Kerry power past Roscommon to reach All-Ireland minor football semi-final – GAA – Roscommon Herald

Kerry 3-18

Roscommon 2-3

Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC Quarter-Final

Roscommon were overpowered by a rampant Kerry side as James Duignan’s side’s promising minor football campaign came to a shuddering halt in Cusack Park, Ennis, this evening.

After a positive provincial championship campaign that gave their supporters plenty of memories, this was a harsh lesson about life in the fast lane as the Kingdom ran out 18-point winners.

But Roscommon aided their opponents’ cause by simply failing to turn up, particularly during the opening 30 minutes of action.

The Rossies won the throw-in against the breeze and a foul on Seán McDonnell procured the opening score of the game for Dean Casey.

Incredibly, they wouldn’t score again in the first half as they were blinded by the sheer physicality and power of the Kingdom.

Two-quick fire points from wing-back Seán Ó Cuinn rewarded Kerry patience as Roscommon defended too deeply.

Another four points followed inside the first ten minutes from Gearóid White (3) and wing-back Gavin O’Keeffe to open up a 0-6 to 0-1 lead.

Dara Curran fluffed his lines from two scoreable frees, highlighting the dearth of confidence now flowing through Roscommon veins.

With Ben Murphy and Killian Dennehy lording midfield, Kerry continued to do as they pleased and four points on the bounce from excellent full-forward Ronan Carroll, including two from play, stretched the Munster champions’ advantage to nine points.

Further disaster followed as an effort from 35 metres from Joey McCarthy flew over Roscommon goalkeeper Patrick Gaynor’s head and into the net. There was still time for Kerry corner-forward Jack Joy to fist a point to hand his side an unassailable 1-11 to 0-1 half-time lead.

To Roscommon’s credit, they were much more aggressive in the tackle after the break but Kerry were just too far ahead.

Kerry substitute Ryan O’Driscoll struck for two quick goals in the last ten minutes, but those three-pointers were sandwiched between a couple of green flags for Eoin Collins who returned to the fray to make his mark after being black-carded earlier in the half.

In the end, Kerry’s sheer physique, power and skill proved too much for Roscommon who will wonder how things might have unfolded if they hadn’t frozen on the big stage during the opening 30 minutes.

KERRY: K. Robak; F. Ryan, M. Lynch, R. Donovan; S. Ó Cuinn (0-2), A. Ó Beaglaoich, G. O’Keeffe (0-1); B. Murphy (0-1), K. Dennehy; G. White (0-4, three frees), J. McCarthy (1-1), É. Murphy (0-2); J. Joy (0-1), R. Carroll (0-5, three frees), M. Horan. Subs used: C. Mac Gerailt for Horan (41 mins), E. O’Flaherty for Murphy (41 mins), D. Sargent for Ó Cuinn (47 mins), R. O’Driscoll (2-1) for Joy (47 mins), G. Casey for White (50 mins).

ROSCOMMON: P. Gaynor; L. Finneran, G. Casey, C. Murray; E. Collins (2-0), K. Kelly, D. Kennedy; D. Devaney, C. Enright; J. McKeon, D. Curran, S. McDonnell; S. Tighe (0-1), S. McGuinness, D. Casey (0-1, a free). Subs used: A. Conroy for McKeon (26 mins), A. Cox (0-1) for D. Casey (36 mins), J. Oates for McGuinness (42 mins), M. Connaughton for Murray (45 mins), C. Mulry for Kennedy (46 mins).

Referee: C. Maguire (Clare).