Paul Geaney of Kerry in action against Galway players, from left, Johnny McGrath, Paul Conroy and Séan Mulkerrin of Galway during the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Galway and Kerry at Pearse Stadium in Galway. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile.
Allianz Football League Division One
Kerry 3-24 (3-0-24) Galway 2-19 (2-3-13)
By Billy Coss at Pearse Stadium
AN afternoon of high drama and fluctuating fortunes ended with fifth placed Kerry outgunning table toppers Galway in Salthill to qualify for next weekend's Allianz Football League Division One final with Mayo.
The Tribesmen, Dublin and Donegal occupied the top three places before a ball was kicked on the final afternoon of round-robin action. However, it was the Kingdom who shot the lights out with 3-17 of their 3-24 coming from open play in a sensational attacking display.
Jack O'Connor's side had 14 unique scorers with first half goals from Gavin White and Dylan Geaney followed by a third after the break from sub Damien Bourke. Their bench also delivered in spades, adding 1-7 to help propel them over the line.
Galway's wait for a first top-flight title since 1981 continues. They made five changes to their programme line-up with Seán Mulkerrin, Kieran Molloy, Finnian Ó Laoi, Cillian Ó Curraoin and Damien Comer coming in for Seán Fitzgerald, Jack Glynn, Céin D'Arcy, Matthew Thompson and Shane Walsh. Graham O'Sullivan replaced Barry Dan O'Sullivan in the sole pre-match alteration for Kerry.
Three goals arrived inside a thrilling first dozen minutes. Kerry captain White and Dylan Geaney both netted before Rob Finnerty responded in kind for Galway as the sides traded on parity, 1-6 to 2-3, after 14 minutes.
Kerry would outscore Galway by four points to three during the ten minutes that Paul Murphy spent in the sin-bin. And with Paul Geaney and David Clifford sending over three points apiece and Paudie Clifford two, the eventual winners went in 2-11 to 1-10 to the good.
They surged further clear after the break with Paul Geaney continuing to top up his tally. But with their top scorer Finnerty, Damien Comer and Johnny Heaney all pointing and Matthew Tierney cracking home a brilliant goal, Galway stormed back to trail by 2-14 to 2-13 on 46 minutes.
Kerry would accelerate clear once more, however. Their substitutes wielded a major influence and when Damien Bourke netted on 61 minutes, their lead was out to a commanding 3-20 to 2-15.
That was to prove the last major blow on the afternoon. Conor Geaney added a couple of late points for Kerry, while Galway closed out with Matthew Tierney and Paul Conroy two-pointers in a contest that delivered a scoring bonanza to the tune of 5-43.
Scorers for Kerry: Paul Geaney 0-7 (6f); Dylan Geaney 1-2, Gavin White and Damien Bourke 1-0 each; David Clifford 0-3 (1f), Conor Geaney, Tony Brosnan, Barry Dan O'Sullivan and Paudie Clifford 0-2 each; Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Dylan Casey, Micheál Burns and Killian Spillane 0-1 each.
Scorers for Galway: Rob Finnerty 1-6 (5f), Matthew Tierney 1-3 (1 2tpf), Kieran Molloy 0-3 (1 2pt), Paul Conroy 0-2 (1 2pt); Cillian Ó Curraoin (f), Cillian McDaid, Finnian Ó Laoi, Damien Comer, Johnny Heaney 0-1 each.
Kerry: Shane Murphy; Dylan Casey, Jason Foley, Paul Murphy; Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Mike Breen, Gavin White (captain); Joe O'Connor, Seán O'Brien; Micheál Burns, Paudie Clifford, Graham O'Sullivan; David Clifford, Paul Geaney, Dylan Geaney. Subs: Damien Bourke for Casey (temp, 17-21), Barry Dan O'Sullivan for O'Connor (temp, 20-25), Barry Dan O'Sullivan for O'Brien (47), Tony Brosnan for Burns (50), Killian Spillane for O'Sullivan (54), Damien Bourke for Murphy (57), Conor Geaney for Dylan Geaney (62).
Galway: Connor Gleeson; Daniel O'Flaherty, Seán Mulkerrin, Johnny McGrath; Kieran Molloy, Liam Silke, Seán Kelly (captain); Paul Conroy, John Maher; Matthew Tierney, Cillian McDaid, Finnian Ó Laoi; Cillian Ó Curraoin, Damien Comer, Rob Finnerty. Subs: Céin D'Arcy for Maher (32), Cathal Sweeney for Ó Curraoin (33), Johnny Heaney for Comer (43), Jack Glynn for Ó Laoi (temp, 44), Jack O'Neill for O'Flaherty (52), Cian Hernon for McDaid (57).
Referee: Derek O'Mahoney (Tipperary).
