Shane Conway (left) was impressive for Kerry in the Allianz NHL Division 2A win over Wicklow Expand

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Shane Conway (left) was impressive for Kerry in the Allianz NHL Division 2A win over Wicklow

Shane Conway (left) was impressive for Kerry in the Allianz NHL Division 2A win over Wicklow

Shane Conway (left) was impressive for Kerry in the Allianz NHL Division 2A win over Wicklow

Despite Kerry manager Fintan O’Connor making seven changes from the side that beat Meath two weeks previous, the Kingdom still proved too strong for bottom side Wicklow in this Allianz Hurling League Division 2A clash played at the Austin Stack Park on Saturday afternoon.

But on the flip side O’Connor lost his captain Daniel Collins with a leg injury after just five minutes and, Kerry simply could not afford any more injuries with the Joe McDonagh Cup meeting with Down looming in three weeks.

In fact, during a scrappy and sometimes niggly opening half in which Shane Conway displayed all his silken skills scoring 1-9 as Kerry were 1-15 to 0-6 in front at half time.

But Kerry lost three players through injury in the opening 20 minutes - Daniel Collins, Tomás O’Connor and Barry Mahony - and this will take some gloss off what was an excellent performance by an under-strength Kerry fifteen.

Kerry were on top from the very outset with Jason Diggins, Paudie O’Connor, Conor O’Keeffe and the mercurial Shane Conway weaving his magic as he created scores and then scored some beauties as well as finding the Wicklow net on the stroke of half time to give Kerry a 1-15 to 0-06 half time lead.

Wicklow had no answers despite the accuracy Christy Moorehouse who ended up with a haul of 0-13 but once Mikey and Podge Boyle came on for Kerry they just upped a gear or two and Mikey Boyle added 2-3 while brother Podge added two points from play.

Cian Hussey also impressed with four points while young Nathan Guerin scored a cracking goal in the 66th as Kerry strolled to a facile win with Gary Hughes getting a late consolation goal for Wicklow.

Scorers: Kerry: S Conway ( 1-13, 8 f’s, 1’65), M Boyle ( 2-3), C Hussey ( 0-4), N Guerin ( 1-0), S Nolan ( 0-3), P Boyle ( 0-2), T O’Connor, D Collins, M Leane, J Diggins and C Walsh ( 0-1 each). Wicklow: C Moorehouse (0-13, 10’s), G Hughes (1-1), M Lee (0-2), D Stanton (0-1free).

Kerry: D Delaney; J O’Connor, C Savage, C O’Keeffe; E Ross, J Diggins, F McCarthy; P O’Connor, T O’Connor; F O’Sullivan, D Collins, B Mahony; S Conway, S Nolan, C Hussey. Subs: M Leane for D Collins (inj 5), M Boyle for T O’Connor (inj 20), C Walsh for B Mahony (inj 22), E Leen for E Ross (h/t), P Boyle for F O’Sullivan (h/t), S Sheehan for E Leen (54) N Guerin for C Hussey (54).

Wicklow: C McNally; B Kearney, M Mangan, M O’Brien; G Byrne, J Henderson, P Keane; D Stanton, S Cranley; P Doran, E Kearns, L Evans; G Hughes, C Moorehouse , M Lee. Subs: E McCormack for P Doran ( h/t) , A O’Brien for S Cranley (h/t), C Breen for M Mangan (53 mins), M Murphy for D Stanton (53 mins), W Kinsella for M Lee (54 mins), G Weir for J Henderson (62 mins), J Byrne for L Evans (64 mins)

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Referee: K Jordan (Tipperary).

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