Kerry 3-7
Galway 0-9

Goals from Diarmuid O'Connor, David Shaw and David Clifford propelled Kerry to a third consecutive All-Ireland MFC success in today's curtain-raiser at Croke Park.

The saying 'goals win games' springs to mind when looking back on the Tom Markham Cup decider.

Kerry registered just one more score than their opponents but three green flags, two in the first-half and one in the second-half, gave them a four point winning margin at referee Ciaran Branagan's final whistle.

Naturally enough, on such a big occasion for young players, there were nerves on both sides early on while the inclement weather conditions also contributed to a low scoring encounter.

Kerry centre-forward Sean O'Shea opened the scoring via a free in the first minute but 17 minutes elapsed before the Munster men added to their tally.

It proved to be a significant score too as left half-forward O'Connor fisted the ball to the back of the Galway net.

The Connacht champions had plenty of chances during the opening quarter but their shooting let them down.

There was also bizarre moment involving the Kingdom's goalkeeper Billy Courtney.

The netminder assumed the ball was going wide and went to set up for a kick-out but the ball was sent goal wards by John Maher and Courtney cleared the ball off his line to save his blushes.

Kerry's Sean O'Shea lifts the Tom Markham Cup.
©INPHO/Donall Farmer.

Captain Desmond Conneely got Galway off in the mark in 21st minute from a free but the Kingdom's second goal arrived a minute later.

Clifford fielded a high delivery and set up Shaw who found the bottom right corner of Cormac Haslam's net.

Peter Keane's charges subsequently enjoyed a 2-2 to 0-2 half-time lead but that the team in maroon and white enjoyed a promising start to the second-half.

The Stephen Joyce coached side hit three unanswered points in the opening 10 minutes through Adam Quirke and Robert Finnerty (2).

Kerry led by two points - 2-4 to 0-8 - at the 50 minute mark but a superb individual goal from the gifted Clifford in the 53rd minute gave them enough breathing space and they held on for a momentous victory.

Galway's woes were compounded when midfielder Maher was shown a red card for a second yellow card offence in stoppage time.

Late scores from 'man-of-the-match' Dara Moynihan, substitute Cormac Linnane and O'Shea helped provide further proof that the Kerry underage conveyor belt is running as smoothly as ever!

Kerry - B Courtney; D Naughten, N Collins (0-1), G O'Sullivan; M Potts, D O'Brien, M Foley; M Breen, M Ryan; D Moynihan (0-2), S O'Shea (0-2f), D O'Connor (1-0); D Clifford (1-0), D Shaw (1-1), B Friel. Subs: C Linnane (0-1) for B Friel, C Teahan for N Collins, B Sweeney for D Shaw, K Dwyer for M Foley, S Okunbor for D O'Connor.

Galway - C Haslam; L Boyle, S Mulkerrin, E McFadden; A Quirke (0-1), E McDonagh, F Garvey; C D'Arcy (0-1), J Maher; F O Laoi, E Murphy, R Forde (0-1); R Finnerty (0-3, 2f), S Raftery, D Conneely (0-2f). Subs: B Goldrick for E Murphy, R Murphy for S Raftery, R Cunningham (0-1f) for R Finnerty, E Deely for F Garvey.

Referee - C Branagan.

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