The incentive surrounding this pivotal Division 1A fixture in Killarney yesterday couldn't quite bring out the best football, and while victory has sent Kerry coasting towards the League's knockout phase, they're still a long way short of convincing contenders. Roscommon travelled to Fitzgerald Stadium with similar prospects, yet a hard-fought and often grinding affair left enough dusting of errors to leave both sides sceptical going into their remaining league fixtures.
For a start, the two-point margin of defeat certainly hides the weakness of Roscommon's display. Kerry will also know they should have been much more comfortable winners - they had eight wides in the first half, half of them from centre forward Liam Hassett.
After a jet-propelled start Seamus Moynihan fired to the net after four minutes, Kerry squandered a myriad of chances in the remainder of the first half, and only Michael Francis Russell and Denis O'Dwyer were able to join Moynihan on the scoresheet.
Paidi O Se, however, that the big concern will be how their total of wides was allowed to reach his side's total of 15 wides. by the game's conclusion. ["]I "I certainly don't think John Crowley or Liam Hassett had their shooting boots on today," he said. "We had Roscommon well opened up in the first 10 minutes but we didn't
Dara O Se had taken an early hold of midfield for the home side and with fit and strong-looking Michael Francis Russell demonstrating plenty of communication with Aodan Mac Gearailt, the prospects looked good for a big win.
Frankie Dolan was the most threatening forward for Roscommon, yet they still had to work hard for their opening point on 12 minutes. John Gillooly and Donal Casserly were particularly slow in finding their feet at midfield.
For all their possession, Kerry had to wait deep into the half before Russell fisted over Kerry's second point. Derek Duggan hit two good frees for Roscommon and as the half wound down Fergal O'Donnell pointed from an impressive run to leave the half-time margin at a single point.
Kerry's lead then decayed to nothing when Stephen Lohan took his first score a minute after the restart. Roscommon juggled their forward line to obvious effect and a third Duggan free put them into 06 to 1-2 lead.
After a quiet start, MacGearailt started making his presence felt and snapped back with one of the rare Kerry points from play.
Kerry manager Paidi O Se moved closer to the sideline urging the hosts to exert more pressure. Russell's sweetly-taken 45 and MacGearailt's second point seemed to fit the bill, but just as the game appeared to take shape, Roscommon levelled again at 1-6 to 0-9, with commanding points from O'Donnell and Dolan.
That, however, was their last rally. Michael McCarthy helped close up the Kerry defence for good and once Russell restored their lead, the result was never really in doubt. Substitute Dara O Cinneide killed off the opposition with a free. Lohan had a late chance to sneak a goal, but Kerry were able to hold on comfortably.
As for the chances of reaching the semi-finals, Kerry manager O Se can at least relax a little more than anyone else in the division. "I suppose things are fitting together quite well now," he said. "By the end of the League we won't be that far away from our first championship game so we can push them a little more now."
Kerry: D O'Keeffe; M McCarthy, B O'Shea, E Galvin; S Moynihan (1-0), E Fitzmaurice, M Hassett; D O Se, D Daly; A MacGearailt (0-2), N Kennelly, D Dwyer (0-1); MF Russell (0-4, two frees, one 45), L Hassett; J Crowley. Subs: D O'Cinneide (0-1) for Dwyer (42 mins); L Murphy for Crowley (47 mins); T O'Sullivan for O'Shea (58 mins); T O Se for Kennelly (65 mins).
Roscommon: D Thompson; E Gavin, J Whyte, R Owens; B Mannion, B Burke, C McDonald; J Gillooly, D Casserly; D Duggan (0-3, all frees), F Grehan, S Casey; F O'Donnell (0-3), S Lohan (0- 1), F Dolan (0-2). Subs: D Gavin for Whyte (33 mins); M Ryan for Mannion (48 mins); C Connelly for Casey (49 mins); E Lohan for Duggan (60 mins); A Nolan for Casserly (65 mins).
Referee: P Fox (Westmeath).
