Fossa to edge through at second attempt

21-10-2016

Of the three county final competitions played last weekend the County Junior Final would have had the least profile of the three but probably ended up being the most exciting with supporters from both sides on the edge of their seats through eighty minutes of heart stopping action.

The passion, skill level and never say die attitude of both sides was a credit to the players themselves and their management teams and we now look forward to a repeat of it on November 6^th.

When previewing any replay, and trying to determine the winner this time around, the most important factors to take in to the account are which team will learn the most from the original encounter, but more importantly, which team will improve the most from it.

Fossa, who were free scoring all year in their successful Division 4 league campaign and also through this competition, were quick out of the blocks again in the drawn game and after their second goal midway through the first half had given them a six point lead, it looked like they would go on to dominate the North Kerry side.  But Beale slowly but surely got to grips with the task at hand, and through their physicality, and no shortage of character, they restricted the Fossa side to a mere seven more scores before the end of normal time.

Fossa will once again look to midfielder Matthew Rennie, who was influential all through in the drawn game, to be the link from defence to attack but who is also well capable of popping up and taking his own score.  Full forward and captain Domhnaill O’Sullivan will also hope to get more involved  the next day and lead his charges from the front but most importantly Fossa will hope that they can get more of a return from the dynamic Paudie Clifford.  Clifford was well marshalled by Jeremy King in the drawn game, an indicator of the damage Beale realised he could do, but if he can escape those shackles a little more in the replay then Fossa will be in a lot stronger position. 

Beale started slowly in the drawn game but once they got to grips with the task, based on their greater championship experience, particularly their recent North Kerry Championship success which was noted by John Evans after the game, they looked like the more likely winners.  Ger O’Gorman was outstanding throughout and his accuracy from placed balls was a major asset.  You would imagine Fossa will have noted the large free count against them and he will not get as many opportunities the next day.  James McMahon, prior to going off injured, showed all his experience and Beale will hope that it was nothing too serious and he will continue to marshal his troops in the replay.  Jeremy King should continue his man marking job on Clifford considering the success of this switch.  And in Kerry minor Cormac Linnane, if they can get more and better ball to him, Beale may just have the man to kick them to victory this time around. 

Fossa expect to have Shane Malone, and possibly Colin Davidson, back from injury for the replay and these extra additions will no doubt strengthen their hand.   For Beale, as mentioned, James McMahon’s fitness will be key to them but the game time got by substitutes Ian Blake and Darragh Buckley, who kicked two great scores, in the drawn game should also strengthen their forward options in a big way.

As with the first game, this replay is a difficult one to call.  Beale’s game plan in the drawn game worked very well, and if they can tighten up and prevent the goal opportunities this time around, they should be very well placed.  However, if Fossa can reduce the free count against them, and in turn the influence of Ger O’Gorman, and get Paudie Clifford on the ball more, I take them to be lifting the Con Brosnan cup at the second attempt.  

Fossa and Beale stalemate after extra time thriller

15-10-2016

Fossa                                                    3-10

Beale                                                    1-16

The general consensus heading in to this Junior Club final at Austin Stack Park was that although Beale would bring the traditional North Kerry spirit and doggedness to the game, Fossa would just have that extra bit of firepower and guile to get them over the line.  If only sport was that predictable!

In what was an absorbing contest throughout both sides must have felt they had won, and lost, this game at differing stages, Beale equalising in the 7^th minute of injury time at end of normal time through wing back Philly Blake and Fossa reeling off three unanswered points in the second half of extra time to force a replay.

Although Beale took an early lead through wing forward Ger O’Gorman, who was unerring all afternoon from placed balls, it was Fossa who struck the first major blow with a goal from corner forward Tadgh O’Shea in the 4^th minute, after a flowing move which went the length of the pitch.

Fossa were slick in their passing in these early stages with Beale a little slower and more ponderous.  O’Gorman converted once again and this was cancelled out by midfielder Matthew Rennie, who was industrious throughout, before Fossa struck for their second goal in the 14^th minute through Paudie Clifford.  He was well marshalled by the experienced Jeremy King all through but got away from his clutches on this occasion.

