Munster MFC – Clare 1-10 Tipperary 0-6
Clare defeated Tipperary by 1-10 to 0-6 in Round 2 of the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship Phase 1 on Wednesday April 17th at Cusack Park Ennis.
Díreach síos an lár-cúilín ag Shane Meehan @GaaClare
Captain Shane Meehan v @TipperaryGAA in the @MunsterGAA minor championship
Highlights at 20.00 ar @SportTG4 pic.twitter.com/WmXftONr5N
— GAA 2019 (@GAA_2019) April 22, 2019
Impressive Banner see off Premier in cagey affair https://t.co/sDLnDjYZHR pic.twitter.com/PKe5AT3hcv
— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) April 17, 2019
Impressive Banner see off Premier in cagey affair
Report by Páraic McMahon for the Irish Examiner newspaper
Clare 1-10 – 0-6 Tipperary
It is expected that these sides will meet again before the championship is out should Tipperary overcome Limerick in their final round-robin meeting, so it comes as no great shock that this 60 minutes resembled a game of cat and mouse, with neither side keen to go at full tilt.
On the back of scoring 3-15 and 4-13, respectively, Clare and Tipperary were at least expected to keep the scoreboard ticking in this contest, but Seamus Mulvihill’s umpires had little stretching to do when it came to reaching for flags of either colour.
A brilliant Ben Comerford run set up Kyle Shelly for the first score of the evening, 20 minutes in. Shelly was fouled minutes later by Micheal Garry, with the resulting free calmly slotted over by Thurles Sarsfields’ Paddy Creedon. The subsequent restart was won by the Tipp attack, with the menacing Liam McCormack offloading to Creedon who doubled his tally.
Clare’s first score, an Eoin Talty goal, came courtesy of a misplaced Tipperary kickout, which ended up in the hands of danger man Shane Meehan, who ducked and dodged past oncoming defenders before offloading to Talty, who fired past James Griffin. White flags from Meehan and Conor Hassett would see Dermot Coughlan’s side surprisingly lead by two points at the break.
Having had to wait 20 minutes for a score in the first half, the 1,268 strong attendance had no such complaints in the second, as Creedon was on target 20 seconds into the restart. Clare improved as the game developed, dominating the second half and outscoring their opponents eight points to three. Captain Shane Meehan was the common denominator for the increase in Banner scores for the second half. As the mastermind behind several moves, he would finish the hour with five points to his name. Kyle Shelly fired over the final score from the Premier County on 55 minutes in what was a below-par outing from the visitors.
If this wasn’t an example of shadow boxing, Kerry will be licking their lips as their attempt to win seven provincial titles in succession will be much easier.
Meehan was the maestro for the winners and was ably assisted by Michael Garry, Brendan Rouine and Ciaran McMahon. For Tipperary, Christy McDonagh impressed, along with Paddy Creedon, Ben Comeford and the ever-troubling Kyle Shelly.
Both sides are back in action next week, with Clare already guaranteed a place in the phase-one final on May 7, but Tipp will have it all to do when they host Limerick.
Scorers for Clare: S Meehan (0-05 1f), E Talty (1-01), J Stack (0-02 2f), C Hassett (0-01), S Casey (0-01)
Scorers for Tipperary: P Creedon (0-03 1f), K Shelly (0-02 1f), C Shanahan (0-01).
CLARE: O O’Loughlin; T Lillis, M Garry, C McMahon; C McGroary, A Killeen, M Reidy; E Rouine, B Rouine; C Hassett, D Fahy, D Nagle; E Talty, S Meehan, J Stack.
Subs: E Walshe for Hassett (57), S Casey for Nagle (61)
TIPPERARY: J Griffin; T Condon, C McDonagh, E Butler; J Armstrong, D Hickey, C Shanahan; P Creedon, T Tobin; L Seacy, B Comerford, D King; L McCormack, K Shelly, E McCarthy.
Subs: L King for D King (37), M O’Connor for McCormack (37), C Cadell for McCarthy (46), L Kennedy for Seacy (51), D McCahey for McDonagh (57) (Inj)
Referee: S Mulvihill (Kerry)
Match Preview
The Electric Ireland @MunsterGAA Minor Football Championship continues this evening!
