Derry lead Kerry by a point at half time in their Allianz National League Division One clash being played in Killarney.
Sean Leo McGoldrick: On the scoresheet.
Kerry, playing with the breeze, opened the scoring after just two minutes with a point from Cox.
Two points, one a free, from Keane extended the lead to three after eight minutes.
However, Derry were not put off by the early setbacks and knuckled down to take command with points from Mark Lynch, Sean Leo McGoldrick, Enda Lynn and Kevin Johnston putting them a point ahead after 18 minutes.
Another Keane free in the 21st minute levelled the game before Jack Sherwood pointed four minutes later to put the home side back in front.
Ciaran McGoldrick brought Derry level again with a fisted point in the 28th minute before two points from Jimmy Kielt, one a free, restored the lead in the 32nd minute.
A Conor Cox point for Kerry saw Derry go in at half-time leading on a scoreline of 0-07 to 0-06.
Derry boss Brian McIver will be delighted with his side’s first half performance and will be hoping to capitalise playing with the breeze in the second 35.
However, he is experienced to know that Kerry will not lie down especially as they are looking to bounce back from last week’s defeat by 14-man Dublin.
Derry: Thomas Mallon (An Lúb); Declan Brown (Baile Eachaidh), Chrissy McKaigue (Leacht Néill). Dermot McBride (Baile na Scrine); mGerard O’Kane (Gleann an Iolair), Mark Lynch (Beannchar) captain, Aidan McAlynn (An Lúb); Fergal Doherty (Baile Eachaidh), Patsy Bradley (Leacht Néill); Sean Leo McGoldrick (Eoghan Rua), James Kielt (Cill Ria), Enda Lynn (Grainlocha); Kevin Johnston (Dún Geimhin), Emmett McGuckin (Machaire Fíolta), Ciaran McGoldrick (Eoghan Rua).
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