Kerry have opened their Allianz Hurling League campaign with a victory.
They've beaten Down in Division 2A by 4-18 to 0-19 in Tralee. 2 goals in a second half minute proved the catalyst for this win.
Down went into an early 2 point lead but Kerry were level by the 8th minute as Fionan Mackessy and Daniel Collins put over. Again Down moved in front but a Shane Nolan point after quarter of an hour had the Kingdom level at 3 points apiece. Come the water break Down led by 5 points to 4, with Paul Sheehan responsible for 4 of those Down scores. An outstanding save from Kingdom keeper John B O'Halloran then denied Down forward Eoghan Sands a goal. After Down doubled their advantage Kerry got on level terms again by the 25th minute courtesy of points from Michael Leane and Barry O'Mahony. However, 2 quick scores had Down 2 points to the good once more. Kerry trailed by 3 after half an hour, 0-9 to 0-6. Yet another Paul Sheehan free moved Down 4 to the good, a gap which soon increased to 5. Points in added on time from Daniel Collins, Michael Boyle and Shane Nolan cut the gap to 2. The visitors led by 0-11 to 0-9 at the short whistle.
Down had the opening two scores of the second period before Fionan Mackessy pointed for Kerry, who were now down by 13 points to 10. The game was turned on its head as the Kingdom rattled the Down net twice in quick succession, in the 40th and 41st minutes. Mike O'Halloran describes those goals by Maurice O'Connor and Fionan O'Sullivan
The score was now 2-10 to 0-13. The 47th minute brought another Maurice O'Connor goal.
Kerry's advantage now stood at 3-12 to 0-13, rendering the game something of a done deal. Kerry had been dominant in the second period and went on to win by 4-18 to 0-19, Shane Nolan scoring a penalty in added on time.
Kerry manager Fintan O'Connor