— The GAA (@officialgaa) April 17, 2019
Fixture Details
Wednesday April 17th
Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship Phase 1 Round 2
Clare v Tipperary
Venue: Cusack Park Ennis @ 6:45pm
Referee: Seamus Mulvihill (Kerry)
Admission Details
Adults – €10
Students / OAP’s – €5
Under 16s – Free
Team News
The Clate Minor Football team for Wednesday evening's game against Tipperary in Cusack Park has been announced https://t.co/PlPHkA7s5S
— Clare Gaa (@GaaClare) April 15, 2019
The Tipperary minor football panel to face Clare tomorrow has been revealed by manager Matt O'Doherty pic.twitter.com/Ob4Bl1A5xu
— Friends of Tipperary Football (@TippfootballGAA) April 16, 2019
The Tipperary team to play Clare in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship Phase 1 Round 2 fixture in Cusack Park, Ennis this Wednesday evening, April 17th at 6:45pm has been announced by manager Matt O’Doherty and lines out as follows;
1. James Griffin – Upperchurch-Drombane
2. Christy McDonagh – Cahir
3. Tadhg Condon – Clonmel Commercials
4. Emmet Butler – Kilsheelan-Kilcash
5. James Armstrong – Thurles Sarsfields
6. Donagh Hickey – Arravale Rovers
7. Conor Shanahan – Inane Rovers
8. Paddy Creedon (Vice-Capt.) – Thurles Sarsfields
9. Tom Tobin – Rosegreen
10. Luke Seacy – Inane Rovers
11. Ben Comerford – Grangemockler-Ballyneale
12. Dara King – Ballina
13. Liam McCormack – Durlas Óg
14. Kyle Shelly (Capt.) – Moycarkey-Borris
15. Eoin McCarthy – Clonmel Commercials
16. Cian O’Mahony – Ardfinnan
17. Darragh McCahey – Loughmore-Castleiney
18. Liam King – Ballinahinch
19. Edward Meagher – Loughmore-Castleiney,
20. James Corcoran – JK Brackens
21. Leon Kennedy – Grangemockler-Ballyneale
22. Jack Lillis – Drom-Inch,
23. Mark O’Connor – Clonmel Commercials
24. Conor Cadell – JK Brackens
Match Programme
Don’t forget to pick up a copy of the souvenir match programme for 2 euro.
All-Ireland Scór Sinear Final 2019
The 2019 All-Ireland Scór Sinear Final will take place on Saturday April 13th at 3pm in Castlebar.
Munster MFC – Clare 3-15 Limerick 0-10
Clare defeated Limerick by 3-15 to 0-1 in Round 1 of the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship Phase 1 on Wednesday April 10th at Newcastlewest.
Match Highlights
GAANOW was at Newcastle West as @GaaClare overcame @LimerickCLG 2-15 to 0-10 in the @MunsterGAA Minor Football Championship! Take a look here. pic.twitter.com/tIakMjFF10
— The GAA (@officialgaa) April 16, 2019
#GAA news: @GaaClare and @TipperaryGAA claim Electric Ireland @MunsterGAA Minor Football Championship victories!
— The GAA (@officialgaa) April 10, 2019
Clare Cruise To Victory In Opening Round Of Munster MFC https://t.co/bG7S3N8F3y pic.twitter.com/TEMhpGpJqL
— The Clare Champion (@clarechampion) April 10, 2019
Banner send out warning signals with win over Limerick https://t.co/KxrOwo9tnH pic.twitter.com/L0DAbTDLEX
— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) April 10, 2019
Banner send out warning signals with win over Limerick
Report By Mark Keogh for the Irish Examiner newspaper
Munster MFC
Limerick 0-10 – 3-15 Clare
Munster minor football finalists in the last two seasons, Clare began their 2019 campaign with a comfortable 14-point win over Limerick in Newcastle West.
The Banner were only four points ahead at half-time but raced clear of the home side in the second half against a Limerick side that failed to score in the final quarter.
While Limerick will attempt to get their championship back on track with a trip to Dungarvan next Wednesday, Clare will welcome fellow round one winners Tipperary to Ennis.
In this win over Limerick, Clare were 1-7 to 0-6 ahead at half time after trailing by three points after 12-minutes.
There were encouraging signs for the home side in the early minutes with two points each for captain Eliah Riordan and Michael Southgate.
At the other end of the field, Clare were forced to wait until the 14th minute to open their account from play but once they got a handle on Limerick’s extra man in defence they found their scoring touch. Six successive scores for The Banner put them in the driving seat.
In the 17th minute came the Clare goal – exciting corner forward Jamie Stack powering through the centre before coolly crashing a low drive to the net to level up the contest.
