Kerry warmed up for next Sunday's mouth-watering NFL opener against Dublin by capturing the McGrath Cup for only the second time in their history at Tralee yesterday.

Kerry 1-11
UCC 0-9

Remarkably, it was the Kingdom's first success in the pre-season competition in 14 years and afterwards, Killian Young lifted the trophy in the absence of their injured captain Bryan Sheehan.

The All-Ireland champions triumphed, despite finishing the game with just 13 players. Aidan O'Mahony was sent off on a second yellow card, while goal-scorer James O'Donoghue was forced off with an ankle injury in the closing stages after manager Jack O'Connor had already used his allotted five substitutes.

UCC, who have an important Sigerson Cup date with NUIG on Wednesday, came close to finding the net early on, but Kerryman Daithi Casey's shot was tipped over the bar by the home side's goalkeeper Ger Reidy.

A booming Kieran Donaghy point helped settle Kerry and he then played a clever one-two with corner forward O'Donoghue who blasted the opening goal. Points from Declan O'Sullivan and O'Donoghue extended the Kingdom's advantage before frees from David O'Callaghan, Mike Griffin and David Goold brought the students back into it.

But scores from new midfielder Alan O'Sullivan and Paul O'Connor ensured Jack O'Connor's side of a 1-6 to 0-4 half-time lead.

Kerry continued to keep their opponents at a comfortable distance in the second half with O'Sullivan, Donaghy and Donncha Walsh all finding the target. At the other end, UCC lived off frees and never threatened an upset.

Scorers - Kerry: J O'Donoghue 1-3 (2f), Alan O'Sullivan 0-3, K Donaghy 0-2, Declan O'Sullivan, D Walsh, and Paul O'Connor 0-1 each. UCC: D O'Callaghan (2f), D Casey 0-2 each, D Gould (1f), D Kearney(1f), B Shanahan, M Griffin and R O'Hagen 0-1 each

Kerry: G Reidy; P Reidy, T Griffin, P Corridan; A Shine O'Sullivan, A O'Mahony, K Young, M Quirke, Alan O'Sullivan; P Galvin; Declan O'Sullivan, D Walsh; J O'Donoghue, K Donaghy, P O'Connor. Subs: Paudge O'Connor for P Reidy (h/t), B J Keane for Paul O'Connor (40), S Scanlon for M Quirke (45), K O'Leary for D O'Sullivan (50), B Looney for D Walsh (50)

UCC: K O'Halloran; L Jennings, D O'Donovan, S Enright; B Daly, A Greaney, P Crowley; B Shanahan, M Mennis; D Casey, M Griffin, D O'Callaghan; L Shorten, D Gould, C Daly. Subs: E Hegarty for S Enright (21), R O'Hagen for D Gould (h/t), S Kiely for M Mennis (50), B McPolin for K O'Halloran (57), R Buckley for D O'Callaghan (58)

Referee: Maurice Condon (Waterford). Tweet

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