Kerry minor Cormac Linnane had been Beale’s only real outlet up to this point but he was continually being crowded out.  Slowly but surely however they began to get to grips with the Fossa game plan and started to dictate matters themselves.  After another free by O’Gorman in the 19^th minute they reeled off a further three unanswered points between the 26^th and 28^th minutes from Ian Mannix, Linnane and full forward Barry O’Mahoney to leave Fossa ahead by 2-3 to 0-6 at the break.

      

Beale continued this momentum early in the second half and hassled and harried the Fossa defence, forcing turnovers and capitalising accordingly.  With Clifford and O’Gorman exchanging frees, the latter scored his first from play in 37^th minute to reduce the deficit to 2-4 to 0-8.  Fossa’s wide count had risen to eight at this stage, they would hit thirtheen in total over the eighty minutes played.

O’Gorman again was on target before he rubberstamped his man of the match credentials by taking a pass from James McMahon, bore down on goal and finished emphatically past Colin Myers to give Beale a two point lead by the 42^nd minute, 2-4 to 1-9.

Domhnall O’Sullivan replied before Beale lost the experienced Paul Collins on a black card in the 48^th minute after a body check on Clifford off the ball.  O’Gorman was again on target before Beale lost another of their experienced leaders in James McMahon through injury in the 54^th minute and you wondered if they would have the where with all to close out the game now.

It looked like they may just do until, in the final minute of normal time, Rennie caught a great ball in the Beale square and was hauled down by corner back Johnny O’Sullivan and Fossa had a great chance of stealing it at the death.  Clifford converted expertly and we wondered if Beale would get one last chance to equalise.

Not only did they get that chance, converted again by O’Gorman, but with the excessive added time, Fossa looked to have won it once more through Tadgh O’Shea before Blake intervened at the death to take game to extra time.

It looked like Beale’s greater championship experience would steer them to victory in extra time as they took a two point lead at the break through scores from O’Gorman again, who else, and substitute Darragh Buckley.

But credit the character of Fossa.  After only scoring six points in the whole of normal time, and after Buckley pushing Beale’s lead out to three, they reeled off the final three scores in extra time through O’Sullivan, O’Shea and the influential Rennie to take the game to a replay. 

The mood in both camps after the game was one of relief to still have another chance at winning but also some regrets that they could not close it out on the day.  Beale manager Patie O’Mahoney was diplomatic after but a little baffled as to where the added time in extra time came from “We won and lost that game on a few occasions out there today but so did they.  It was an up and down game all through, any team could have grasped it in normal time and extra time.  I am a bit baffled as to why three minutes of injury time was added at the end of extra time.  Overall, however, no team probably deserved to lose on the day.  Our big players stood up and we came back well after conceding two bad goals in the first half from our point of view.  I am most pleased that we never gave up and if we hold on to ball better the next day we will be there or thereabouts again”

Fossa manager John Evans was also relieved to be in a position to fight another day but was fulsome in his praise of the bottle of his charges “ the experience of Beale got them back in it, held them together, but we came from behind three times.  We are a young team but we have great bottle, great to see that.  The free count against us was high, we will have to look at that.  I am thrilled though that as an inexperienced team we survived the pressure and fought back.  We have a few guys coming back from injury for the next day, it’s a learning curve for this team but all to play for again in the replay”

Main Man: A toss up between Fossa’s Matthew Rennie and Beale’s Ger O’Gorman, but for his scoring return which kept Beale in the game all through, the accolade goes to O’Gorman

Talking Point: The decision to penalise Paudie Clifford for a throw ball in lead up to a possible crucial goal for Fossa in extra time, but more so the added time by referee Ger Lynch at end of normal time and especially at end of extra time.

Teams & Scorers:

Fossa: Colin Myers, Colm Walsh, Kevin McCarthy, Anthony Wharton, Darragh Rice, Mark Dennehy, Daniel O’Keeffe, Fintan Coffey, Mathew Rennie (0-2), Mikey O’Shea, Lorcan Daly, Paudie Clifford (2-1, 1f, 1pen), Tadgh O’Shea (1- 4, 2f), Domnhaill O’Sullivan (c)( 0-2, 1f), Daniel O’Connell

Substitutes: Michael O’Keeffe for Mikey O’Shea, 37 Shane Malone for Daniel O’Connell 41 Cillian Bellew for Michael O’Keeffe, H/T. E/T  

