Sport

Hurley's extra-time effort decisive

Kerry 3-15, Roscommon 1-17 A GAME full of drama eventually concluded in a Kerry victory at Croke Park yesterday

Tue Aug 04 2009 - 01:00

Kerry 3-15, Roscommon 1-17A GAME full of drama eventually concluded in a Kerry victory at Croke Park yesterday. It was a cruel outcome for gritty Roscommon who contributed handsomely to a high-quality affair.

Kerry, though, possessed sufficient savvy to deal with Roscommon’s admirable enthusiasm, and substitute Kieran Hurley’s extra-time goal proved decisive.

That the game required extra-time owed much to Roscommon’s pluck. Trailing by three points almost at the end of normal time Daniel Qualter manufactured a free and his delightful delivery was claimed inside by Cathal Shine, who rattled the Kerry net.

While Roscommon were all hearty endeavour Kerry were efficient, and Hurley emerged as the key protagonist when gleaning 1-1 in the 75th minute.

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Mark Reen’s early second-half goal was followed by a Donal O’Sullivan point as Kerry scorched ahead, but Roscommon rifled over six points in a row through Scott Oats, Niall Kilroy (two), Shane Leydon, Aaron Feehily and Qualter. Then O’Sullivan was fouled in the square, and Kerry captain Niall O’Shea goaled the penalty, but Roscommon battled on to force extra-time. Kerry finished with a flourish as Hurley landed the critical blows.

KERRY:P O'Sullivan; M Galvin, P Galvin, N Fitzgerald; G Gibson (0-1), J Coffey, D Wren; S Carroll (0-1), M Brennan; D Kelly (0-1), J Sherwood, D O'Sullivan (0-2); M Reen (1-1), N O'Shea (1-1, 1-0 pen), E O'Connor (0-4, two frees). Subs: M Griffin for Wren (35 mins), J O'Sullivan (0-1) for Kelly (39 mins), I Galvin (0-1) for Reen (49 mins), K Hurley (1-1) for O'Connor (54 mins), M Thiemann for O'Sullivan (57 mins), P Joy (0-1) for Sherwood (60 mins), J Walsh for Brennan (68 mins), J Sherwood for Griffin (70 mins), E O'Connor for O'Shea (78 mins).

ROSCOMMON:N Connaughton; C Cafferky, D Butler, P Feeney; N Daly, P Brogan, D Connellan; D Qualter (0-3, one free), S McNulty; S Oates (0-1), C Shine (1-1), J Carty; N Kilroy (0-4), C Compton (0-1), S Leydon (0-1). Subs: B Carthy (0-1) for Carty (12 mins), A Feehily (0-1, free) for Compton (45 mins), K Donoghue for Carty (54 mins), D Clabby (0-2) for Oates (57 mins), C Murtagh (0-2) for Feehily (60 mins), M Sweeney for Feeney (71 mins), S Oates for Leydon (79 mins).

Referee:G McCormack (Dublin).