Kerry will go into the playoffs in disarray, having seemingly lost their winning touch. Monaghan, erroneously counted out the playoff picture in these pages last week, continue to cling to slim playoff hopes.
This performance could propel Monaghan into a playoff qualifier if Leitrim and Donegal play to draw in a match that was to have been played Tuesday, after the Echo’s deadline.
Monaghan came out firing on all cylinders, led by center forward Shane McInerney. His two fine points got the Ulster side rolling, and Monaghan stretched their lead to 0-6 to 0-0. Nestor Allen and Mark Dobbin pointed before McInerney’s free established Monaghan’s early dominance.
Kerry were in trouble, but with only 10 minutes gone, time was still their ally. Their talented corner forward, Kevin Lynch, put Kerry right back in the hunt with a beautiful chipped goal.
Sent in on goal alone, Lynch cheekily floated the ball over the advancing goalkeeper’s head for the 3-pointer. Bingo O’Driscoll drove over two frees and just like that Kerry were back level.
All the hard work Monaghan had put in, and a few kicks from Kerry had evened it up. Kerry went ahead on another O’Driscoll free on the quarter hour, but Monaghan were not intimidated.
Four straight Monaghan points signaled their intention to win this match. Paddy Skeath, McInerney, and Paul McGlynn, twice, were scorers.
Kerry inserted Ed O’Sullivan just after Lynch’s point set the halftime scoreline at 0-9 to 1-4 in Monaghan’s favor.
The second half was all about heart and desire with both teams battling every step of the way. Monaghan lost two men with injuries on one play, with Eddie Greenan and Mark Dobbin heading to the sideline.
Kerry began to assert themselves, eventually pulling even on a great point from Bingo, firing over from at least 50 yards. Bingo’s subsequent free gave Kerry the lead, and with Kenneth Dillon giving a powerful performance at midfield, Monaghan were on the ropes.
McInerney pointed a free, but Eugene McGrath quickly put Kerry back on top. Kerry seemed to be on their way to the winner’s circle, but Monaghan refused to surrender.
In only their first season in Senior Football A, Monaghan have shown great resolve all season. Never was it more apparent than in the closing stages of Sunday’s match.
Sean Carbin equalized with a good Monagahn point. Nestor Allen’s free barely got over the bar, but it gave Monaghan back the lead. Shane McInerney added one last score and Monaghan had done all they could. Now they could only wait.
Man of the Match: Shane McInerney.
Mongahan: George Duffy, Brian McKenna, Niall Treanor, Dan Scott, Bonnie Duffy, Keith Mahon, Ruari O’Neill (0-1), Paul Rushe, Paddy Skeath (0-1), Shane McInerney (0-6, 3 frees), Mark Dobbin (0-1), Sean Carbin (0-1), Paul McGlynn (0-2), Nestor Allen (0-2, 1 free)
Kerry: Keiran Traynor, Derek Ryan, Barry Dillon, Paul Dillon, Dave McCarthy, Paddy O’Connor, Collie Fearon, Kenneth Dillon, Dave McSweeney, Michael O’Connor, Dave Heasman, Eugene McGrath (0-1), John Cotter, Bingo O’Driscoll (0-6, 5 frees), Kevin Lynch (1-2).