East Kerry successfully defended their title after boasting too much fire power for St Kieran's in an entertaining county final played in perfect conditions at Austin Stack Park in Tralee on Sunday.

The champions won the vital midfield battle through county star and man of the match, Donal Daly, who reigned supreme. East Kerry's first goal came from county star John Crowley in the 42nd minute, when he gave the goalkeeper no chance with a pile driver. Jack Dennehy goaled for St Kieran's but any chance of recovery was dashed when wing forward Liam Murphy scored a second goal for the champions. A double save by county goalkeeper Declan O'Keeffe was another turning point in a deserved victory for East Kerry.

Kieran's enjoyed early dominance but their shooting did not match their efforts. Kieran's Sean McElligott registered the first score of the game in the seventh minute but it was cancelled out by a Crowley point two minutes later.

Kieran's extended their lead with points from John McGlynn (free) and McElligott. An exchange of points between Michael Cahill and Jack Dennehy then left two points separating the teams. The unerring boot of McElligott extended Kieran's lead to three points after 23 minutes. East Kerry dominated for the next five minutes and points from Denis Moynihan, two frees from Jerry Murphy and a point from Stephen Flynn took the score to 0-6 to 0-5 in favour of the champions at halftime. Kieran's would surely have been in front at the break if it weren't for inaccuracy.

County under-21 star Liam Brosnan was injured but made an appearance for St Kieran's in the second half.

The sides were level after 36 minutes. McElligott scored two points, one from a free, and Crowley scored a good point for East Kerry.

After another exchange of points between John McGlynn and Sean O'Leary, the teams were deadlocked on eight points after 39 minutes.

The goal from Crowley came three minutes later and there was no way the champions were going to relinquish their crown. They can thank the efforts of half-backs of Charlie McCarthy, Seamus Moynihan and Denis Moynihan, midfielders Daly and O'Connor, and the efforts of Liam Murphy, O'Leary, Murphy and Crowley.

Their second goal, from Murphy, put seven points between the sides.

East Kerry: D O'Keeffe; A Morris, T O'Sullivan, M O'Donoghue; C McCarthy, S Moynihan, D Moynihan (0-1); C O'Connor, D Daly; L Murphy (1-1), S O'Leary (0-3), S Flynn (0-1); G Murphy (0-4), J Crowley (capt) (1-1), M Cahill (0-1). Subs: M Cronin, P O'Donoghue (0-1), D O'Sullivan.

St Kieran's: L O'Sullivan; C Greaney, J Flynn, J O'Connell; T Coakley, C Scanlon, R O Rahilly; S O'Connor (capt) (0-1), J McGlynn (0-2); G O'Keeffe, D Dennehy, J Dennehy (1-1); S McElligott (0-6), D D Rahilly, T O'Connor.

Referee: M O'Sullivan (Ballyheigue).