That injection of confidence saw Clare pour forward and Dara Nagle, Stack and Shane Meehan all added points to move Clare 1-7 to 0-5 clear.
Limerick early scoring run dried up and in first half injury time they finally ended a 15-minute barren spell when Shane O’Donoghue kicked a pointed free.
The sides evenly shared six points early in the second half and 10-minutes into the new half it was 1-10 to 0-9 to Clare.
But the next score was to be a Clare goal and the Diarmuid Fahy strike had them well positioned for the home straight, where they found the final six scores without a response against a Limerick side who had lost defender Patrick Dolphin to a second yellow card.
The third goal came in injury time from Eoin Talty to embellish the scoreline.
Scorers for Limerick: S O’Donoghue (0-4, 1free), E Riordan (0-3, 2frees), M Southgate (0-2), S Hanrahan (0-1, free)
Scorers for Clare: S Meehan (0-6, 4frees), J Stack (1-3, 0-2frees), E Talty (1-2), D Fahy (1-0), T Lillis (0-2), D Nagle and C McGroary (0-1).
LIMERICK: S O’Connell; D Geraghty, P Dolphin, F Corcoran; E McGrath, E Riordan, T Marsden; M Southgate, D O’Keeffe; M Donnellan, S O’Donoghue, P O’Dwyer; C Galvin, S Hanrahan, R O’Connor.
Subs: J Corkery for O’Connor (46), J Quinlivan for O’Dwyer (46), R McBrearty for Marsden (50), R O’Connor for Hanrahan (52), S Kilbridge for McGrath (57), J Killian for Donnellan (57m).
CLARE: O O’Loughlin; T Lillis, M Garry, C McMahon; C McGroary, A Killeen, M Reidy; E Rouine, B Rouine; P Doherty, D Fahy, D Nagle; C Hassett, S Meehan, J Stack.
Subs: E Talty for Doherty (h-t), F Kelleher for Reidy (46), S Casey for E Rouine (55), T Meenahan for Hassett (58), E Walshe for Stack (62).
Referee: B Griffin (Kerry)
Match Preview
The Electric Ireland @MunsterGAA Minor Football Championship commences this evening!
— The GAA (@officialgaa) April 10, 2019
Fixture Details
Wednesday April 10th
Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship Phase 1 Round 1
Limerick v Clare
Venue: Newcastlewest @ 6:45pm
Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry)
Admission Details
Adults – €10
Students / OAP’s – €5
Under 16s – Free
Team News
The Limerick minor Football team for the Round 1 clash vs Clare has been named. Game throws in at 6:45 in Newcastle West this Wednesday. All support would be greatly appreciated. Best of luck to all involved. pic.twitter.com/yeatgtYygS
— Limerick Footballers (@LmkFootballers) April 8, 2019
LIMERICK MINOR FOOTBALL TEAM V. CLARE on Wednesday 10th. April in Newcastlewest @ 6.45pm has been selected.
1. Shane O’Connell Fr.Caseys
2. Daniel Geraghty St.Kierans
3. Patrick Dolphin Crecora
4. Frank Corcoran Mungret/St.Pauls
5. Eoin McGrath Galbally
6. Eliah Riordan (Captain) Fr.Caseys
7. Tom Marsden Ahane
8. Michael Southgate Adare
9. Darragh O’Keeffe Fedamore
10. Mark Donnellan Ahane
11. Shane O’Donoghue Ballylanders
12. Peter O’Dwyer Galbally
13. Conor Galvin Mungret/St.Pauls
14. Shane Hanrahan Galbally
15. Ruadhán O’Connor Newcastle West
16. Dylan O’Sullivan Kilteely/Dromkeen
17. Rian McBrearty Monaleen
18. Sean Kilbridge Fr.Caseys
19. Conor Twomey Croom
20. Jack Corkery Knockaderry
21. Rory O’Connor St.Senans
22. Jack Quinlivan Fr. Caseys
23. James Killian Mungret/St.Pauls
24. Killian Bennett Bruff
Extended Panel Members: Cormac Woulfe (St.Senans), Caillum Hedderman (Ballybricken/Bohermore), Josh Dineen (Galbally), Mark Walsh (Galtee Gaels), Conor Stack (Feohanagh/Castlemahon), Jamie Baynham (Monagea), Tomas Sheahan (Askeaton/Ballysteen), Eddie Murphy O’Connor (Askeaton/ Ballysteen), Michael O’Mahony (Adare) & Micheal Cuddihy (Kildimo/Pallaskenry).