Beale: Sean Dee, Killian Walsh O’Boyle, Colm Kissane, Johnny O’Sullivan, Shane Joy (c), Paul Collins, Philly Blake (0-1), Jeremy King, Neilus Mulvihill, Daniel Ellis, James McMahon (0-1, 1f), Ger O’Gorman (1-8, 6f, 45) Ian Mannix (0-1), Barry O’Mahoney (0-1), Cormac Linnane (0-1)

Substitutes: Shane Hanrahan for Daniel Ellis, H/T Ian Blake for Barry O’Mahoney, 38 Darragh Buckley for Colm Kissane, 45 Daniel Ellis for Paul Collins (Black)48 Cillian Courtney for James McMahon, 54 Mathew Moran for Johnny O’Sullivan (Black)60 Jamie Culloty for Jeremy King, 76      

Referee: Ger Lynch, Ballymacelligott

Fossa show extra firepower to edge out Scartaglen

02-10-2016

Fossa                                                    2-07

Scartaglen                                           0-07

In this hard fought and keenly contested encounter Fossa continued their impressive year by advancing to the final of the Junior Football Championship by seeing off fellow division four rivals Scartaglen.

In a wind swept Pairc Eamon in Farranfore (which was in great shape considering the recent inclement weather) John Evans charges struck for goals at crucial stages in both halves and this allowed them to keep the Scartaglen challenge at arms length.  Paudie Clifford was their go to man throughout and was pulling all the strings before his dismissal on a second yellow for an off the ball incident mid way through the second half.  Wing back Daniel O’Keeffe was also very prominent and corner forward Tadgh O’Shea finished with an impressive personal tally of 1-3.

For the vanquished Scartaglen side they defended resolutely and their counter attacking game kept the Fossa defence on their toes all through.  Mike Coakley and Padraig Reidy impressed along with midfielders Daniel Murphy and Mike Horan but unfortunately they struggled to get any major return from their inside forward line.

Both sides exchanged scores in the early moments through Mike Horan and Domnhaill O’Sullivan before Scartaglen’s Brian Hanrahan had a goal bound effort in the 8^th minute which was well blocked by the Fossa defence. 

Tadgh O’Shea edged Fossa ahead but Daniel Murphy levelled up once more from a free to leave the sides all square by the 15^th minute.

Fossa increased their wide tally to four shortly after before in the 21^st minute they struck for a very well worked goal.  The ball was moved through the hands of a number of players before Clifford palmed the ball down to the in rushing midfielder Fintan Coffey who finished emphatically to the net.  O’Sullivan tagged on a free almost immediately and now Fossa looked to have got a run on their opponents with a four point lead by the 23^rd minute.

Clifford was then booked for hauling back his marker and this would come back to haunt him later in the game.  Horan converted a free to keep Scartaglen in touch before O’Sullivan showed good alertness to follow up on a shot by Clifford which was blocked to give Fossa a 1-4 to 0-3 point lead at the break.

With the wind firmly at Scartaglen’s back at the start of the second half they hit the ground running and had the deficit cut to a single score by the 36^th minute with points from Brian Hanrahan, Horan once more and a rousing score from Coakley after being fed by the hard working Pa Rahilly.

Fossa seemed a little rattled by this early onslaught but midfielder Matthew Rennie settled the nerves with a curling effort from play before corner forward O’Shea tapped over a further free in the 43^rd minute to extend the lead to three points once again.

The decisive score of the game then arrived in the 45^th minute, when after great approach work by Clifford , he laid off to O’Shea on his shoulder and he gave keeper David Kerins no chance.  Scartaglen really had a mountain to climb now and it was hard to see them overcome it when working so hard for their scores and a forward line that was just not firing.

They never gave up however, and after Clifford was dismissed in the 49^th minute after referee Peter Lyons consulted his umpires, centre forward Pa Rahilly converted to leave Fossa five ahead entering the final five minutes.

O’Shea completed his impressive tally with a fisted effort, and try as they might, Scartaglen could lust not pierce the dogged Fossa defence.  Fossa played keep ball in the final moments to advance to what should be a cracking final meeting with Beale.

