By Eugene kyne

Kerry 1-12 Four Provinces 1-5

IN what was a close fought game until the last 10 minutes, Kerry ran out the final 1-4 without reply to win the Senior A knockout final at a brisk wind swept Gaelic Park in the last weekend of the New York GAA year.

With Dan Doona in top form and helping himself to seven points, Kerry had the all-star that Four Provinces had no answer for. Brilliant defensive work by the Kingdom that limited the out of towners to six scores all day and just three points in the second half were the reasons that Kerry won their second title of the year, and indeed they have swept the board at this level.

Kerry opened the scoring when Doona robbed the pocket of the full back and he drove high and true. Four Provinces, however, in a county final in their first year in New York, replied quickly with a brace from Sean Mullin and Liam O’Donnell (a free).

Wides hurt both sides as they looked ring rusty, and wayward shooting was the response. Both teams were missing chances as the temperature dropped at least 15 degrees after the sun descended behind the trees on the hill at Manhattan College. It was dry, however, and the field was holding up well on the last afternoon of the year.

When Colm Cronin nudged Kerry in front there was 15 minutes gone and the minimum between the sides. Kerry had further scores from Willie O’Donnell and Doona on a double effort to make it a three point advantage for the Kingdom.

Four Provinces were level in one fell swoop when a four man move involving Mullin, Liam McGourty and Liam O’Donnell ended with Glen Campbell punching the ball to the net. Kerry had opportunities to replicate that, but Shane Langan was wide left and then was denied by Dermot Boyle with a brilliant save. Doona did chip over a free to take the lead again as the half arrived.

Kerry had a huge chance to extend their lead in the first minute of the second half, but after Langan was pulled down Doona blasted the penalty low and wide. Eoin Moriarity did chip over and Kerry was doing well at the back to nullify any chances for the dangerous Philly forwards.

Frees were their only recourse, and Aidan McCarran from play with Liam O’Donnell (a free) tied the game up as we entered the last 15 minutes. The stands were bare at this point with less than 50 in the crowd, and they were the diehards.

It was resembling a tie that would head for extra time when Doona and Liam O’Donnell swapped frees and hands were dropping the ball at both ends as neither side was able to shake the other in a lackluster outfit.

With 15 minutes left a long free from Doona again was fisted over by Langan, and despite the protests of the sideline the score counted. Doona added to it with a free and Kerry started to control the game.

A further Doona point from play and it was a three point advantage that Colm Cronin made four when he charged up from the back to join the attack. Wides and three balls that dropped into Shane Clifford’s hands, and Four Provinces were letting the game slip away. The final nail in the coffin was from Langan, who goaled with the seconds ticking away.

Shane Clifford was very active and did well with the continuous stream of high balls that dropped into him. Derek Riney held Aidan McCarran to a meaningless point, Anthony Glacken was confident at number 6. Colm Cronin, Dermie Foley, who spent a lot of time at the back helping out, and Willie O’Donnell also performed well.

Shane Langan tried hard and Dan Doona was outstanding again and man of the match. He is tremendous on the ball and can shoot left or right.

Dermot Boyle did well for Four Provinces. He is close to the top in New York. Mike Higgins, Liam McGourty, Sean Mullin and Liam O’Donnell also did their resumes no harm in the losing cause.