Kerry’s Allianz Football League title defence has started with a win over Roscommon.
At Fitzgerald Stadium the Kingdom were victorious by 2-18 to 1-20 thanks to a last second score
Twice in the opening minutes Kerry went a point in front but on each occasion Roscommon equalised. It was 2 all after 6 minutes. The Kingdom then took over, registering 6 unanswered points between the 9th and 18th minutes. The pick of those was a David Clifford strike from a sideline kick. Clifford and Tomas Kennedy both pointed twice in this period, with Michael Burns and Tadhg Morley also putting over. Roscommon hit back to back points to cut the gap to 0-8 to 0-4 after 22 minutes. Then, Kerry keeper Shane Murphy was called upon to keep the Kingdom net intact. Murphy had performed similar heroics earlier in the game. However, he was finally beaten in the 26th minute as Diarmuid Murtagh palmed home to put the minimum between the sides. The sides were level in the 31st minute, Kerry 0-8 Roscommon 1-5. Roscommon went a point in front in the 33rd minute but that lead was very short lived. A minute later Tomas Kennedy rose highest, outjumping the Roscommon defence to grab possession. He pivoted and shot home to give the Kingdom the advantage. Just before half time Tony Brosnan made it 1-9 to 1-6 for Kerry.
David Clifford had the opening point of the second period. Roscommon responded with a 2 pointer but Clifford put over again and after 41 minutes Kerry led 1-11 to 1-8. With the Kingdom leading by 1-12 to 1-9 after 45 minutes Kerry were awarded a penalty when Tony Brosnan was upended. David Clifford duly obliged from the spot to make it 2-12 to 1-9. With quarter of an hour to go Kerry were ahead 2-14 to 1-11. Roscommon had the next 7 points to draw level at 2-14 to 1-17 by the 62 minute mark. Roscommon then went a point ahead. David Clifford brought Kerry level but a Roscommon two pointer meant Kerry trail3ed with 4 minutes remaining. A minute later David Clifford equalised for Kerry at 2-17 to 1-20. With just over a minute to go Roscommon spurned a great opportunity to go in front, kicking wide from close in. The final play of the game brought the Kerry winner. A free from distance was fielded by Tomas Kennedy. He quickly fisted over the bar just before the hooter sounded.
