Galway 2-14 Kerry 0-17:Before this cracking game got under way the opposing managers were collared for RTÉ interviews. When asked how their players would perform they both replied, deadpan, they wouldn't know until the ball was thrown in. They warned of the fickleness of minors in such an intimidating arena. And yes, plenty of illogical decisions and rushes of blood to the head followed in the ensuing hour but John Kennedy and Alan Mulholland both must have known the quality of character within their ranks.
Kerry have not won a minor title now since 1994. And yet, they continue to produce beautifully moulded footballers at a rate that exceeds any other county. They missed the injured Patrick Curtin but Barry John Walsh and Eoin Kennedy terrorised the Galway defence for the opening half hour with a seven-point return. If not for two somewhat fortuitous goals in a hectic 90-second period, Kerry would have been home and hosed.
They seemed primed to canter away when leading 0-7 to 0-4 after 24 minutes. Galway full forward Michael Martyn dropped a free from distance into the red zone; it broke to Damien Reddington whose shot was well blocked only to fall for Tommy Walsh. His shot exploded the roof of the net.
Next thing we know Galway wing back Conor Doherty was steaming forward and shot low past Tómas Mac an tSaoir. It was the third time Doherty's marker had not properly tracked his run from deep - 0-7 to 2-4. New game.
Unperturbed by these potentially knockout blows Kerry drew level by the interval but the Galway attack were performing with a newly discovered fluidity. Kennedy, the manager's son, was moved out to cover Doherty for the second half and did not score again. In the crucial middle third, Galway captain Paul Conway held sway. He also rampaged forward for two scores. BJ Walsh was being contained by two defenders and also failed to score from play again.
Kerry pulled level three times in the second half before the supremely conditioned Galway teenagers stretched clear with a three-point blitz in the last quarter. All the scores came from counter attacks with Reddington on the end of two and O'Brien another.
A lions share of credit must go to Mulholland. His positional renovations curtailed the main Kerry threats and substitutes Eoin O'Mahony and Justin Burke landed massive late points. The coup de grace came via a sublime crossfield ball from Reddington for Martyn to gather in space. A goal chance presented itself but the sensible point option put them four clear. Kerry were spent.
GALWAY: O Higgins; D Rhattigan, C Forde, K Kelly; C Doherty (1-1), D O'Reilly, T Fahy; P Conroy (0-2), A Griffin; JJ Greaney, T Walsh (1-1, one free), J O'Brien (0-1); J Ryan, M Martyn (0-4, two frees), D Reddington (0-3). Subs: E O'Mahony (0-1) for JJ Greaney (37 mins), J Burke (0-1) for J Ryan (51 mins).
KERRY: T Mac an tSaoir; D O'Sullivan, B Shanahan, B Russell; I Somers, B O'Leary, P Costelloe; J Buckley (0-1), W Gutherie (0-1); J Doolan, C O'Shea (0-3), JB Spillane; T O'Sullivan, BJ Walsh (0-8, 0-5 frees), E Kennedy (0-4, one free). Substitutes: M Ó Sé for J Doolan (32 mins), A O'Donoghue for T O'Sullivan (52 mins), K O'Connor for W Gutherie (53 mins), C Ó Muircheartaigh for D O'Sullivan (57 mins).
Referee: C Reilly (Meath).