Management: Manager: Joe Lee (Newcastle West), Coach: James Ryan, (Galbally), Selectors: Ollie Coffey (Ballylanders), Michael Lenihan (Mountcollins), Liaison Officer: Jacqueline O’Connor (Athea) & Physio: Angela Hogan
Clare Minor Football team to play Limerick on Wednesday evening has been announced https://t.co/PlPHkAp3us pic.twitter.com/nrI94Ksp2l
— Clare Gaa (@GaaClare) April 9, 2019
1.Oisin O’Loughlin O. Ó Lochlain (St. Breckans)
2.Tadgh Lillis, T. Ó Laighléis (Doonbeg)
3. Micheal Garry M. Mag Fhearaigh (Cooraclare)
4.Ciaran McMahon C. Mac Mathúna (Ennistymon)
5. CillainMcGroary C. Mag Ruairí (Corofin)
6. Alan Killeen A. Ó Cillin (St. Josephs Doora Barefield)
7. Matthew Reidy M. Ó Riada (Shannon Gaels)
8. Eoin Rouine E. Ó Ruaín (Ennistymon)
9. Brendan Rouine B. Ó Ruaín (Ennistymon)
10. Pat Doherty P. Ó Dochartaigh (St. Breckans)
11. Diarmuid Fahy D. Ó Fathaigh (Ennistymon)
12. Dara Nagle D. de Nógla (St.Josephs Doora Barefield)
13. Conor Hassett C. Ó hAisí (Kildysart)
14.Shane Meehan S. Ó Miacháin (The Banner – Captain)
15. Jamie Stack S. Stac (St. Breckans)
Subs:
16.Thomas Collins T. Ó Coileáin (Lissycasey)
17.Fionn Kelliher F. Ó Céillachair (St.Josephs Doora Barefield)
18.Stephen Casey S. Ó Cathasaigh (Clondegad)
19.Eoin Talty E. Ó Taltaigh (St.Josephs Doora Barefield)
20.Shane Browne S. de Brún (O’Currys)
21. Tomas Meenahan T. Ó Mianáin (The Banner)
22. Fergal Guinnane F. Ó Coinneáin (Kildysart)
23.Eoin Walshe E. Breatnach (The Banner)
24. Keith Crowley C. Ó Crualaoich (Kilrush Shamrocks)
Manager: Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
Selectors: Mike Neylon (Éire Óg, Inis) Sean Haugh (O’Currys), Michael Griffin (Doonbeg), TJ Carey (Liscannor), Frank Kelly (Shannon Gaels), Jim Conlan (Clondegad)
GAA – Where We All Belong
We’re proud to reveal our new GAA Manifesto – an affirmation of our GAA mission, vision & values. The intention is for this to be proudly displayed anywhere Gaelic games are played at home or abroad. #GAABelong
Young and old, players and volunteers, supporters and administrators, coaches and referees, wherever we are, whatever our role, our GAA is where we all belong. Today we’re celebrating all the people who make our GAA what it is and what our GAA means to us all. #GAABelong pic.twitter.com/Y1hIZ3Gid5
— The GAA (@officialgaa) April 8, 2019
Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Final – Limerick 1-24 Waterford 0-19
Limerick defeated Waterford by 1-24 to 0-19 in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Final on Sunday March 31st at Croke Park.
Match Highlights
Limerick are the Allianz National Hurling League Champions!
Watch the GAANOW Full-Time Highlights here pic.twitter.com/y0ufkV6uXw— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 31, 2019
REPORT: @LimerickCLG claimed #AllianzLeagues glory earning victory over @WaterfordGAA at @CrokePark!
— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 31, 2019
Allianz HL Final: Impressive Limerick triumph
LIMERICK 1-24 WATERFORD 0-19
Report By Cian O’Connell at Croke Park for GAA.ie
Limerick have acquired a valuable habit of winning important games under John Kiely’s shrewd stewardship.
This Allianz League success at GAA headquarters illustrated why Limerick will enter an eagerly anticipated summer as the most respected and in form team in the land.
Buoyed up by their daring and delightful 2018 adventure Limerick have tried to use the spring wisely on their much touted return to Division 1A action.
The first half supplied plenty of evidence of Limerick’s ability to marry graft with craft, especially in attack where turnovers were forced and scores taken.
