Oscar Traynor 1/4 Final 1997 ; Limerick DL 0-1 Kerry DL

Sunday 28th February 1997
Kerry travelled to Jackman Park in Limerick more in hope than with confidence as they faced Oscar Traynor Cup holders Limerick DL .
But Kerry gave a tremendous display and succeeded in knocking out the holders of the Cup thanks to a 49th minute strike by Owen Moynihan .
It was a magnificent achievement for this Kerry outfit who displayed a hunger and teamwork superior to their more vaunted opponents.
Kerry’s victory was based on a quiet magnificent back four with Sean Carey of Listowel Celtic giving a man of the match performance at centre back.
He marked Irish Junior International Jimmy Sheehan out of the game and cleared his lines throughout.
Hegot good assistance from Stefan McMahhon, Paul Cassidy and Mike Cooper.
Kerry’s midfield worked particulary hard with John Doyle, Tommy Naugton, Kevin O’Regan and Owen Moynihan showing up well against their Limerick counterparts.
Up front Kerry had Timmy Foley and John Hegarty until he was injured and he was a thorn in the Limerick defence early on.
Both sides opened nervously with Derek Whyte shooting over for Limerick after 15 minutes.
Declan Hyde was denied by a good tackle by Tommy Naughton as Limerick went in search of an opening goal.
Kerry came closest before the break when Stefan McMahon found John Hegarty with a good pass and his cross was deflected off the defender into the keepers hands to deny McMahon a certain goal.
Four minutes into the second half Kerry struck the match winner. The move began on the half way line with Stefan McMahon taking a long throw-in that found Timmy Foley’s head jusy outside the box.
Foley nodded the ball towards Owen Moynihan who despite havinh his back to goal controlled the ball, turned and rifled an unstoppable shot to the roof of the Limerick net giving keeper Stuart no chance.
Inthe 75th minute Kerry had a lucky let-off when a bizarre incident.
Kerrykeeper Peter O’Brien had to pull off a magnificent save when a Sean Carey clearance hit the back of Kieran Guernin’s head and was heading for the top corner of the Kerry net before O’Brien’scat like reflexes saved the day .
Kerry; Peter O’Brien, Mike Cooper, Stefan McMahon, Sean Carey, Paul Cassidy, John Doyle, Kevin O’Regan, Tommy Naughton, Owen Moynihan, John Hegarty, Timmy Foley . Subs: Kieran Guerin for Hegarty 34 mins, Eddie Duggan for Naughton 75 mins, Alan Sheehan for Cooper 82 mins .