Kerry 2-23 Limerick 0-6
It was a difficult night at the office in Tralee for Limerick Senior Footballers as their 2022 season commenced with a 23 point reversal to All-Ireland favourites Kerry.
Limerick are defending McGrath Cup champions, though so much has changed since Iain Corbett and Donal OโSullivan lifted that silverware in early 2020.
Billy Lee made two changes to the advertised team, with Diarmaid Kelly and Rory OโBrien coming in for debuts, with Adrian Enright and James Naughton missing out.
It was the Clifford brothers who did significant damage, particularly in the opening quarter. The first goal was for Paudie, who finished from close range as the initial goal change appeared to have evaporated. This made it 1-2 to no score after just five minutes, before Cillian Fahy replied with a well taken point for the visitors.
But it was one way traffic for the next 15 minutes. David Clifford poked home following a sweeping move before Paul Geaney landed a few nice points.
By the water-break, it was 2-4 to 0-1. Liam OโSullivan was introduced for his debut and immediately notched a fine point, but Kerry kicked eight of the last nine scores of the half, with Pa Warren, Killian Spillane and both Cliffordโs taking scores. A square ball denied a Kerry a third goal as Limerickโs kickout came under severe pressure.
The half-time score read 2-13 to 0-3. Limerick struggled to deal with Kerryโs pace as the hosts were clinical in front of the posts.
The withdrawal of David Clifford at half-time might have eased Limerickโs minds, but the fact that Sean OโShea was introduced showed the depth which Kerry possess.
Limerick were able to hand more debuts in the second half with Rathkealeโs Barry Coleman, John Hayes of St. Kieranโs introduced together. Mungret St. Paulโs man Shane Barry and Ballysteenโs Darragh Ranahan were also introduced.
Dara Noonan and Peter Nash both kicked over fine points in the final quarter but it the result was clear from the early exchanges.
Scorers:
Kerry: David Clifford 1-4 (0-1 free, 0-1 mark); Paudie Clifford 1-2; Killian Spillane, Sean OโShea (0-3 frees), Tony Brosnan (0-1 free), Paul Geaney 0-3 (0-1 free, 0-1 mark) 0-3 each; Gavin Crowley 0-1, Stephen OโBrien, Pa Warren, Dara Moynihan, Michael Burns 0-1 each.
Limerick: Cillian Fahy 0-2; Liam OโSullivan, Robbie Bourke, Dara Noonan, Peter Nash 0-1 each.
Kerry: Shane Murphy, Dan OโDonoghue, Jason Foley, Tom OโSullivan; Pa Warren, Mike Breen, Gavin Crowley; Stefan Okunbor, Adrian Spillane; Dara Moynihan, Paudie Clifford, Stephen OโBrien; Killian Spillane, David Clifford, Paul Geaney.
Subs Used: Cian Gammel for Warren (HT), Tony Brosnan for D. Clifford (HT), Sean OโShea for Okunbor (HT), Brian รโBeaglaรญoch for Breen (44 mins), Michรกel Burns for P. Clifford (44 mins), Jack Savage for Moynihan (48 mins), Paul OโShea for A. Spillane (50 mins), Dara Roche for Geaney (54 mins).
Limerick: Donal OโSullivan; Jim Liston, Luke Murphy, Maurice OโSullivan; Tony McCarthy, Cillian Fahy, Colm McSweeney; Darragh Treacy, Rory OโBrien; Pรกdraig De Brรบin; Diarmaid Kelly, Dara Noonan, Peter Nash, Robbie Bourke, Hugh Bourke.
Subs Used: Liam OโSullivan for M. OโSullivan (15 mins), John Hayes for OโBrien (46 mins), Barry Coleman for R. Bourke (46 mins), Shane Barry for Kelly (54 mins), Darragh Ranahan for Liston (59 mins)
Referee: John Ryan (Cork)
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