Report from RTE at this link:
http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2016/0306/772970-kerry-v-wexford/
Wexford 2-25 Kerry 0-08
Wexford taught Kerry a lesson as they recorded a 2-25 to 0-08 victory over Wexford in Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League at Austin Stack Park in Tralee.
Wexford are simply at a different level than Kerry and though the Kingdom have made vast strides in recent years, they came face to face with the reality of top-flight hurling as played in the Liam McCarthy Cup and clearly the Kingdom are a work in progress.
Kerry did not help their cause, finishing with 13 men as Tom Murnane was sent off for a second yellow and then late on full-back Brian Murphy got a straight red as Kerry lost their way. However, at that stage Wexford were home and hosed and the final 20 minutes were mere target practise.
Wexford were quickly into their stride as they played with the aid of a strong wind, firing over some early scores as Kerry had difficulty getting to the pace of the game and they were also struggling with the elements.
Wexford sent over three points from Shane Tomkins (2) and another from Andrew Shore, who lined out on the 40.
Kerry responded after a fine Michael O’Leary run saw John Egan being fouled in the seventh minute and Shane Nolan converted the free.
Brian Murphy was hurling well in the Kerry full-back line as they attempted to keep Wexford at bay, but two long-range points from Andrew Shore and another from Aidan Nolan had Wexford five clear, but again Mike O’Leary burst through and set up Mike O’Leary for a point.
Then came the crucial score of the half in the 14th minute when Kerry were caught in possession 50 metres from goal and a three-man move involving Shore and Padge Doran set up Conor McDonald for a goal that gave Wexford a decisive advantage and McDonald was soon to add a point.
Mike O’Leary was troubling Wexford with his direct running through the heart of the Wexford defence and in the 20th minute he drove through before parting to John Egan who rounded the Wexford keeper, but Matthew O’Hanlon blocked Egan’s goal-bound shot, with Egan firing the rebound over. This was a crucial turning point in the half because if Kerry had managed to get a goal, they might well have set the cat among the pigeons.
Instead, for the final 10 minutes of the half, Wexford fired over a series of points and Kerry had a mountain to climb in the second half despite having the strong wind to their backs.
The gale-force wind was a real factor in the opening half as Ciaran McDonald and Aidan Nolan added points as Kerry struggled with the pace of the Wexford players in the final third of the pitch.
Kerry were being penalised for over-carrying the ball out of defence but Kerry were annoyed at the match official as he appeared not to penalise Wexford for a couple of dubious challenges, particularly on Michael O’Leary.
Harry Kehoe punished Kerry from placed balls, while late points from Liam Og McGovern and Lee Chin saw Wexford lead 1-13 to 0-04 at half-time.
Wexford continued to dominate the second half as Kerry made several changes but could never match the stickwork of their opponents and also were too slow in getting rid of the ball when in possession.
Kerry were expected to make some inroads in the second half but despite three points from Shane Nolan, they never threatened.
Mike O’Leary, when he went off, was a big loss to the Kingdom but Wexford simply piled on the misery, with Andrew Shore shooting a succession of points, while substitutes Ian Byrne and Diarmuid O’Keeffe also got in on the scoring act as Wexford ran out comfortable 23-point winners.
It was a day that Wexford were expected to win, but the margin of victory and Kerry’s poor showing will disappoint the large crowd that had turned up early to cheer on the Kingdom.
Wexford: A Shore 1-07, H Kehoe 0-06 (0-05 frees, 0-01 ’65); C McDonald 1-02, S Tomkins, A Nolan and I Byrne 0-02 each, L Chin,L Og McGovern, and D O’Keeffe 0-01 each
Kerry: S Nolan 0-05(0-04 frees); J Egan, M Boyle, and C Harty 0-01 each
Wexford: Conor O’Leary; Liam Ryan, Matthew O’Hanlon, Eoin Moore; Andrew Shore, Paudie Foley, Andrew Kenny; Leo Chin, Eoin Conroy; Harry Kehoe, Shane Tomkins, Aidan Nolan; Conor McDonald, Podge Doran, Liam Og McGovern
Subs: Diarmuid O’Keeffe for P Doran ( 49), Ian Byrne for A Nolan ( 58), Jack O’Connor for L Chin ( 63)), Aaron Maddock for L Ryan ( 65), Kevin Sheridan for E Moore ( 65)
Kerry: Martin Stackpoole; Sean Weir, Bryan Murphy, Keith Carmody; Daniel Collins, Tommy Casey, Tom Murnane; Patrick Kelly, John Griffin; Shane Nolan, Michael O’Leary, Colum Harty; John Egan, Mikey Boyle, Jack Goulding
Subs: Dougie Fitzelle for S Weir ( h/t), D Dineen for P Kelly ( 40), Jason Diggins for T Casey ( 45), P Lucid for M O’Leary ( 46), Jordan Conway for J Goulding ( 66)
Referee: John O’Brien ( Tipperary)