From 23 attempts before the break Limerick registered 1-12 compared to Waterford’s conversion rate of 0-10 from 17 efforts.
Interesting duels were being played out throughout the field with the Noel Connors versus Aaron Gillane match-up particularly fascinating.
Gillane had the skill and strength to execute a delicious flick resulting in a 27th minute goal just as Waterford were beginning to cause Limerick serious problems.
It had all started so well for Limerick, who thundered into a 0-8 to 0-2 advantage and Waterford were fortunate not to be further behind because Stephen O’Keeffe reacted smartly to make a fine save from Gillane in the seventh minute.
Still Paraic Fanning’s charges did summon a defiant burst which yielded six of the next seven points reducing the deficit to the minimum.
Inevitably Stephen Bennett was prominent drilling scores from play and frees, but Gillane’s goal carried importance.
Tom Morrissey’s delivery located Gillane inside and the prolific Patrickswell attacker was sufficiently skillful to steer the sliotar beyond O’Keeffe.
Michael Walsh and Pauric Mahony replied for Waterford, but Limerick finished the opening period strongly as Gillane, Tom Morrissey, and Graeme Mulcahy all rifled points to steer them five clear.
When the action recommenced Waterford required an injection of momentum and confidence, but they were repeatedly frustrated.
Only four points were struck from 10 attempts in the third quarter, while at the opposite end Limerick nailed six out of eight opportunities.
That is precisely the time that Limerick starting to move into the distance with Declan Hannon’s decorative 44th minute point guiding the standard bearers 1-16 to 0-11 ahead.
There was little wrong with Waterford’s attitude or application showcased by another three point rally which included an Austin Gleeson sideline cut.
Limerick, though, were unperturbed as Gillane drilled two points from play ensuring Waterford remained in considerable distress.
From then until the end all that needed to be determined was the margin of Limerick’s victory with substitutes Seamus Flanagan and Shane Dowling contributing classy points. It was that type of satisfying afternoon for Limerick at the Jones Road venue.
Scorers for Limerick: Aaron Gillane 1-9 (4fs), Peter Casey and Gearoid Hegarty 0-3 each, Cian Lynch and Shane Dowling (1f) 0-2 each,, Seamus Flanagan, Declan Hannon, Tom Morrissey, Graeme Mulcahy, and Darragh O’Donovan (sideline) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Waterford: Stephen Bennett 0-9 (6fs), Pauric Mahony 0-5 (4fs), Austin Gleeson 0-2 (1 sideline), Kevin Moran, Philip Mahony, and Michael Walsh 0-1 each.
LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid; Tom Condon, Sean Finn, Richie English; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Dan Morrissey; Cian Lynch, Darragh O’Donovan; Gearoid Hegarty, Kyle Hayes, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Peter Casey, Graeme Mulcahy.
Subs: Mike Casey for Condon (HT), Seamus Flanagan for Mulcahy (56), Barry Murphy for Gillane (64), Shane Dowling for T Morrissey (64), Paddy O’Loughlin for Hannon (69).
WATERFORD: Stephen O’Keeffe; Shane McNulty, Calum Lyons, Noel Connors; Philip Mahony, Tadhg de Burca, Kevin Moran; Jamie Barron, Michael Walsh; Austin Gleeson, Mikey Kearney, Pauric Mahony; Peter Hogan, Stephen Bennett, Shane Bennett.
Subs: Jack Prendergast for Walsh (HT), Tommy Ryan for Shane Bennett (47), Conor Prunty for Lyons (48), Patrick Curran for Hogan (56), Stephen Roche for Kearney (60).
REFEREE: James Owens (Wexford)
Aaron Gillane Goal
Pure class by Aaron Gillane to find the net for @LimerickCLG pic.twitter.com/lp1ao1jXL9
— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 31, 2019
Limerick are the Allianz National Hurling League Champions of 2019! pic.twitter.com/ZdEDFrODwW
— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 31, 2019
Fixture Details
Sunday March 31
Allianz Hurling League Division One Final
Limerick v Waterford, Croke Park, 2pm
Referee: James Owens (Wexford)
(E.T. if Necessary & Result on the Day)
Team News
LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid (Effin); Tom Condon (Knockaderry), Sean Finn (Bruff), Richie English (Doon); Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell), Declan Hannon (Adare), Dan Morrissey (Ahane); Cian Lynch (Patrickswell), Darragh O’Donovan (Doon); Gearoid Hegarty (St Patricks), Kyle Hayes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), Tom Morrissey (Ahane); Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell), Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh), Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock)
Subs: Barry Hennessy (Kilmallock), Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh), David Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh), Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh), Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon), Robbie Hanley (Kilmallock), Barry Murphy (Doon), Barry Nash (South Liberties), Paddy O’Loughlin (Kilmallock), William O’Meara (Askeaton), Colin Ryan (Pallasgreen)
The Waterford Senior Hurling Team to face Limerick in Sunday's Allianz National Hurling League Final was named following training tonight.
