Dublin 4-9 Kerry 1-18: David Clifford spearheads Kingdom comeback to draw in Thurles
Match report as Kerry recover from a seven-point deficit to rescue a draw against Dublin at Semple Stadium, Thurles. David Clifford, who finished with 1-6, scored a late penalty, to secure the point.
Monday 24 May 2021 06:17, UK
Dublin and Kerry served up a classic 4-9 to 1-18 draw in the National League at Semple Stadium.
It was an epic contest. If it is a sign of things to come in the championship, we are in for a summer to remember.
With Con O'Callaghan and Cormac Costello both scoring two goals each, Dublin led for the majority of the contest. But David Clifford spearheaded a comeback, and the Fossa star converted a late penalty to rescue a draw.
The two teams initially took time to settle, with Dublin only converting one of their first nine scoring opportunities. However, once they found their range, it seemed like they could not miss.
Kerry's direct style was causing the men from the capital issues, and the Kingdom burst into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead.
But the Dubs hit back in the 16th minute. A Ciarán Kilkenny hand-pass played O'Callaghan in from the left wing, and the Cuala man buried it past Kieran Fitzgibbon in the Kerry goal.
Peter Keane's charges hit back through points from Paudie Clifford and Diarmuid O'Connor.
However, Dublin then hit again. O'Callaghan broke in from the left once more, but this time he picked out Costello who finished it off. They subsequently tagged on three consecutive points to build a four-point lead.
Kerry did get the ball in the Dublin net. But Dara Moynihan was fouled as he ran along the end-line in the build-up, and the new advantage rule meant referee Sean Hurson was forced to bring it back for a free which Seán O'Shea converted.
The Kingdom players were incensed, but their troubles were to deepen when Paul Murphy lost his footing underneath a high ball, allowing O'Callaghan to catch it and stick it in the net to build a 3-6 to 0-9 half-time lead.
Dublin looked to control the game after the restart, and Kerry didn't get possession until the 40th minute after Cormac Costello pointed following patient build-up play, to stretch the lead to seven.
However, the Munster side then came roaring back into the contest with five points without reply - including three from David Clifford - to make it a two-point game.
Costello pegged one back for the Dubs, but three more Kerry points levelled it, less than 20 minutes after they trailed by seven.
However, the Kingdom soon found themselves behind once more. O'Callaghan was fouled by Diarmuid O'Connor, and Hurson awarded a penalty which Costello converted.
Kerry came again, and brought it back to two points through a Seán O'Shea free. However, Dublin looked to take the pace out of the contest by holding onto possession.
O'Callaghan pointed in injury-time to push the gap out to three.
But there was to be a final twist. A long ball broke to Stephen O'Brien who was fouled by Philly McMahon. Clifford stepped up and made no mistake from the penalty spot to rescue the draw.
Dublin: Evan Comerford; Eoin Murchan, David Byrne, Michael Fitzsimons; James McCarthy, John Small, Robert McDaid; Brian Fenton (0-1), Tom Lahiff; Niall Scully, Ciarán Kilkenny (0-1), Sean MacMahon; Paddy Small (0-3), Con O'Callaghan (2-1), Cormac Costello (2-3, 1-0 penalty).
Subs: Colm Basquel for Tom Lahiff (47th minute), Dara Mullin for Paddy Small (55th minute), Eric Lowndes for Robert McDaid (55th minute), Philly McMahon for John Small (59th minute), Jonny Cooper for Sean MacMahony (66th minute), Sean Bugler for Ciarán Kilkenny (66th minute), Brian Howard for Niall Scully (72nd minute).
Kerry: Kieran Fitzgibbon; Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Tadhg Morley, Jason Foley; Paul Murphy (0-2), Gavin Crowley, Gavin White; David Moran, Diarmuid O'Connor (0-2); Dara Moynihan (0-2), Seán O'Shea (0-4, 0-2 frees), Paul Geaney (0-1); David Clifford (1-6, 1-0 penalty, 0-1 free), Killian Spillane, Paudie Clifford (0-1).
Subs: Tommy Walsh for Killian Spillane (half-time), Ronan Buckley for Paul Geaney (45th minute), Adrian Spillane for David Moran (45th minute), Stephen O'Brien for Paudie Clifford, Jack Sherwood for Gavin White (57th minute), Graham O'Sullivan for Brian Ó Beaglaoich (57th minute), Micheál Burns for Dara Moynihan (62nd minute),
