now on top of the table, as the other two games in the division are not being played until Sunday, so Kerry are sitting pretty on five points from a possible six after three rounds.
But while Kerry were double digit winners over a London side who drew with Mayo last weekend, London did improve markedly in the second half but could never get within striking distance of the Kingdom, despite the accuracy of Fionn O’Riain Broin from placed balls and some excellent points from the likes of Padraig Muldoon, Noah Quinlan, Paul Kennedy and substitute Donnacha Leahy.
Kerry were on top from the outset and with their well oiled attack in scoring form, they had found the London net four times in the opening half to lead by 15 at the interval, so London were never in this contest.
Kerry also had Ronan Walsh in excellent form from placed balls. The Kerry defence, individually, and in support play, were always in control. Kerry did concede four points for illegal hand passes with referee Adam Kinahan strict on the day.
Kerry were in cruise control in the first half and scored 1-9 from their first ten scoring chances with Daniel Casey finding the London net as early as the fifth minute. Oisin Maunsell, Ronan Walsh, Casey from play and Jordan Brick heaped misery on London who were almost totally reliant on the free taking of O’Rian Broin.
Kerry added further goals from Oisin Maunsell after a Casey assist in the 27th minute and struck for two more goals before half time from Michael Slattery and Jordan Brick, so at half time Kerry retired 4-11 to 0-8 in front and it was game over.
Kerry moved 17 points ahead midway through the second half (4-17 to 0-12) thanks to a series of points from Hugh Lenihan, Oisin Maunsell, Ronan Walsh (0-3) and Jordan Brick.
Kerry either relaxed or became tired and London rallied with a Sean Glynn goal and five points from O’Rian Broin to reduce the deficit to 12 points but the Kingdom were always in control.
R Walsh (1-7, 6fs), J Brick and O Maunsell (1-3 each), D Casey (1-2), M Slattery (1-0), J Conway (0-2), M Leane, H Lenihan, F O’Sullivan and G Dooley (0-1 each)
F O’Rian Broin (0-10, 9fs, 1’65), S Glynn (1-0) N Quinlan (0-3), P Kennedy and D Leahy (0-2 each) P Muldoon, R Lodge, D Dawson and O Donnelly (0-1 each) Teams:
C Bohane; E Leen, S McGrath, K O’Connor; J O’Connor, N O’Mahony, M Leane; H Lenihan, A Segal; T Doyle, R Walsh, J Brick; O Maunsell, D Casey, M Slattery.
S Foran for E Leen (h/t). F O’Sullivan for H Lenihan (51), G Dooley for D Casey (51), J Conway for J Brick (51), L Rochford for O Maunsell (59)
M Kilgannon; R Cummins, R McGrady, B Morrissey; J Loughnane, C Byrne, P Muldoon; T Hanifin, N Quinlan; F O’Rian Broin, P Kennedy, R Lodge; J Morrissey, D Devine, D Dawson
S Glynn for R Cummins ( h/t) D Leahy for R McGrady (h/t), S Whelan for B Morrissey ( 42), O Donnelly for D Devine ( 48), E McGrath for R Lodge ( 51) Referee: A Kinahan (Offaly)