Best of luck to Paraic Fanning and all his team! #DeiseAbú pic.twitter.com/82gVSywgCC
— Waterford GAA (@WaterfordGAA) March 29, 2019
Waterford: Stephen O’Keeffe; Shane McNulty, Callum Lyons, Noel Connors; Philip Mahony, Tadhg De Búrca, Kevin Moran; Jamie Barron, Austin Gleeson; Mikey Kearney, Michael Walsh, Pauric Mahony; Peter Hogan, Stephen Bennett, Shane Bennett.
Allianz Football League Division 1 Final – Mayo 3-11 Kerry 2-10
Mayo defeated Kerry by 3-11 to 2-10 in the Allianz Football League Division 1 Final on Sunday March 31st at Croke Park.
Match Highlights
Mayo are the Allianz National Football League Champions!
Watch the GAANOW Full-Time Highlights here pic.twitter.com/DtQIJ8CQGN— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 31, 2019
MATCH REPORT: @MayoGAA survive late scare to defeat @Kerry_Official in the Allianz Football League Division 1 Final.
— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 31, 2019
Mayo crowned Allianz Football League Division 1 champions
Allianz Football League Division 1 Final
MAYO 3-11 KERRY 2-10
Report By John Harrington at Croke Park for GAA.ie
As the Green and Red of Mayo blasted from the loudspeakers shortly after the final whistle blew on this Allianz Football League Division 1 Final, there was a real sense of catharsis in Croke Park.
Mayo have suffered serial heartbreak in this stadium in recent years, so this was a very sweet moment for their players and supporters alike.
It might not quite make up for the four All-Ireland Finals they’ve lost in this decade, but the genuine outpouring of emotion from both the Mayo players and supporters afterwards spoke volumes for just how much this win meant.
It was a thoroughly deserved one too, but, Mayo being Mayo, they didn’t make it easy on themselves and but for a brilliant injury-time save by Robert Hennelly would probably have lost.
It was only when substitute Ciaran Treacy goaled in the third minute of injury time that the long-suffering Mayo supporters would have allowed themselves to believe they were going to win this match.
That goal really put the icing on a brilliant second-half performance from the Connacht side after what had been a scrappy and error-strewn first half.
Sean O’Shea opened the scoring for Kerry in the very first minute when he won and converted a free, but it was Mayo who looked more convincing in the opening exchanges.
Their hard-running game was gouging big openings in the Kerry defence and they would have had a goal after seven minutes had Shane Ryan not pulled off a fine save from Donal Vaughan’s shot.
Vaughan’s run from deep put him clean through on goal, but Ryan did well to race from his line and smother the shot.
Those sorts of off the shoulder runs continued to trouble the Kerry defence and by the 13th minute Mayo were 0-3 to 0-1 ahead, with their points coming from Fergal Boland, Patrick Durcan and Matthew Ruane.
All that good work was undone though when Kerry went down the field after Ruane’s point to score their first goal of the match.
David Clifford won the ball in the left corner of the pitch and muscled his way towards goal along the 21-yard line.
Just when it looked like he’d taken too much out of the ball he fisted to Gavin Crowley who did brilliantly to step inside Chris Barrett and fire a scud of a shot to the bottom left corner of the net past a helpless Rob Hennelly.
Points followed from Sean O’Shea (f) and Clifford before Jason Doherty hit back for Mayo.
The Connacht side were rocked on their heels again when Kerry struck for their second goal.
Dara Moynihan did well to claim a long ball and then popped a perfectly timed pass to Stephen O’Brien who took it at full pace to outstrip the scrambling Mayo defence.
He still had a lot to do but thanks to a combination of his own ambition and slack Mayo defending he was able to drive as far as the edge of the square before blasting his shot to the same corner of the net that Crowley had already bulged.
Mayo were starting to really lose their way now. They had plenty of possession but were far too lateral in their use of it in front of a massed Kerry defence.