Man of the Match: Tadgh O’Shea, Fossa

Teams & Scorers:

Fossa: Colin Myers, Colm Walsh, Kevin McCarthy, Anthony Wharton, Darragh Rice, Mark Dennehy, Daniel O’Keeffe, Fintan Coffey (1-0), Mathew Rennie (0-1), Mikey O’Shea, Lorcan Daly, Paudie Clifford, Tadgh O’Shea (1- 3, 1f), Kenneth Clifford, Domnhaill O’Sullivan (c)( 0-3, 1f)

Substitutes: Michael O’Keeffe for Kenneth Clifford, 32 Damien Dennehy for Anthony Wharton, (Black) 52 Daniel O’Connell for Daniel O’Keeffe, (Black) 57 Brian Myers for Mikey O’Shea, 58

Scartaglen: David Kerins, Alan Horan, Brendan Rahilly (c), Ger O’Connor, Aaron Gallagher, Mike Coakley (0-1), Padraig Reidy, Daniel Murphy (0-1, 1f), Mike Horan (0-3, 1f), Brian Hanrahan (0-1), Pa Rahilly (0-1), Tom Forde, Kieran Herlihy, Niall Casey, Hugh O’Connor

Substitutes: Sean P. O’Connor for Alan Horan, (Black) 57 Thomas Fortune for Hugh O’Connor, 59 William O’Connor for Kieran Herlihy, 59 Jack Walsh for Aaron Gallagher 61 

    

Referee: Peter Lyons, Cromane

McCarthy goals seal it for Emmets

14-08-2016

Listowel Emmets                               2-11

Waterville                                          0-07

The final scoreline gives a fair reflection of Listowel’s dominance of this game throughout but it took two quality goals from midfielder Tom McCarthy at the end of both halves to close the game out.

Shorn of key attacker Conor Cox and Jack McQuire in defence, the home side made little of their absence and hit the ground running from the off.  They were full of energy throughout and the visitors were just not able to live with them on the day despite the best efforts of Fionan Clifford, Niall Fitzgerald and sub Keith Moran.

Midfielder McCarty’s two goals stood out and he was involved in all that was good about the Listowel play on the day.  Corner forward Sam Tarrant also impressed, in the first half in particular, and was a willing outlet for the impressive approach play of his teammates.

Listowel started the more determined and were winning the majority of the breaks around the middle.  They raced in to a three points lead by the 7^th minute with scores from Cathal Keane, Tarrant and Cormac Mulvihill, who was unlucky to see his effort flash over off the crossbar.

Waterville keeper Seamus O’Shea produced a great save to deny David Sheehy before both sides exchanged wides and Waterville had still not opened their account by the 20^th minute.

Sheehy extended Listowel’s lead and Waterville were left cursing their luck as they hit the upright on two occasions in quick succession and also dropped efforts in to the keepers hands.

Centre back Darragh Leahy galloped forward to get his name on the score sheet before Waterville finally opened their account in the 29^th minute through Niall Fitzgerald.  They looked to have limited any further damage before the half time break until McCarthy intercepted in midfield and was on hand to take the final pass and bury to the net to give the home side a commanding 1-07 to 0-1 lead at the whistle.

Sub Keith Moran and Bryan Murphy exchanged points at start of second half before Listowel keeper Keith Hughes denied Greg Gibson a great goal chance which would have given Waterville a lifeline.

Maurice Whelan and Moran once more pointed to leave Listowel still leading by 1-09 to 0-3 by the 41^st Minute.  Waterville were slowly starting to create more openings in the Listowel defence, and after midfielder Oran Clifford had converted a free,  corner forward Stephen O’Dwyer had a great goal chance in the 49^th minute but he blazed over.

Noel Kennelly had now entered the fray for Listowel and he showed his experience and composure by tapping over in the 51^st minute with his team now leading by 1-11 to 0-6.  The game’s only real controversy then arose shortly after when Waterville appealed for a penalty for a possible foot block on a goal attempt by full back Daniel O’Dwyer but to no avail.

Midfielder Clifford did kick a further point from play before his counterpart McCarthy had the last say with another top quality finish to the net to leave Listowel comfortable ten point winners in the end. 

