Kennedy and Kirby star as Kerry see off wasteful Tipperary in Munster U20FC
19 May 2024; Kerry manager Tomás Ó Sé during the EirGrid GAA Football All-Ireland U20 Championship final match between Kerry and Tyrone at Laois Hire OMoore Park in Portlaoise, Laois. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Like their senior counterparts, Kerry U20s had no call for two-pointers as they got their Munster campaign up and running with a 12-point victory over Tipperary.
Typical for April Fools’ Day, the scoreboard offered a misleading complexion as the Premier carved out a half-dozen goal chances but couldn’t convert half enough of them.
The wind played a prank on them too. Having gusted behind the Kingdom in the first half, it died completely as Tipp were poised to launch a fightback from eight behind.
In the end, Kerry were more efficient, with goals early and late via Tomás Kennedy (1-4) and Daniel Kirby (1-3) the key scores.
“It’s good to get a win. It was a tough battle. A pile of mistakes made on both sides. We were opened up a few times so plenty to work on,” said manager Tomás Ó Sé.
“It was a tough place to come to. The lights weren't hectic, the pitch wasn't hectic, but it was the same for both teams. It was all about getting a win and we ground it out in the second half.” On their two-point stats mirroring Jack O’Connor’s seniors, Ó Sé added: “I would’ve thought that we would’ve gone for a couple more in the first half, which we didn’t.
“At the level we’re at, it doesn’t seem to happen as often as senior level. It’s something that we’ll develop as we go along, hopefully.” Nine of the Kingdom starting team that lost last year’s All-Ireland final to Tyrone, plus two used subs, remain underage. All bar injured top-scorer Cormac Dillon fielded here.
Ó Sé’s backroom team is just as strong, featuring two inter-county senior managers in Mark Fitzgerald and Maurice Horan.
In a game switched to New Inn at late notice due to a bereavement in Templetuohy, the gusting wind was a major factor in the first half.
It made for a quick start with a goal, a disallowed goal, and a goal chance inside eight minutes. Tipp created two of those but the green flag went to the visitors.
Before that drama, Paddy Lane began with a pair, winning his own free and capitalising on a Ciarán Collins turnover.
Paddy O’Keeffe couldn’t make clean contact with Tipp’s first opening. At the other end, Kerry were clinical with Donagh O’Sullivan’s turnover providing for Kennedy’s classy finish.
Tipp hit the net within two minutes. Jamie O’Keeffe’s shot was touched into the goal by JP Mbokha Tansia but was ruled out for a square ball.
After a Daithí Hogan free, Kennedy’s mark and Kirby’s brace pushed Kerry 1-5 to 0-1 ahead.
When they breached the 4v3 structure by keeping insufficient defenders behind halfway, Hogan tapped over another. The St Patrick’s dangerman followed it with Tipp’s first from play.
Kerry reeled off four in a row approaching the break, with Collins scoring before a Kennedy treble, capped off by a second mark.
Ben Carey’s handpassed point cut the half-time deficit to eight; 1-9 to 0-4.
They traded points in the early stages of the second half. Ben Murphy soloed forward from the throw-in. Hogan’s free was followed by a Billy Tierney score. Evan Boyle then kicked his first of a fine second-half display.
Tipp impressed around midfield and with that upper hand, they carved out three goal chances in three minutes. Michael Tansley saved from Mbokha Tansia, with Odhrán Ferris pointing on the counter.
Tansley was called into action again to palm over Joe Higgins’ stinger. Paddy O’Keeffe got on the end of the next move but blasted just wide.
Kirby and Liam Evans kicked points but Tipp replied with 1-1. Darragh O’Connor’s stylish point was followed by Paddy O’Keeffe sending Carey through for a deserved goal.
That made it 1-14 to 1-8 but Kerry began to fare better on the breaks to see out the victory.
Lane tacked on three points and Boyle slotted his second, although Hogan added two of his own.
Kerry’s subs made a late impact. Jack Tagney converted a free before combining with Ronan Carroll to assist Kirby’s stoppage-time goal.
They face Cork next Monday in Tralee, while Tipp host Clare on Tuesday.
Daithí Hogan (0-6, 4 frees); B Carey (1-1); B Tierney, J Higgins, D O’Connor (0-1 each).
T Kennedy (1-4, 0-2 marks); D Kirby (1-3); P Lane (0-5, 2 frees); E Boyle (0-2); B Murphy, C Collins, O Ferris, L Evans, J Tagney (free) (0-1 each).
R McGrath (Galtee Rovers); E Bonner (Galtee Rovers), E O’Connell (Loughmore-Castleiney), B Tierney (Clonmel Commercials); K Butler (Moyle Rovers), C King (Ballina, capt), J O’Keeffe (Clonmel Commercials); J Higgins (Clonmel Commercials), D O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials); JP Mbokha Tansia (Ballina), D Cotter (Thurles Gaels), T Charles (Clonmel Commercials); Daithí Hogan (St Patrick’s), P O’Keeffe (Moyle Rovers), B Carey (Ballylooby-Castlegrace).
L Freaney (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) for Cotter (42), T O’Connor (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) for Charles (53), C Ryan (Ballina) for Tierney (56, inj).
M Tansley (Austin Stacks, capt); M Lynch (Dr Crokes), D Stack (Kilcummin), G Evans (Keel); B Murphy (Austin Stacks), D O’Connor (Kenmare Shamrocks), E Healy (Listowel Emmets); E Boyle (Ballyduff), A Kennelly (Listowel Emmets); C Collins (Rathmore), D O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses), D Kirby (Austin Stacks); O Ferris (Ardfert), T Kennedy (Kerins O’Rahillys), P Lane (Austin Stacks).
L Evans (Keel) for Kennelly (41), A Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht) for Ferris (45), R Carroll (Austin Stacks) for Collins (49), J Tagney (Kenmare Shamrocks) for O’Sullivan (54), J Murphy (Austin Stacks) for Lynch (58).
C Dineen (Cork).