The game was becoming increasingly error-strewn with both teams guilty of errant passes and poor option taking in the opposition’s half.
The only other score before half-time was a Fergal Boland fisted point when he possibly should have shot for goal after rounding Shane Ryan, and so Kerry took a 2-3 to 0-5 lead to the dressing-rooms.
Right from the start of the second-half there was an appreciable improvement in the quality of the game, and that was mainly thanks to Mayo.
James Carr pinged a beauty of a left-footed point from the right win a minute into the half, and then followed that up with one with his right peg after winning a mark out by the left touchline.
It looked like Carr might then score a goal when he picked up the ball with one thought on this mind, but Shane Ryan smothered his close-range shot.
Darren Coen pointed after picking up the rebound and Mayo now really had the wind in their sails with the deficit down to the minimum.
Kerry briefly steadied themselves by kicking the next three points, but all that good work was undone when Mayo scored their first goal of the match on 49 minutes.
Matthew Ruane picked up the ball around 35 yards from goal and played a neat 1-2 with Darren Coen that created the opportunity.
Ruane still had a lot to do, but rounded Jack Barry superbly before drilling an emphatic shot low and hard to the back of the net.
Mayo were rampant now. Ruane and Aidan O’Shea were dominating the middle third, and most of the play was flowing towards Kerry’s goal.
The Connacht team were given further impetus when Diarmuid O’Connor suddenly thundered into the game after a quiet first-half.
Two brilliant long-range points by the Ballintubber man helped Mayo into a 1-11 to 2-7 lead and really rubber-stamped their growing dominance.
There was better to come from him. When Patrick Durcan miscued an attempted point, O’Connor got his fist to the dropping ball ahead of Shane Ryan to punch it to the back of the net push Mayo three points clear.
There were just five minutes of normal time left to play, but, Mayo gave their supporters palpitations down the home stretch.
Paul Geaney reduced the gap to two points and then Kerry were given further encouragement when the hugely influential Aidan O’Shea was given his marching orders after getting a second yellow-card.
Then came Hennelly’s moment of heroism when he made an incredible reflex save after David Clifford attempted to palm a Stephen O’Brien pass to the back of the net from point-blank range.
Clifford did manage to score a point shortly afterwards to leave just one point between the teams with two minutes to go.
But just when you thought a Kerry equaliser was inevitable, Mayo finished the match with a huge exclamation mark when Treacy goaled.
Diarmuid O’Connor and Andy Moran combined to put him through on goal, and Treacy showed a lot of bottle to take the shot on rather than fist the ball over the bar.
The net billowed and Mayo supporters jumped for joy. This feeling was a long time coming for them.
Scorers for Mayo: Diarmuid O’Connor 1-2, Matthew Ruane 1-1, Ciaran Treacy 1-0, James Carr 0-2 (1 M), Fergal Boland 0-2, Jason Doherty 0-2 (1f), Patrick Durcan 0-1, Darren Coen 0-1,
Scorers for Kerry: Sean O’Shea 0-5 (5f), Gavin Crowley 1-1, Stephen O’Brien 1-0 David Clifford 0-2, Jack Barry 0-1, Paul Geaney 0-1,
MAYO: Robert Hennelly; Chris Barrett, Brendan Harrison, Keith Higgins; Patrick Durcan, Lee Keegan, Donal Vaughan; Matthew Ruane, Aidan O’Shea; Fergal Boland, Jason Doherty, Diarmuid O’Connor; Kevin McLoughlin, Darren Coen, James Carr
Subs: Andy Moran for Darren Coen (51), Colm Boyle for Donal Vaughan (58), Evan Regan for James Carr (62), Ciaran Treacy for Jason Doherty (67)
KERRY: Shane Ryan; Peter Crowley, Jack Sherwood, Graham O’Sullivan; Gavin Crowley, Paul Murphy, Tom O’Sullivan; Jack Barry, Diarmuid O’Connor; Dara Moynihan, Sean O’Shea, Stephen O’Brien; David Clifford, Tommy Walsh, Kevin McCarthy
Subs: James O’Donoghue for Dara Moynihan (ht), Jason Foley for Jack Sherwood (40), Mark Griffin for Kevin McCarthy (42), Paul Geaney for Tommy Walsh (54), Gavin O’Brien for Gavin Crowley (66)
Ref: Fergal Kelly (Longford)
Fixture Details
Sunday March 31
Allianz Football League Division One Final
Kerry v Mayo, Croke Park, 4pm
Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford)
(E.T. if Necessary & Result on the Day)
Team News
Mayo: Robert Hennelly; Chris Barrett , Brendan Harrison, Keith Higgins ; Paddy Durcan, Lee Keegan, Donal Vaughan; Matthew Ruane, Aidan O’Shea; Fergal Boland, Jason Doherty, Diarmuid O’Connor (c); Kevin McLoughlin, Darren Coen, James Carr
Team Announcement: Kerry vs Mayo – Allianz Football League, Division 1 Final. Click to watch. pic.twitter.com/8ZJdOmySA4
— Kerry GAA (@Kerry_Official) March 29, 2019
Kerry: Shane Ryan (Rathmore); Peter Crowley, Jack Sherwood, Graham O’Sullivan; Gavin Crowley, Paul Murphy (c ), Tom O’Sullivan; Jack Barry, Diarmuid O’Connor; Dara Moynihan, Sean O’Shea, Stephen O’Brien; David Clifford, Tommy Walsh, Kevin McCarthy
Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Semi-Final – Waterford 1-18 Galway 0-19
Waterford defeated Galway by 1-18 to 0-19 in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Semi-Final on Sunday March 24th at Nowlan Park Kilkenny.
