KERRY took full advantage of Derry's frailties to record their first league win of the season in Killarney yesterday.
Derry lined out without three-quarters of their championship side and Kerry took early control in almost every area of the field.
Five wides inside the first 19 minutes undermined much of the clean possession they won in mid-field and had Dara O Cinneide converted any one of the three goal chances that came his way, the game would have been over as a contest long before the final whistle.
Fortunately for manager Paidi O Se, Derry were unable to take advantage.
The sides traded scores for much of the opening quarter - two Ronan Rocks points against Kerry's three opening scores from O Cinneide.
With half-backs Seamus Moynihan and Liam Flaherty controlling affairs for the home side and the ball moving well among the forwards, the difference in class was soon apparent to the 5,000 spectators at Fitzgerald Stadium.
The decisive score of the game came early in the second half, Kerry building on their half-time lead of 0-7 to 0-5.
A crossfield ball broke to second half substitute, Russell, whose clever over-the-shoulder punched pass put Den is O'Dwyer clean through on goal - his low shot flew into the left hand corner of Davy O'Hare's net.
It was a goal that Kerry deserved, given their dominance. Mike Hassett at corner back was never troubled by Sean, McGuckin, Dara O Se and Donal Daly eclipsed Dermot Heaney and Henry Downey in mid-field and, with five of the six Kerry forwards scoring, it was always likely that the game would end with a home win.
