Kerry produced a resolute performance to beat Carlow in yesterday's Division 2A hurling final at Semple Stadium but must next beat Offaly in a winner-takes-all clash next Sunday to gain promotion to Division 1B.

The Kingdom will start as outsiders against the Faithful County but they were also outsiders to upset a Carlow side containing six of the Mount Leinster Rangers players who contested last month's All-Ireland club final.

Kerry manager Eamonn Kelly believes that Kerry should now be promoted. He said: “It’s the only division it’s happening in but we can’t do anything about that . . . We’ll be fighting tooth and nail again the next day.”

Kerry trailed by 0-9 to 3-6 at half-time after Marty Kavanagh had netted two goals for Carlow and Denis Murphy another. But Kerry came roaring back in the second half with goals from Colm Harty and John Egan before Shane Nolan buried a penalty. They were left hanging on as Denis Murphy had the chance to equalise with a 69th minute penalty.