Match Highlights
Watch the Full-Time highlights from @WaterfordGAA and @Galway_GAA here!
Full-Time score:
Waterford 1-18
Galway 0-19 pic.twitter.com/dGskmvhrWO— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 24, 2019
REPORT: It was a satisfying afternoon at Nowlan Park for @WaterfordGAA who advance to the #AllianzLeagues Final following a hard earned win over @Galway_GAA!
— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 24, 2019
Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Semi-Final – Limerick 1-19 Dublin 1-16
Limerick defeated Dublin by 1-19 to 1-16 in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Semi-Final on Sunday March 24th at Nowlan Park Kilkenny.
Match Highlights
Check out the Full-Time highlights from @LimerickCLG v @DubGAAOfficial here!
Full-Time score:
Limerick 1-19
Dublin 1-16 pic.twitter.com/4kUVVMpzte— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 24, 2019
REPORT: @LimerickCLG defeat @OfficialDubGAA in #AllianzLeagues Semi-Final at Nowlan Park!
— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 24, 2019
Allianz Football League Division 1 – Mayo 1-10 Kerry 0-11
Mayo defeated Kerry by 1-10 to 0-11 in Round 6 of the Allianz Football League Division 1 on Saturday March 16th at Austin Stack Park Tralee.
Match Highlights
Check out the best of the action from @Kerry_Official v @MayoGAA here. pic.twitter.com/fsIniP6SgM
— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 16, 2019
REPORT: A Matthew Ruane goal clinched victory for @MayoGAA over @Kerry_Official in tonight's Allianz Football League Division 1 clash at Croke Park.
— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 16, 2019
Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Quarter-Final – Waterford 0-31 Clare 1-14
Waterford defeated Clare by 0-31 to 1-14 in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Quarter-Final on Saturday March 16th at Walsh Park Waterford.
Match Highlights
Watch the GAANOW Full-Time Highlights as Waterford have beaten Clare in the Allianz Leagues! pic.twitter.com/IUZVuEUvVX
— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 16, 2019
REPORT: Wonderful @WaterfordGAA power to high-scoring Allianz Hurling League Quarter-Final victory over @GaaClare.
— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 16, 2019
Match Day Information
Please take note of some important match day information for Saturday’s eagerly awaited Allianz National Hurling League Quarter-Final v Clare in Walsh Park at 3pm! #BeTheAllTheWay https://t.co/IzAhCqWJhg pic.twitter.com/wIOzs25hsE
— Waterford GAA (@WaterfordGAA) March 13, 2019
Team News
Clare: Donal Tuohy; Seadna Morey, David McInerney, Jack Browne; Patrick O’Connor, Conor Cleary, Cathal Malone; Shane Golden, Colm Gavin; Peter Duggan, Tony Kelly, Aidan McCarthy; Gary Cooney, Aron Shanagher, Podge Collins.
Waterford: Stephen O’Keeffe; Shane McNulty, Philip Mahony, Noel Connors; Callum Lyons, Kevin Moran, Austin Gleeson; Jamie Barron, Colm Roche; Jack Prendergast, Mikey Kearney, Pauric Mahony; Tommy Ryan, Stephen Bennett, Shane Bennett.
