Kerry 2-15
Westmeath 0-13

An opportunist goal apiece from Kieran O’Leary and Paul Geaney in each half helped Kerry to their win in front of 2,700 spectators at Cusack Park, Mullingar, yesterday. The result condemned their hosts Westmeath to an immediate return to Division Two next year.

As was the case in most of their earlier matches – all of which they lost – Westmeath gave as good as they got in the first half. With Kieran Martin, Callum McCormack and Denis Glennon availing of a decent supply of ball from midfield, the home side was deservedly on level terms (0-5 each) after 24 minutes. James O’Donoghue was being well marshalled by Kevin Maguire, with the Kingdom’s biggest threat coming from Paul Geaney who kicked two fine points from play in the 10th and 21st minutes.

However, the needless concession of a free in the 25th minute by Steven Gilmore was cleverly and swiftly exploited by the visitors, and Stephen O'Brien teed up Kieran O'Leary to slap the ball to the net from point-blank range. Glennon and Bryan Sheehan (from a superbly struck 45 from near the sideline) traded points, but Paul Bealin's men finished the half strongly with points from Martin, Ray Connellan (a free) and Egan (also a free) to go in at the break on level terms, 1-6 to 0-9.

Crucial score
Callum McCormack and James O'Donoghue exchanged points within seven minutes of the resumption. The crucial score of the contest arrived in the 44th minute when Éamonn Fitzmaurice's troops scored their second goal after two unforced errors from the men in maroon left Paul Geaney free, and he gave Stephen Gallagher no chance with a low shot to the back of the net from 12 metres.

Points followed from Geaney (a free), O’Donoghue and Geaney (another free) to put the men in green and gold two goals clear (2-10 to 0-10).

The introduction of Anthony Maher helped Kerry to dominate the midfield exchanges and the issue was never in doubt during the final quarter.

Indeed, it took a great block from Kieran Gavin on Geaney to prevent a third Kerry goal late on, with David Moran replicating the by now-substituted Sheehan’s heroics from the resultant 45.

KERRY: B Kelly; P Murphy, M Griffin, S Enright; P Crowley (0-1), F Fitzgerald, M Ó Sé; J Buckley, D Moran (0-1, 45); J Lyne, B Sheehan (0-2, 45s), K O'Leary (1-0); S O'Brien (0-1), P Geaney (1-4, 0-2 frees), J O'Donoghue (0-5, 0-3 frees). Subs: D Walsh (0-1) for Lyne (31 mins), D Casey for Sheehan (half-time), A Maher for Buckley (49 mins), D O'Sullivan for O'Leary (49 mins), J Sherwood for Ó Sé (60 mins), A O'Mahony for Crowley (63 mins).
WESTMEATH: S Gallagher; K Maguire, K Gavin, S Gilmore; Damien Dolan, P Sharry (0-1, 45), D Harte; D Duffy, R Connellan (0-2, frees); K Martin (0-2), G Egan (0-2, frees), C McCormack (0-3); J Dolan, D Glennon (0-3), Dessie Dolan. Subs: J Egan for Damien Dolan (48 mins), D McCormack for Martin (57 mins), A Giles for Glennon (57 mins), R Foley for Harte (60 mins), K Daly for Duffy (69 mins).
Referee: A Nolan (Wicklow).