East Kerry progressed to the semi-finals of the Kerry Senior Football Championship with victory over St Kieran's at Austin Stack Park in Tralee on Saturday.
Reigning champions East Kerry were pushed all the way by their fellow divisional side, eventually winning 2-13 to 1-14.
Just before the second half water break, it was St Kieran's that looked the more likely victors. Midfielder James Walsh scored a superb goal in the 45th minute to give his side a 1-13 to 1-10 lead. However, it was to be their penultimate score of the game.
In the final 20 minutes of play, East Kerry scored 1-3 with just a single point coming in reply from their opponents.
The East Kerry goal was a superb finish from David Clifford. It came in the 55th minute after great work by Paudie Clifford and Darragh Roche.
10 minutes before that, he was the hero. Great finish after good work by Paudie Clifford and Darragh Roche. East Kerry were in a tight spot before the goal. St Kieran's were superb. pic.twitter.com/JLwKhVaGQs
— PJ Browne (@P_J_Browne) August 30, 2020
The Kerry captain found the bottom corner of Seán Óg Ó Ciardubháin's net with a low strike despite close attention from St Kieran's corner-back Brian Leonard. It took East Kerry from two points down to one up.
The brilliant Eddie Horan kicked an equaliser for St Kieran's from a free in the 61st minute but points from David and Paudie Clifford won the game for East Kerry.
There was to be one final moment of note in the match, one which could have ramifications for the remainder of the championship.
David Clifford was shown a straight red card by referee Jonathan Griffin for an off the ball incident in the 66th minute. The official indicated that Clifford kicked out at his marker Brian Leonard.
Hard to argue with that straight red card for David Clifford last night. Could be a huge moment in the Kerry championship. pic.twitter.com/yLBf2gbeky
— PJ Browne (@P_J_Browne) August 30, 2020
