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ON THE AFTERNOON that a new football championship format was wheeled into view, an established pattern was ended as Kerry tasted defeat on home soil in this setting for the first time in 28 years.
Their unbeaten championship record at Kingdom venues stretched back to the 1995 Munster final, but they were taken down by a superb showing by Mayo here.
Trailing by five at the interval, that was the margin in arrears that Kerry were by the final whistle. Eoghan McLaughlin drilled home the only goal of the game in the 60th minute, shortly after being sprung from the bench.
Another stunning showing by David Clifford that yielded 0-8 could not prevent Kerry from succumbing to an opening group stage loss.
If Mayo had concerns about their performance carrying a layer of rust following a six-week layoff, the first half swiftly dispelled that. They posted the opening two points of the game, and while Kerry drew level at 0-3 apiece by the 12th minute, they were in arrears for the remainder of the half.
At the break it stood 0-12 to 0-7, an accurate reflection of Mayo’s authority but a position that was only fashioned by a turbo-charged boost before the interval as they reeled off four points in succession.
More to follow…
Scorers for Mayo: Ryan O’Donoghue 0-5 (0-2f), Aidan O’Shea 0-3 (0-2f, 0-1 mark), James Carr 0-3, Eoghan McLaughlin 1-0, Matthew Ruane 0-2, Paddy Durcan 0-1, Jack Carney 0-1, Jordan Flynn 0-1, Pádraig O’Hora 0-1, Jason Doherty 0-1, Donnacha McHugh 0-1.
Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 0-8 (0-3f), Paul Geaney 0-3, Seán O’Shea 0-3 (0-2f, 0-1 ’45), Tom O’Sullivan 0-2, Dara Moynihan 0-1.
1. Colm Reape (Knockmore)
24. Pádraig O’Hora (Ballina Stephenites), 3. David McBrien (Ballaghaderreen), 21. Donnacha McHugh (Castlebar Mitchels)
4. Sam Callinan (Ballina Stephenites), 6. Conor Loftus (Crossmolina Deel Rovers), 2. Jack Coyne (Ballyhaunis),
8. Matthew Ruane (Breaffy), 9. Diarmuid O’Connor (Ballintubber)
12. Jordan Flynn (Crossmolina Deel Rovers), 11. Jack Carney (Kilmeena), 18. Jason Doherty (Burrishoole),
14. James Carr (Ardagh), 13. Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy), 15. Ryan O’Donoghue (Belmullet)
Subs
1. Shane Ryan (Rathmore)
2. Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks), 3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue), 4. Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle)
5. Graham O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses), 6. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe), 7. Gavin White (Dr Crokes)
8. Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gaeil), 9. Jack Barry (Na Gaeil)
10. Dara Moynihan (Spa), 11. Seán O’Shea (Kenmare Shamrocks), 12. Paudie Clifford (Fossa)
13. Tony Brosnan (Dr Crokes), 14. David Clifford (Fossa – captain), 15. Paul Geaney (Dingle)
Subs
Referee: Seán Hurson (Tyrone)
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Mayo for Sam
Another mad decision to put that game on the Grab All Assoc app
C’mon the green and red. The only team that makes jackeens toss and turn all night.
The lack of serious competitive games in Munster is really hurting Kerry. Only of the almighty brilliance of David Clifford – Kerry would be in big trouble.
@Tim Brennan: kerry have won more AI than anyone else while playing in Munster!!!!!
It wasn’t the worst game. This one had the feeling of a big day out about it and at least drew a half decent crowd. People don’t seem to like the quality on offer and the new format. The grand total of people attending the Munster Championships this year was something under 30,000, which is pretty paltry.
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