Another tough lesson for Hartnett's Kingdom
DUBLIN 5-17 KERRY 1-6
Kerry star forward Patrice Dennehy
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THE Kerry team bus left the Portmarnock seaside just before 3.30pm last Sunday. It had been no picnic. The long road home allowed plenty of time for reflection. They had just suffered another heavy defeat in Division 1 of the Bord Gais Energy National League.
The learning curve continues for this young team. The summer will show how well the lessons have been absorbed.
It's not easy trying to find the right blend – that ideal mix of youth and experience, but maybe that old Kerry swagger will return soon enough. It usually does when the sun is out and there's a spring in the sod.
It was always going to be a hard task coming to the home of the All-Ireland finalists. Most people rank the Jackies as the second best team in the land. They almost became number one seeds last September. Dublin v Kerry, no matter what the code, always brings with it a tale of romance.
Their All-Ireland Championship quarter-final meeting last season produced some vintage stuff, but last Sunday's tussle won't linger for long. The Dubs were always in control. They were 2-7 to 0-5 ahead at half-time. Young Niamh McEvoy got the two goals. She completed her hat-trick eight minutes into the second half.
The Kerry defence were kept busy for the hour. Dublin's left corner forward, Orlagh Egan, caused them an amount of problems. She nudged in Dublin's third goal, four minutes into the restart. Sinead Aherne rattled in the fifth. Her pace and skill also caused much anxiety.
Kerry weren't able to win much possession. They badly missed Lorraine Scanlon. Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh popped over three first half frees. Patrice Dennehy took a couple of tidy points, one in each half, but the supply to the forwards was very thin. All-star goalkeeper, Cliodhna O'Connor, had a comfortable afternoon at the office.
The goal that did beat her came five minutes after half-time. It was a sweet strike from Laura O'Sullivan. Dennehy's point, a minute later, was Kerry's last return of the afternoon. The Blues proceeded to pick off their scores, with Egan and Aherne doing most of the damage.
Kerry kept grafting. Dublin kicked a parcel of wides. A chill wind blew in from the coast. Pat Hartnett and co will hope that the tide will change soon enough.
