A general view of Laois Hire O'Moore Park. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
Electric Ireland MFC Quarter-Final
Kerry 0-14 (0-1-12) Cavan 1-9 (1-1-7)
By John O'Dowd at Laois Hire O'Moore Park
Despite worrying fade-outs in the closing stages of both halves, Kerry had enough reservoirs of stamina and perseverance to see off a storming Cavan challenge in this Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC quarter-final in Portlaoise.
Indeed, after a disappointing first half display, only retiring at the break with a one-point lead (0-6 to 0-5) after playing with the strong wind, the Munster champions were in serious danger of coming a cropper against the fired-up Ulster runners-up.
The Kingdom had hit nine wides during the opening 30 minutes, as they failed to use the elements wisely and, with the Cavan midfield pairing of Sam Maguire and Faolán Graham dominating the primary possession battle, the underdogs were more than holding their own.
However, Kerry improved immeasurably in the third quarter, with corner-forward Ben Kelliher making his presence felt from both play and placed balls. Even the concession of a well-taken 43rd minute Cavan goal, courtesy of corner-back Matthew Duffy, didn’t halt the leaders’ momentum.
By the 50th minute, the Kingdom youngsters were five points to the good, 0-13 to 1-5, and appeared to be in a comfortable position to go on and see the game out. Cavan had different ideas, as they refused to throw in the towel, in any way, shape or form.
Four points on the trot – substitute Gary McCabe, goalkeeper Cian McConnell, Nathan Quigley and top scorer Jay Graham – had the deficit reduced to the minimum, and the game firmly in the melting pot heading into added time.
By this juncture, Kerry were just hanging on by the absolute skin of their teeth, and it was the Breffni men who looked likely to grab a late equalizer and take the game to added time. However, in a dramatic finale, they just could not eke out one more good scoring opportunity.
For their part, the winners were indebted to some strong defending in the closing stages and, in one late, late counter-attack, Liam O’Brien became the third Kerry replacement to hit the target, the young Glenflesk attacker lofting over the insurance point right at the death.
Scorers for Kerry: B Kelliher 0-5 (2fs), K Griffin 0-3 (1tpf), G White 0-2 (1f), D Murphy, T O’Connell, P Ó Mainnín, L O’Brien 0-1 each.
Scorers for Cavan: J Graham 0-5 (2fs, 1tpf), M Duffy 1-0, F Graham, G McCabe, C McConnell, N Quigley 0-1 each.
KERRY: Ruairí Kennedy; Ronan Sheridan, Eoghan Joy, Tadhg Ó Slatara; Danny Murphy, David Sargent, Marcus Clifford; Maidhc Ó Sé, John Curtin; Mark O’Carroll, Gearóid White, Alex Tuohy; Nick Lacey, Kevin Griffin, Ben Kelliher.
Subs: Tadhg O’Connell for Lacey (41), Pádraig Ó Mainnín for Griffin (48), Liam O’Brien for Kelliher (56), James Kissane for Tuohy (58), Conor McGibney for Clifford (60+3).
CAVAN: Cian McConnell; Danny Brady, Christopher Bough, Matthew Duffy; Michael Smith, Harry McMullen, John Donohoe; Sam Maguire, Faolán Graham; CJ Fitzpatrick, Jake Brady, Cathal Smith; Fionán McIntyre, Nathan Quigley, Jay Graham.
Subs: Donagh Lynch for Fitzpatrick (36), Senan Smith for C Smith (47), Gary McCabe for M Smith (48), Kevin Heery for McMullan (54).
Referee: Niall Quinn (Clare).
