28 January 2018; David Clifford of Kerry in action against Caolan Ward of Donegal during the Allianz Football League Division 1 Round 1 match between Kerry and Donegal at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney, Co. Kerry. Photo by Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile
Kerry 2-18 Donegal 3-14
Donegal put in a huge effort against Kerry in Fitzgerald Stadium today, but lost out to Daithi Casey’s late winner.
Kerry were the better team in the first half despite playing against the breeze, and Stephen O’Brien’s goal put them 1-5 to 0-4 ahead after 18 minutes.
It got worse for Donegal moments later when Nathan Mullins was shown a straight red card after an off-the-ball incident with Brendan O’Sullivan.
Patrick McBrearty kicked six points for Donegal in the first half, but his team still trailed by three at the break.
HT: Kerry 1-8 Donegal 0-8
Donegal made a great start to the second half when Tony McClenaghan fired to the net in the 37th minute.
Paul Geaney drove a penalty over the bar for Kerry, before Odhrán MacNiallais palmed the ball to the net for Donegal.
Geaney also raised a green flag in the 63rd minute, and Kerry looked to have won the game when they led by two points going into injury-time.
There was still time for more drama with Darach O’Connor fisting to the net with his first touch.
However, Declan Bonner’s team couldn’t hold out, and Sean Ó Se tied up matters. Tony McClenaghan and Gavin Crowley were sent off, before Daiti Casey kicked the winner in the 76th minute.
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