Kerry retain 1B status with a classy win over 12 man Laois

Kerry 2-27 Laois 1-19

Kerry hurled magnificently throughout this relegation play-off and fully deserved to secure their place in Division 1B next season - but they got some help along the way from Laois.

The visitors at Austin Stack Park in Tralee did not help their cause when they lost their way and discipline midway through the second half and ended up with just 12 players on the pitch. Laois trailed by just six points when they lost wing forward Willie Dunphy to a second yellow in the 46th minute and then six minutes later substitute Ross Ring was shown a straight red. Then with the contest decided, Laois were reduced to 12, when Willie Hyland got a straight red for an altercation with Patrick Kelly in the 69th minute.

The first half of this relegation faces off was feast of attacking hurling with 26 scores and a couple of goal chances being created by both sides. Kerry were on top after a nervous opening as they raced to a six point lead by half-time (0-17 to 1-8), never really looking back from there.

Even a first half goal for Laois’ Stephen Maher didn’t halt the Kingdom’s momentum. With Michael O’Leary rampant for Kerry at centre-forward, and Shane Nolan and John Egan scoring at will, Laois were on the back foot from the off.

When Kerry scored a goal just four minutes into the second half they looked in complete control. Jack Goulding picked out the brilliant John Egan with a beautiful cross field ball and the Ardfert man did the rest.

Kerry led by eight but then Laois rallied through Cha Dwyer and PJ Scully but then disaster struck for Laois as they lost two players in the space of seven minutes. Kerry assumed complete control, with a succession of points before John Egan pounced for a final Kerry goal in the 63rd minute and the Kingdom cruised to victory in a testy final 10 minutes.

KERRY: A McCabe; B Murphy, P Kelly, K Carmody; J Diggins, D Dineen, T Murnane; J Griffin 0-2, D Collins; B O'Leary 0-2, M O'Leary 0-3, S Nolan 1-9 (0-6f); J Conway, M Boyle 0-2, J Egan 1-6.

Subs: J Goulding 0-2 for J Conway (h/t), T Casey for D Collins (43), C Harty 0-1 for B O’Leary (56), B Brosnan for J Diggins (64), J O’Connor for J Egan (64)

LAOIS: E Rowland 0-1f; T Delaney , D Maher, C Healy 0-2; L Bergin, M Whelan, R Mullaney; P Purcell 0-1, C Stapleton; C Dwyer 0-4, S Maher 1-1, W Dunphy 0-1; J Lennon, W Hyland 0-2, P J Scully 0-7 ( 0-3f, 0-1 '65).

Subs: N Foyle for M Whelan (22), J Phelan for T Delaney (44), R King for J Lennon (48), B Reddin for l Bergin (66)

Referee: Sean Cleere (Kilkenny)