Joe Kernan's stuttering start to his managerial adventure with Galway has continued with a heavy ten-point defeat to Kerry at Salthill.
In the only Sunday game played in Division 1 of the Allianz NFL, the home side started brightly with star forward Michael Meehan snatching 1-4 from his side's 1-5 total, against Kerry's 0-4 midway through the first half.
However, Meehan injured his knee in scoring the goal, a fisted effort after a long ball into the square, and when he departed the scene, Galway's challenge imploded. In fact the Tribesmen failed to register another score until the 18th minute of the second half, although they lead at the break 1-5 to 0-6.
A Declan O'Sullivan goal for Kerry after the resumption really sparked Kerry's challenge as Galway's disappeared, with the Kingdom going on to register 2-16 in total, of which 2-9 came from play with Colm Cooper figuring prominently. It was he who got his side's second goal, a deft effort feathered home from a tight angle.
Galway were utterly rudderless without the focal point and threat of Meehan, with only three late scores from Paul Conroy doing anything to balance out the scores. It finished Kerry 2-16, Galway 1-9.