Kerry 1-11 Limerick 0-9
Kerry are through to the All-Ireland quarter-final after cruising to a commanding five point victory over a Limerick side that struggled with their game in the Munster football final in Killarney today.
Limerick, whose only Munster title came in 1896, raced into an early lead having dominated possession in the opening stages. They led by 0-3 to 0-1 after 14 minutes and were gifted a glorious opportunity to extend that advantage when referee Brian Crowe awarded a penalty on 16 minutes.
Eoin Brosnan, tracking back, fouled his marker as he battled through the Kerry defence but Michael Reidy's subsequent spot kick was poorly struck and proved no match for Kerry 'keeper Declan O'Keefee who got down low to his left to push the ball away.
Kerry suddenly spurred themselves into action and attacked with more purpose and vigor. Dara Ó'Cinnéide brought Kerry within one point with a swift free and should have edged the Kingdom in front eight minutes before the break but his effort on goal trickled just wide of Seamus O'Donnell's right hand upright.
But Ó'Cinnéide was not to be denied his goal and struck gold in injury time after collecting on Brosnan's fisted through ball to beat the advancing O'Donnell with a flick of the boot. Kerry, who had minutes earlier taken the lead, led by 1-6 to 0-3 at the break after Liam Hassett and the goalscorer added further points.
Kerry, playing well within themselves, were rarely out of their stride during the second period as Limerick's challenge evaporated but for a minor spell in the dying stages when the game was already well beyond them. Seamus Scanlon's dismissal after 40 minutes - for a second yellow - failed to spur on the underdogs who pointed their first score since the 10th minute five minutes after the sending off.
Kerry, meanwhile, kept knocking the scores over with Ó'Cinnéide and substitute Aodan MacGearailt both finding their range. Limerick were given something of a lifeline five minutes from time when O'Keefee was found guilty of a foot block. Another penalty but a familiar outcome as Muiris Gavin's effort cannoned back off the crossbar and with it any slim hope Limerick had of a comeback.