Experimental Kingdom fade out of sight

CONOR KEANE, a Kerry U21 last year, hit an impressive 2-5 as IT Tralee defeated a totally experimental Kerry, 4-12 to 0-16, in their McGrath Cup quarter-final at Austin Stack Park yesterday.

Darragh ó Sé managed the Kingdom but no player who lined out in last September's All-Ireland SFC final appeared for the green and gold who have just returned from a team holiday while Tommy Walsh failed to make an appearance as Kerry who faded in the concluding quarter after leading 0-13 to 1-6 10 minutes into the second half.

Keane's first goal in the 15th minute gave IT Tralee the lead for the first time, but Kerry responded with points from Gavan O'Grady, James Crean, Kevin McCarthy and Colin McGillicuddy to move into a 0-8 to 1-4 lead.

However, scores from Denis McElligott and Ciarán O'Connell gave Noel Kennelly's students a 1-6 to 0-8 interval lead.

The Kingdom looked set for victory when they surged four points clear early in the second half, but the game turned in IT Tralee's favour when Keane netted a 45th minute penalty.

Sub Pádraig O'Shea added a third goal four minutes later to make it 3-8 to 0-13 before Limerick's Peter Nash wrapped up the win with a fourth goal late on.

ANTRIM hurlers got their 2015 campaign off to a winning start by beating DIT 1-22 to 2-12 in yesterday's Walsh Cup in Belfast.

DIT had taken an early lead at a windswept St Paul's complex with Kieran Bergin netting the first goal.

PJ O'Connell got Antrim's goal in the second half and Paul Shiels, Michael Bradley and Neil McManus landed points as the 2008 winners got over the line.

Antrim face Ger Cunningham;'s Dublin in Parnell Park in their other Section2 game on Sunday, January 25.

Dublin's clash with DIT have been rescheduled for tomorrow week in Parnell Park (7.30).