Kerry 2-12 Dublin 1-12
Kerry are through to the All-Ireland semi-finals after victory over Dublin in this afternoon’s quarter-final replay at Semple Stadium, Thurles.
The reigning All-Ireland champions lacked conviction in their play but nevertheless displayed a better eye for the target than their out of sorts opponents.
Kerry finished the game with fourteen men after half-back Tomas O’Se - a nephew of manager Paidi O’Se - received a straight red from referee Pat McEnaney for his late challenge on Colin Moran two minutes into the second half.
Dublin made a late change only minutes before the 3p.m. throw-in, omitting Ian Robertson and drafting in Ken Darcy. Colin Moran moved to full forward.
The Dubs started well and enjoyed the lions share of possession. However their lack of endeavor in front of the posts once again proved costly with a mere two scores registered by the 17th minute.
Kerry corner forward Johnny Crowley, so clinical in the original fixture one week ago, was at his sparkling best as early as the 12th minute.
Noel Kennelly flicked a generous ball deep into Dublin territory. The bounce outwitted full back Paddy Christie and found its way to Crowley who, in acres of space, found the net despite the attention of Davy Byrne and Johnny McGee.
Dublin lacked a target man up front and were well contained by the excellent Kerry full back line. Dessie Farrell scored a bustling point in the 17th minute but Kerry at this stage were beginning to settle and attacked soon after with yet another well executed move.
On 22 minutes Crowley, once again, reacted quickly to another ‘over the top’ ball to collect and drill home his second goal of the game. Kerry led by seven points and took that advantage into the break on a scoreline of 2-5 to 0-2.
In the second half, moments after O’Se’s sending off, Dublin introduced Vinny Murphy while Kerry brought on Maurice Fitzgerald.
Kerry dominated the opening exchanges of the second period and should have put the game beyond doubt. But time and again Kerry gifted Dublin opportunity to recover by conceding needless frees in and around the area. Declan Darcy duly converted.
Dublin’s biggest life-line arrived in the 46th minute when midfielder Darren Homan, goal hero last week, provided the goods once again. He collected Peadar Andrews’s timely lay-off to drill to the back of Declan O’Keeffe’s goal from close range.
With the gap reduced to four points Dublin supporters prayed for yet another late-late show from the 1995 All-Ireland champions. But Kerry maintained the pressure and pointed again from the deadly Mike Frank Russell.
Substitute Wayne McCarthy scored a free and a point from play to leave the Dubs trailing by three. Coman Goggins, who excelled in the Dublin defence, and Niall O’Donoghue brought tremendous saves from O’Keefe late in the game but it was all too little too late for Tom Carr’s men.