Kerry 2-17 Galway 1-12
Kerry’s path through the All-Ireland qualifying series stood to them, as they outclassed reigning champions Galway in the Bank of Ireland quarter-final at Croke Park this afternoon.
Galway had not played a championship match since their Connacht final victory over Sligo five weeks ago. Their rustiness was ruthlessly exposed by a clinical Kerry side far more alert from games in recent weeks, which invariably helped mould the team for victory today.
Both sides started hell for leather and treated the fans to a refreshing game of open, attacking football. Kerry got off the mark first and were two points to the good after five minutes. But Galway stunned their Munster opponents with a splendid Michael Donnellan goal after six minutes. The midfielder collected the ball just inside the Kerry half and sprinted through the gaping Kerry defence before stylishly flicking the ball home.
Kerry’s lethal duo Mike Frank Russell and Colm Cooper kept the Kingdom ticking along with a platter of scores in what proved a fruitful opening period for the Kerry attack. Galway should have found the net for a second time seven minutes before the break but Matthew Clancy, having done well to win possession under severe pressure, blasted the ball over the bar when a goal looked the more inviting option.
While Galway were coming to terms with their spurned opportunity, Kerry broke forward and danced their way through a lifeless Galway defence. Eoin Brosnan, scorer of a remarkable goal against Kildare last weekend, picked out the onrushing Sean O’Sullivan with a deft pass. O’Sullivan blew aside some shoddy tackles and rifled the ball passed the hapless Galway ‘keeper Alan Keane to send Kerry into a five point lead.
Late in the half, Galway were left kicking their heels on two occasions as goal opportunities were sacrificed for scrambled points. In the 31st minute, Padraic Joyce bustled his way into Kerry territory but pointed despite having Derek Savage unmarked to his right. Four minutes later, Savage himself fisted over when a shot on goal could have been more rewarding. Nevertheless, Galway, who played some poor football in the half, only trailed by three points at half-time (1-9 to 1-6).
The game deteriorated in the second half as a demoralised and jaded looking Galway faded out of contention. Kerry substitute Aodhan MacGearailt knocked over a point soon after his introduction while Galway’s Padraic Joyce retaliated with a brace of frees.
Despite being only three points down with 12 minutes to play, Galway never looked capable of bridging that gap and were left even more deflated when MacGearailt stabbed home a sneaky goal in the 62nd minute.
Joyce pointed another free but his side were staring a five point deficit long in the face. Kerry carved open their opponents in the closing minutes and added further scores from the excellent Darragh O’Se, full forward Dara O’Cinneide and the busy corner forward Cooper to confirm their place in the All-Ireland semi-finals.