Sport

Healy shows gulf in class

Galway put Kerry to the sword to gather maximum points in this mis-match played before less than 100 spectators at windswept …

Mon Mar 27 2000 - 01:00

Galway put Kerry to the sword to gather maximum points in this mis-match played before less than 100 spectators at windswept Austin Stack Park, Tralee. It was the Kingdom's third morale-shattering defeat in a row and surely shows the folly of their participation in the top flight where they are clearly out of their depth.

Galway learned little in this one-sided encounter except that they are in a different class to their opposition. The game was over as a contest by half-time with Galway leading 4-6 to 0-7 despite playing against a strong wind. The game was also a personal triumph for Galway corner forward Fergal Healy who amassed a personal tally of 5-2. He scored three of his goals during a eight-minute spell from the 21st to the 29th minute of the first half.

Rory Gantley drove a free to the Kerry net to send Galway in front as Kerry battled gallantly in the opening quarter. They relied almost exclusively on Michael Slattery who scored six points in the first half. Slattery will be pleased with his personal performance as he finished with a personal tally of 0-10.

Galway were quicker and slicker in every department and with full back Liam Hodgins outstanding they overwhelmed Kerry in a one-sided second half. Healy struck for a superb goal in the 38th minute and he capped a great performance to grab his fifth goal with the game approaching the final whistle. Ollie Fahey scored Galway's sixth goal in the 48th minute.

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The final scoreline tells the full story of this rather unbalanced affair. Galway, now with eight points from four successive wins, are clear leaders of Division 1A.

GALWAY: K Boyle; N Larkin, L Hodgins, V Maher; E Linnane, C Moore (0-1), D O'Brien; N Shaughnessy, P Walsh; R Gantley (1-6), M Kearns (0-1), O Canning (0-2); F Gantley, O Fahey (1-0) F Healy (5-2). Subs: D Forde for O Fahey, J Culkin (0-2) for N Shaughnessy, A Kearns for P Walsh R Rahilly for L Hodgins.

KERRY: O Thornton; M Hannafin, M McCarthy, A Cronin; W J Leen (0-1), A Healy, T O'Halloran; P Cronin (0-2), D Slattery; J Maher, A O'Grady, I Brick; M Slattery (0-10), J J Canty, J O'Carroll. Subs: R Gentleman (0-1) for O'Halloran, I Maunsell for J J Canty, S Morris for I Brick, S Fitzgerald for J O'Carroll.

Referee: S McMahon (Clare).