IT WAS a day of mixed feelings after a one sided second half at Fitzgerald Stadium yesterday. There was quiet satisfaction in the Kerry dressing room, but an air of gloom among the Laois playing squad after this 13 point, Division One victory for Kerry.

Up until half time Laois might have had reason to feel they were still well in the match but they were hit with a morale sapping goal just before the break and they never really recovered as they went to the dressing room trailing by 1-7 to 0-2.

After seven minutes, and with Kerry leading by three points to one, some hesitancy in the Kerry defence presented Laois with a chance of a goal. The ball squirted away from Morgan Nix straight into the path of Leo Turley and the Laoisman let fly on the volley only to see his shot go over the bar.

Dara O Cinneide, playing at centre forward, was orchestrating practically every Kerry move and he was instrumental as his team built up a seven point to two lead. He also had a hand in the goal before the break.

O Cinneide, who was back in his own half to tidy up, spotted Gene Farrell lurking behind a slack Laois defence. His searching, lengthy pass was perfect and Farrell beat Laois goalkeeper Emmet Burke to a race for the ball to score.

Laois set about their task with some power in the second half and might have had a goal when Leo Turley slipped in behind the Kerry defence for a shot at goal. However, his shot was tipped" over the bar by O'Keeffe.

Although two well taken free kicks by Damien Delaney for Laois cut the deficit marginally a brilliant Kerry raid started by Sean Burke, carried on by Farrell and completed by James O'Shea for Kerry's second goal finished off any faint hopes that Laois. might have retained.

Both sides persisted in playing a short game out of defence which seemed foolhardy on a bitterly cold day with showers of heavy rain, but it must be said that Kerry were more accomplished in this pursuit although many passes went astray or were fumbled.

Laois now seem booked for a drop to Division Two given that they face Tyrone in their final match with the Northern side still in, the running for the quarter finals"

Any assessment of Kerry's potential will have to be left to another day. Even if Laois had taken one or two of their early goal chances it is very doubtful if Kerry would have been edged aside.

Kerry were resolute in defence, where the newcomer to the team, corner back Killian Burns from Sneem, fitted like a glove. was highly impressive was Morgan Nix and Sean Burke, who turned in typically solid performances.

At midfield, where Laois had the unusual pairing of David Sweeney and Hugh Emerson from the start, Seamus Moynihan gave Kerry a decided edge.

But it was O Cinneide who really shone for Kerry, while the two corner forwards. James O Shea and Gene Farrell caused constant anxiety in the Laois defence