Strong first-half showing sees Kingdom secure McGrath Cup silverware

January 22, 2022

Cork goalkeeper Míchéal Martin with Paul Geaney of Kerry. ©INPHO/Bryan Keane.

Jack O'Connor claimed his first piece of silverware since returning as Kerry manager for a third term after the Kingdom saw off close rivals Cork by 12 points in the end of today's McGrath Cup final at Fitzgerald Stadium.

With both teams in experimental mode ahead of the Allianz League opening round next weekend, O'Connor charges were full value for their 2-17 to 0-11 win in Killarney where goals at the beginning and end of the opening half laid a solid platform for the hosts.

Kerry's Sean O’Shea lifts the McGrath Cup. ©INPHO/Bryan Keane.

Paul Geaney was to the fore with 1-4 from play, while he also created the opening goal for his Dingle teammate Tom O'Sullivan in the 4th minute as Kerry raced into a 1-1 to 0-0 lead.

Keith Ricken's side came into the contest with two successive points from Rory McGuire and captain Brian Hurley. However, they conceded 1-4 without reply at the conclusion of the first-half to trail 2-9 to 0-5 at the interval.

McGuire opened the scoring of the second-half before Kerry reeled off six points on the spin through Tony Brosnan, Sean O'Shea, Paudie Clifford, Jack Savage and substitute David Clifford (2) to forge fifteen clear by the 50th minute.

Hurley, Daniel Dineen, Mark Cronin and Rory Maguire chipped in with further scores for the Rebels but they were always chasing the game.


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