Kerry v Wicklow
Allianz National Hurling League
Austin Stack Park – 05 June 2021
A Kerry team with a host of changes from their previous game were went in as favourites against Wicklow.
It was a slow start, with both sides playing quite defensively.
An early goal chance for the Kingdom went abegging, but Shane Conway made no mistake from the resulting 65.
Wicklow got their first score after 14 minutes.
One of the scores of the half was from a tight angle by Michael Leane, who had come on for the injured Daniel Collins.
Wicklow’s Gary Hughes replied shortly afterwards from a similar angle.
By the first water break, Kerry led 0-5 to 0-2.
It was turning out to be a costly game for the Kingdom, as midfielder Tomas O’Connor was the second Kerry player to get injured after 20 minutes, shortly followed by Barry O’Mahony.
Unsurprisingly, Shane Conway led the way for Kerry, scoring six of the first ten scores for his side.
As the 30-minute mark approached, Kerry led 0-10 to 0-3.
Shane Conway added to his tally before half time with 1-2, as the clocked ticked towards halftime.
Half time:
Kerry 1-15
Wicklow 0-5
Second Half
Kerry’s dominance continued after the break, with quick scores from Padraig Boyle and Shane Nolan.
Mikey Boyle, a first half sub, scored a fantastic goal with ten minutes gone in the second half to put Kerry 19 points ahead.
Cian Hussey, corner forward from St Brendan’s, turned three defenders to get his third score of the game with a quarter of an hour gone.
Mikey Boyle scored his second goal straight afterwards, after being set up by his brother.
With a few minutes of normal time left, Nathan Guerin then scored his first inter-county goal.
The game, unsurprisingly, petered out, with both sides running their benches.
Kerry: 4-30
Wicklow: 1-17
Kerry manager, Fintan O'Connor
Andrew Morrissey,
