Battling Down book final spot at Kerry's expense

Down produced a battling second-half performance to secure a spot in the Division 2A final following a two-point win over Kerry in Ballycran.

Ronan Sheehan's side only earned promotion to the division in 2020, and they can now sit back and watch as the Kingdom must navigate a semi-final against opposition to be decided after Sunday’s fixtures.

Aided by a strong breeze at McKenna Park, Stephen Molumphy’s Kerry started the brighter with their direct running causing problems for the home defence. The powerful Fionán Mackessy in particular made some great runs from deep.

Even with that strong start, the first four points were shared with Shane Conway on target for Kerry and Paul Sheehan, from a free, and Tom Murray landing scores for the home side.

Conway and Sheehan continued to trade scores and by the 21st minute Kerry were four points clear, 0-09 to 0-05.

Sheehan replied with a brace of frees but after a couple of disappointing wides, the visitors finished the half with a flurry of points, Micheal Leane, Padraig Boyle and Paudie O’Connor raising white flags as they turned around six points in front – 0-14 to 0-08.

That six-point margin looked about par given the conditions, but not so good after Down immediately halved it on the resumption.

The Mourne County’s direct approach had provided little return in the first half, but Eoghan Sands took a great catch and was pulled down as he tried to barrel through on goal. Conor O’Keefe was black-carded for his part in the incident.

Kerry goalkeeper Martin Stackpoole tried to win the mind-games by moving towards the left-hand side of his goal, but Conor Woods’ penalty was struck firmly to the other side to get Down within three.

Down’s Marc Fisher and the industrious Pearse Óg McCrickard