Despite dramatic late fade-outs in both halves, a sporadically impressive Kerry did just about enough to advance by the skin of their teeth past Cavan in this Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC quarter-final at O’Moore Park in Portlaoise.

Leading by the bare minimum at half-time, having played with a strong breeze, the Kingdom improved immeasurably in the third quarter and, despite a well-taken goal by the Ulster side’s corner-back Matthew Duffy, the Munster champions appeared to gain a semblance of control.

With corner-forward Ben Kelliher very prominent, and Tadhg O’Connell and Pádraig Ó Mainnín notching off the bench, Kerry moved five points clear, 0-13 to 1-5, entering the last ten minutes, and looked likely to ease towards the winning post.

However, Cavan refused to throw in the towel and, with excellent goalkeeper Cian McConnell moving outfield to telling effect, four points on the trot by the Ulster county left the game right in the melting pot in the closing stages.

Kerry were now hanging on for dear life, with the Ulster runners-up giving it everything in search of a last-gasp equaliser but, in an exciting denouement, another Kingdom replacement Liam O’Brien had the final say with the insurance point at the death.

With wind advantage in the first half, it was Kerry who made the early running, points from Danny Murphy and Kevin Griffin, followed by a Gearóid White tap-over free, pushing them three clear by the tenth minute.

However, it was already clear at this juncture that Cavan were scrounging brilliantly for breaking ball and, with a dominant midfield pairing in Sam Maguire and Faolán Graham, they quickly gained a foothold in the game.

The scores didn’t come instantly for the Breffni men, with a two-point Griffin placed ball, and a lovely white flag from Kelliher giving the Kingdom a five-point lead by the 18th minute (0-6 to 0-1), Jay Graham with a pointed free for the Ulster side.

Amazingly, Kerry would fail to register for the remainder of the half, finishing with nine first half wides in total, as they hit too many long-range hit-and-hope efforts. Growing in self-belief, Cavan were more economical in the second quarter.

A booming point by midfielder Graham, added to by a two-point free, and a closer range score, by his namesake, reduced the deficit at half-time (0-6 to 0-5). They would have fancied their chances heading into the resumption, but just came up short as Kerry edged into the last four.

Scorers

Scorers for Kerry: B Kelliher (0-5, 0-2fs), K Griffin (0-3, 1tpf), G White (0-2, 0-1f), D Murphy, T O’Connell, P Ó Mainnín, L O’Brien (0-1 each).

Scorers for Cavan: J Graham (0-5, 0-2fs, 1tpf), M Duffy (1-0), F Graham, G McCabe, C McConnell, N Quigley (0-1 each).

Team Line-ups

• KERRY: R Kennedy; R Sheridan, E Joy, T Ó Slatara; D Murphy, D Sargent, M Clifford; M Ó Sé, J Curtin; M O’Carroll, G White, A Tuohy; N Lacey, K Griffin, B Kelliher. Subs: T O’Connell for Lacey (41), P Ó Mainnín for Griffin (48), L O’Brien for Kelliher (56), J Kissane for Tuohy (58), C McGibney for Clifford (60+3).
• CAVAN: C McConnell; D Brady, C Bough, M Duffy; M Smith, H McMullen, J Donohoe; S Maguire, F Graham; CJ Fitzpatrick, J Brady, C Smith; F McIntyre, N Quigley, J Graham. Subs: D Lynch for Fitzpatrick (36), S Smith for C Smith (47), G McCabe for M Smith (48), K Heery for McMullan (54).

Referee: N Quinn (Clare).

Source: Irish Examiner.