Kerry 2-16
Antrim 1-18

Kerry will compete in Division 1B in 2016 after they edged out Antrim by the minimum margin in today's promotion/relegation play-off at Parnell Park.

Backed by a strong wind, Eamonn Kelly's charges outscored the Saffrons by 2-13 to 1-7 after the break to upset the odds.

Colm Carty netted the two goals for the winners while a John Egan point on the stroke of full-time proved to be the difference between the sides at the final whistle.

Antrim were far from convincing in the early stages but they soon found their stride and went in at the break with what appeared to be a healthy 0-11 to 0-3 advantage.

Harty's 43rd minute goal sowed the seeds for Kerry's improvement after the break and they tagged on two further points to leave them trailing by 1-8 to 0-13 by the 45th minute.

A PJ O'Connell goal put a temporary halt to their gallop but Harty pounced for his second three-pointer soon after and two Shane Nolan frees had the sides level - 2-12 to 1-15 - entering the final 10 minutes.

A keenly contested 70 minutes was decided by Egan's late point and Division 2A beckons for Antrim in 12 months time.

Kerry - S Murphy; D Fitzell, P Costello, B Murphy; S Weir, D Dineen, D Collins (0-1); J Griffin (0-1), P Kelly (0-1); C Harty (2-0), S Nolan (0-8, 5f), M O'Leary (0-4); M Boyle, P Boyle, K Carmody. Subs: J Egan (0-1) for K Carmody, J Flaherty for P Boyle.

Antrim - C O'Connell; O McFadden, N McAuley (0-1), A Graffin; E McAlonan, N McManus (0-1), C McKinley; E Campbell, M Bradley (0-1); P Shiels (0-7f), C Carson, D McKernan; PJ O'Connell (1-2), M Donnelly (0-1), C Clarke (0-3, 1f). Subs: C Johnson (0-1) for E McAlonan, M Dudley (0-1) for C Carson, D Hamill for M Bradley.

Referee - S Cleere.

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