Man of the Match: Tom McCarthy, Listowel

Teams & Scorers:

Listowel Emmets: Keith Hughes, Jake Moriarty, Brendan Guiney, Darragh Broderick, Tom Melvin, Darragh Leahy (0-1), Cathal Keane (0-1), Tom McCarthy (2-0), Darren Halpin, Denis Walsh, Bryan Murphy (0-1), Maurice Whelan (0-1), David Sheehy (0- 2), Cormac Mulvihill (0-2, 1f), Sam Tarrant ( 0-2, 1f)

Substitutes: Noel Kennelly (0-1) for Darren Halpin, 44 John Heaphy for Cathal Keane, 48 Sean Gilbert for Cormac Mulvihill, 57 Darren Halpin for Tom McCarthy, 60

Waterville: Seamus O’Shea, Adam O’Dwyer, Daniel O’Dwyer, Michael Cronin, Alan O’Dwyer, Fionan Clifford, Greg Gibson, Cormac O’Sullivan, Oran Clifford (0-3, 1f), Sean Cathal O’Sullivan, Niall Fitzgerald (0-1), Cillian Clifford, Stephen O’Dwyer (0-1), Paddy Curran, Sam O’Dwyer

Substitutes: Keith Moran (0-2) for Sean Cathal O’Sullivan, H/T JV O’Dwyer for Paddy Curran, 43 Greg O’Mahoney for Cillian Clifford, 44  

  

Referee: Donal Casey, Scartaglen

Na Gaeil’s second half surge blows Firies away

16-07-2016

Firies                                                   1-05

Na Gaeil                                              2-13

With a dominant second half performance Na Gaeil preserved their one hundred percent record in the division while also cementing their promotion push for next year.

Played in a constant drizzle and with slippery underfoot conditions, the visitors restricted the home side to a solitary score in the second half with Dan O’Connor’s goal in the last ten minutes killing off any hope of a Firies comeback.

Firies had to line out without Jack Sherwood due to injury and his influence was sorely missed in the second half when the tide began to turn against his team.  Na Gaeil were workmanlike throughout with Seamie O’Neill, Ian McCarthy and sub Ger O’Connor particularly to the fore.

The game started slowly with unforced errors on both sides before Na Gaeil hit a purple patch, kicking five unanswered scores by the 11^th minute and looking in full control.  The home team needed to respond and after Na Gaeil keeper Timmy Culloty pulled off a point plank save they were not to be denied in the 15^th minute when Edward Kerrisk fisted across goal and James O’Donoghue side footed to the net.

Firies were beginning to get a foothold in the middle of the park now and the incisiveness of the Na Gaeil play in the early stages was now starting to wane.  Midfielder Padraig de Bruin, with driving runs, kicked two curling efforts to reduce the deficit to the minimum by the 24^th minute.

Kerrisk levelled and then put Firies ahead to leave the Na Gaeil supporters scratching their heads as to how their team had now lost all their momentum.  It looked like the sides would go in level at the break but Na Gaeil countered at speed and Diarmaid Herlihy was on hand to hammer the ball to the net to give visitors a major shot in the arm.

And the Tralee men dominated from start to finish in the second half with Firies restricted to speculative shots at goal.  Corner forward O’Neill pushed the lead out to six by the 43^rd minute before Conal Murphy responded for Firies which turned out to be the home sides last score of the game.

Eoin Walsh and sub Ger O’Connor added further scores from play before midfielder Dan O’Connor’s goal finished off a very clinical second half performance by the visitors.

Firies must now pick themselves up for what is probably a make or break game in their push for promotion away to Ballymacelligott next weekend while hoping that Na Gaeil do them a favour at home to Skellig Rangers. 

Teams & Scorers:

Firies: B. O’Rourke, D. Shea, J. O’Mahoney, A. Courtney, D. Kerrisk, J. Donoghue (1-0), P. Browne(c), D. O’Connor, P. De Bruin (0-2), E. Kerrisk (0-2, 1f), I. Crowley, W. Courtney, C. Murphy (0-1), C. O’Shea, S. Burke

Substitutes: N. McCarthy, S. Flynn, E. O’Rourke

Na Gaeil: T. Culloty, P. Daly, D. Brazil, D. Sheehy, E. Sheehy, D. Culloty (0-1)(c), C. Lyons, D. O’Connor (1-0) E. O’Neill, E. Walsh (0-1), I. McCarthy(0-2, 2f), D. Seymour(0-2), D. Herlihy (1-1), J. Lohan, S. O’Neill (0-4)

