All-Ireland SFC Group 4, round three
Kerry 2-21 Louth 1-10
KERRY marched into the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-finals with a relatively straightforward 2-21 to 1-10 victory over Louth at O’Moore Park. Both sides knew coming into this that they would have some form of knockout football to come and, despite the defeat, Louth will play in the preliminary quarter-finals next week.
Louth will host next week due to their superior points difference to Monaghan which is a credit to Ger Brennan’s men for digging in in a game that could have got away from them. David Clifford moved through the gears nicely and kicked seven points – five coming from frees – while Diarmuid O’Connor and Tadgh Morley goals in the second half were crucial.
A year ago, the Wee County capitulated and Kerry ran out 26 point winners but this season’s Leinster finalists were more stubborn this time around. A late first-half goal for the industrious Donal McKenny summed up their efforts and they will take plenty of confidence into next week.
Despite this three-pointer, Kerry led 0-13 to 1-05 at the break and upped their steady scoring rate and raised the green flags twice to pull out of sight. While Louth are straight back into action next week, Jack O’Connor’s men have a fortnight to prepare for their quarter-final.
