N.Y. GAA Kerry survive demanding battle

By Sean O’Reilly

Kerry 2-9, Armagh 1-8

Kerry’s junior footballers secured victory after a dour and hard-fought game with Armagh Sunday at Gaelic Park. This was a physically demanding game and no place for the fainthearted, with two well-drilled teams going at it.

Kerry made better use of possession early on and Scores came from Alan McNamara and Paudie Mulvihil, who impressed at wing forward. Noel McPartland was the best forward for Armagh and he accounted for three of their scores in the opening half all coming from frees.

Kerry’s goal was scored by Andy O’Connor after his shot was deflected to the net off an Armagh defender. This left Kerry 1-3 to 0-1 up after 20 minutes and it looked like a runaway victory for the Kingdom. Armagh, however, got back into the game thanks to a fortunate goal after a deflection off the crossbar following a free from McPartland. The ball dropped to the feet of Francis Hatcher and he some how found the net. The teams went to the break with Kerry leading 1-4 to 1-3. Kerry were 2-5 to 1-3 to the good after just 7 minutes of the second half with Kieran Kull scoring 1-1 in the space of 5 minutes. Lee Grant replied for Armagh but with Kerry’s O’Connor and Mulvihil in top form it was always going to be a Kerry victory.

Liam Hartnett had a fine game at midfield for the winners, scoring 0-2, and he was well assisted by the aforementioned Kull upfront. For Armagh, full back Aidan Lyod tried hard as did McPartland, Collie Fearon and substitute Grant.

Kerry: J. Fogarty, T. Lynch, A. Riney, P. Driscoll, J. Kisane, P. Riney, M. Burke, L. Hartnett 0-2, P. Galvin, A. O’ Connor 1-2, M. O’Connor, P. Mulvihil 0-1, K. Kull 1-2, A., McNamara 0-1, B. Clifford 0-1.

Armagh: P. Tonor, P. McKeown, A. Lyod, G. Burke, G. Stanley, G. Connolly, L. Breslin, C. Fearon 0-1, B. Rafferty, D. McCann, N. Farrelly, F. Hatcher 1-0, O. McPartland, N. McPartland 0-4, C. Trainor 0-2. Subs: L. Grant 0-1, P.Quinn.