Kerry fend off Antrim fightback for McDonagh Cup final spot

Kerry claimed the victory they needed over Antrim in Belfast and got the favour they needed from Carlow against Offaly to make it through to their third-straight Joe McDonagh Cup final.

In a game that turned out to be a dress rehearsal of the final in a fortnight's time, Stephen Molophy's side gritted their teeth and led for the vast majority of the game, fending off a late Antrim rally with a pair of goals reducing the gap to one, but as they did all afternoon, found the answers to hang on for a win that saw them set-up a repeat of the 2020 Joe McDonagh final.

Podge Boyle top-scored with 15 points in a flawless display, while Eoin Ross chipped in with four and Paudie O'Connor played a captain's part to help fend of a late Antrim rally that almost saw them take something from this game that would have broken Kerry's hearts.

But as it was, the Kingdom managed to find the answers when their backs were to the wall to hold on and stamp their ticket for the decider.

Kerry was the side that absolutely had to win this game and with the aid of a strong wind, they began with intent, rattling off the first four points with Eoin Ross setting them on their way and Podge Boyle hitting three of his nine first half-scores.

Antrim began to awaken with James McNaughton and Eoin O'Neill registering, but Kerry remained a step ahead until the Saffrons gradually began to assert themselves with a pair of Nail McManus points sandwiching one from Michael Bradley.

Points from Aaron Bradley and Conor McCann had the sides locked at 0-7 on 22 minutes, but after an exchange of points, Kerry regained control with five of the next six points - three from Boyle with Fionan MacKessy and Ross getting in on the act.

A pair of James McNaughton frees brought