Kerry got a double boost at Ballyragget yesterday when they claimed victory and improved their scoring average considerably in this mis-match of a national football league clash.

Poor Kilkenny gave their all, but from the start they simply hadn't a chance against the slick and physically strong Kerry outfit.

Kerry were put on their merry scoring way with announced their intentions quickly with early points from Liam Hassett and John McGlynn and then in the 10th minutes a goal from John Crowley. However, Kilkenny managed to frustrate the opposition at least briefly and, at half time, Kerry's 1-7 to 0-1 lead was less than the huge score anticipated earlier.

After the break, Kerry merely toyed with opponents, who ran out of steam early. Gerard Murphy and Maurice Fitzgerald kicked early points before JP Corcoran managed only Kilkenny's second point from a free in the 39th minute. From then on it was all Kerry with a welter of points coming from Fitzgerald, Donal Daly and Jack Ferriter as well as goals from Gerard Murphy and McGlynn.

Kerry: D O'Keeffe; M McCarthy, B O'Shea, C Burns; T O'Se, S Moynihan, M Hassett; D O Se, W Kirby; J McGlynn 1-3, D Daly 0-2, L Hassett 0-1; G Murphy 1-4, M Fitzgerald 0-5, J Crowley 1-0. Subs: A McGearailt, J O'Shea, J Ferriter 0-1.

Kilkenny: E Mulrooney; E Roche, N Morrissey, G Campion; J Lonergan, P Mullally, P Roche; L Kenny, J Murphy; M Dunne, R Mullally, P Buggy; M Gordon, C O Conghaile, JP Corco- ran 0-2, free. Subs: J Delaney 0-1, P Fewer.

Referee: T O'Reilly, Longford.