Impressive success for clinical Kingdom

CHRISTY RING CUP FINAL/Kerry 2-21 Wicklow 2-8:JOHN MEYLER'S campaign to reintroduce Kerry to top-tier hurling continued on the right path as they put the heartbreak of losing last year's Christy Ring Cup final by a point to Westmeath firmly behind them with a resounding victory over Wicklow.

It was Kerry’s first title at this level but their clear superiority over a team they had barely beaten in last year’s semi-final, suggests they may be closing in on a Munster championship return.

The Kingdom led 1-10 to 0-6 at half-time helped by John Egan’s 11th minute goal and five points from Darragh O’Connell.

O’Connell swooped for a goal within two minutes of the resumption and, though Jonathan Quirke goaled at the other end, there was no way back for Wicklow.

The lively Shane Nolan and O’Connell shared eight points evenly between them for Kerry.

Jonathan O’Neill grabbed Wicklow’s late consolation goal.

KERRY: B Rochford; P O’Grady, J Godley, E Fitzgerald; C Harris, J Casey, A Keane; D Dineen, J Griffin (0-1); D O’Connell (1-9, 0-4 frees, 0-1 65), G O’Brien (0-1), M Boyle (0-1); S Nolan (0-6), M Conway (0-1), J Egan (1-1). Subs: J Flaherty (0-1) for Conway (52 mins); L Boyle for O’Brien (64 mins); J Fitzgerald for E Fitzgerald (69 mins).

WICKLOW: W O’Gorman; J Connors, G Keogh, B Cuddihy; G Bermingham, L Kennedy, S Kelly; E Kearns, R Keddy (0-1); L Glynn, J O’Neill (1-4, 0-3 frees, 0-1 65), T Doyle; E Glynn, D Hyland, A O’Brien (0-2). Subs: J Quirke (1-1, 0-1 free) for Doyle (h-t); E O’Neill for Connors (42 mins); W Collins for Bermingham (59 mins); J Murphy for E Glynn (65 mins); E Dunne for Kelly (69 mins).

Referee: G Duffy (Antrim).