Kerry began this game at a lightening pace and down the flanks they mesmerised and tantalised the Dublin defence who just could not cope with the silken skills of James Sugrue Stephen Conway Peter Mc Carthy and Chris Kerins. They repeatedly went through the visitors rearguard like a dose of Epsom Salts and made the Dublin side pay for their defensive frailties.

It was an afternoon when Kerry simply blew away this formidable side and showed them how the beautiful game should be played. It was a game that Kerry totally dominated in the first half creating a bagful of scoring opportunities most of which were clinically utilised.

Dublin looked threatening in the opening minutes of the games with their biggest threat coming from the speedy Paul McElland and Martin Moore. Kerry got off the mark after 15 minutes when a free kick by David Hennessy found Stephen Conway who despatched an inch perfect pass to Chris Kerins at the far post and he made no mistake from six yards.

Six minutes later Kerry found the net again when a corner kick by James Sugrue found Maurice O?Rahilly in the box and he out jumped everyone to head a splendid goal. Then just four minutes later Kerry struck again with a long delivery by David Hennessy was flicked on to Chris Kerins who took on the Dublin defence and put Peter McCarthy through and he finished in style from close range.

Just after the half hour mark Kerry forged further ahead when brothers Stephen and David Conway combined to set Peter McCarthy free and he spotted Chris Kerins at the far post and he despatched the ball to the net to put Kerry out of sight.

However, Dublin were given a faint glimmer of hope four minutes from the break when they were awarded a rather dubious penalty when the referee deemed that David Hayes fouled Stuart Glen. Gerard Redmond gave David Hennessy no chance with a superbly hit penalty kick.

Aided with the stiff wind Dublin took charge of proceedings in the second half and within a minute they had found the net again in controversial circumstances. Martin Moore put John Lynders through and as he entered the box he fell under a David Hayes tackle which the referee deemed a foul to the consternation of the Kerry players and mentors.

Once again Gerard Redmond clinically put away the spot kick and now the temperature of the game rose with verbal confrontations the order of the day. Then shortly afterwards Kerry conceded a free on the 30 yards mark. An expertly taken free kick by Francis Mathews seemed to be destined for the net but Kerry custodian David Hennessy acrobatically flung himself at the ball and tipped it around the post for a spectacular save.

While Dublin were now well on top Kerry were able to deal effectively with all their attacks and they seldom looked like reducing the lead any further. In general it was s superb Kerry performance with every player contributing to a heart warming win.

The level of commitment, determination and conviction shown by the players was commendable and team Captain David Hayes done a superb job getting the players into the right frame of mind for the game. The team clearly demonstrated that they are well capable of winning out the competition and now they anxiously await the opponents in the quarter final.

The officials on duty at the game made some strange decisions, which aggrieved players and mentors from both sides.

Kerry District League: David Hennessy, Timmy Lynch, Shane Brosnan, David Hayes, Maurice O?Rahilly, Stephen Conway, David Conway, James Sugrue, Stephen O Mahony, Chris Kerins, Peter McCarthy. Subs: Shane Doolan for David Conway, Fiachra Dunne for Peter McCarthy and John McDonagh for Stephen O?Mahony.

Dublin Amateur League: Niall Cobb, Dave Kelly, Francis Mathews, Daniel Greene, Martin McGee, Eoin Browne, John Lynders, Darragh Joyce, Paul McCelland, Martin Moore, Gerard Redmond. Subs: Stuart Glen for Darragh Joyce, Gary Collins for Eoin Browne.

Referee: Anthony McDermott (Cork AUL)