ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL

Kerry 3-15 Roscommon 0-14

By Cian O'Connell at Croke Park

Kerry cruised to an emphatic Allianz Football League semi-final victory over Roscommon at Croke Park.

Three opening period Kerry goals meant Kerry didn’t encounter too much bother against Roscommon, who were soundly beaten by Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s team.

With Kieran Donaghy and David Moran prominent at centerfield Kerry dictated the majority of the contest.

Though Roscommon kicked two of the first three points Kerry responded by reeling off 1-5 without reply to seize the initiative.

It was a brilliant burst from Kerry featuring scores from Cooper and Darran O’Sullivan before Fitzmaurice’s side pounced for a 13th minute goal.

Stephen O’Brien dashed clear to release Cooper, who provided a sweet left footed finish to rattle the Roscommon net.

Further points from Marc O’Se, Johnny Buckley, and O’Sullivan ensured Kerry led by 1-6 to 0-2 at the end of the first quarter.

Roscommon rallied briefly with the Murtagh brothers, Ciaran and Diarmuid, registering points, but Kerry then struck a second goal.

Moran’s delivery was gathered by Donnchadh Walsh, who thumped the ball beyond Geoffrey Claffey’s despairing dive.

On the stroke of half-time O’Sullivan added a third Kerry major as they departed at the break armed with a commanding 3-8 to 0-5 advantage.

After the restart Cooper and O’Sullivan rifled points for Kerry, but Roscommon did hit five of the next six scores to narrow the gap, 3-11 to 0-10.

Kerry, though, easily closed out the deal advancing to the decider with the minimum of fuss.

Scorers for Kerry: C Cooper 1-5 (5fs), D O’Sullivan 1-4, D Walsh 1-0, P Murphy 0-2, J Buckley 0-1, BJ Keane 0-1, B O’Sullivan 0-1, M O Se 0-1.

Scorers for Roscommon: C Murtagh 0-4 (3fs), D Murtagh 0-4 (3fs), N Collins 0-2, C Devaney 0-1, S McDermott 0-1, G Claffey 0-1 (45), D Shine 0-1 (45).

Kerry: B Kelly; M O'Se, M Griffin, S Enright; P Crowley, A O'Mahony, F Fitzgerald; K Donaghy, D Moran; J Buckley, P Murphy, D Walsh; D O'Sullivan, C Cooper, S O'Brien.

Subs: B Sheehan for Buckley (19 mins), K Young for Fitzgerald (47 mins), A Fitzgerald for O’Brien (49 mins), BJ Keane for Walsh (54 mins), B O’Sullivan for Moran (58 mins), P O’Connor for Crowley (62 mins).

Roscommon: G Claffey; S McDermott, N Collins, N McInerney; D Murray, S Purcell, S Mullooly; N Daly, C Shine; F Cregg, C Murtagh, C Devaney; D Murtagh, S Kilbride, C Cregg.

Subs: D Shine for C Shine (36 mins), R Stack for Purcell (36 mins), D Keenan for Mullooly (47 mins), N Kilroy for C Cregg (56 mins), R Daly for Devaney (56 mins), J McDermott for N Daly (66 mins).

Referee: P Hughes (Armagh).