It was a tough night for the Dèise Under-20 Footballers at a bright and breezy Pàirc Naomh Brìd, Leamybrien, as they went down to a superior Kerry outfit by 2-27 to 0-10 in the opening round of Phase Two in the Provincial Championship. 

Playing with a strong wind advantage in the opening period, the Kingdom (playing their first Championship match) were 1-16 to 0-4 to the good at half-time, as Tomàs O’ Sè’s charges lofted over six two pointers with player of the match Gearoid White notching five of those. Ronan Carroll netted a well-worked goal in the 27th minute. Joe Brennan accounted for all of Waterford’s scores in that opening period (all coming from placed balls, including a two-pointer). Paul Power’s side lost influential defender and joint-captain Darragh Jacob to a hamstring injury in that opening half.

Gearoid White (who ended the game with 1-11) scored a 34th-minute goal for the visitors before he was withdrawn shortly afterwards, as both sides emptied their benches.

Paddy McCarthy and Joe Brennan both kicked two pointers for the hosts in that second period, with Kerry’s Ben Kelliher rounding off the scoring in the home of Kilrossanty GAA, Waterford will have to pick themselves up for a huge Round 2 encounter away to Clare (in Doonbeg) on Thursday evening next, April 16th.

WATERFORD Scorers: Joe Brennan (0-6), two x2 PT. Paddy McCarthy (0-3), one x2 PT. Callum Royle (0-1).

Reiteòir: John Ryan (Corcaigh) 

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