Substitutes: G. O’Connor (0-2), O. Doody

Referee: Martin Boyle, Milltown/Castlemaine

Mid Kerry come back from the dead to stun Dingle

22-05-2016

Mid Kerry                                            3-14

Dingle                                                   2-15

With 16 minutes remaining in this game Dingle held a thirteen point lead and it looked certain that they would cruise in to the next round of the competition.  Mid Kerry had lost their captain and talisman Darren O’Sullivan through injury early in the second half and their challenge seemed to have disappeared with him.

However, with a never say die attitude and substitutions which changed the momentum of the game, Mid Kerry chipped away at the Dingle lead and what happened from there to the end of normal time was one of the greatest comebacks seen in this competition for many a day.

When Peter Crowley saw his effort skim the bar and go over in the final minute of normal time, the lead had been cut to six but it looked like it was too little too late for Mid Kerry.  But they kept driving forward and when Gavin O’Grady goaled the miracle was on and in the last play substitutes Padraig Doona and Tommy Cahill combined for the latter to smash the ball to the net and take a stunned Dingle to extra time.

All the momentum was now with Mid Kerry, and even though the first period of extra time was even, they pushed on in the second half to cap off a scarcely believable victory and leave Dingle to curse the magnitude of their collapse.

Dingle dominated the early exchanges with Mark O’Connor operating as a third midfielder and raced in to a 1-5 to no score lead with points from Paul Geaney and Conor Geaney and a superb goal from Mikey Geaney after a crisp passing movement.

Tom O’Sullivan was doing a good marking job on Darren O’Sullivan who seemed to be nursing his right hamstring from early in the game.  Conor Geaney was coming to the fore for Dingle and after Donnchadh Walsh and Liam Carey had opened Mid Kerry’s account, Geaney tapped in for Dingle’s second goal in first half injury time after great work in the build up by Paul Geaney.  Dingle now led by 2-3 to 0-6 and looked in total control.

Mid Kerry moved Donnchadh Walsh to midfield at start of the second half to see if they could stem the Dingle flow there but it looked to have no impact as Dingle drove forward and extended their lead to 2-10 to 0-3 by the 44^th minute with further scores from Matthew Flaherty, Paul Devane and a Conor Geaney brace.

Darren O’Sullivan had been withdrawn by now but the other Mid Kerry substitutes were slowly beginning to make an impact and in particular Mike Breen who was starting to win a lot of breaking ball around the middle and taking on the Dingle defence.  A Donnchadh Walsh goal in the 47^th minute looked immaterial as Paul Geaney, Breandan Kelleher and a Mikey Geaney free had pushed the Dingle lead out to 2-13 to 1-7 by the 56^th minute.

However, Peter Crowley, showing the drive needed, kept the pressure on and with Gavin O’Grady converting it set us up for the grandstand finish which took the game to a scarcely believable extra time.   

Kelleher and substitute Caolim Teahan exchanged scores in the first period of extra time before Mid Kerry’s momentum drove them home in the second period with Crowley again to the fore and a booming effort from Teehan finally settling matters to give Mid Kerry a famous two point victory.  

Main Man: Mike Breen, Mid Kerry

Up to the mid point of the second half this accolade would only be going to a Dingle player, with Conor Geaney in particular impressing.  However, Mid Kerry’s substitutes changed the momentum of this game and none more so than Breen.  He broke the Dingle stranglehold in midfield and his driving runs created the openings in the Dingle defence that led to the dramatic finish

Teams & Scorers:

Mid Kerry: Michael Moriarty (Beaufort), Pa Kilkenny (Glenbeigh/Glencar), Nathan Breen (Beaufort), Ger Hartnett (Beaufort), John Tyther (Laune Rangers) (0-1), Peter Crowley (Laune Rangers)(0-2), Aaron Cahillane (Keel), Colin McGillycuddy (Glenbeigh/Glencar), Ronan Murphy (Beaufort) (0-1), Padraig Doona (Beaufort)(0-01), Liam Carey (Beaufort)(0-1), Tommy Cahill (Glenbeigh/Glencar)(1-0), Gavan O’Grady(Glenbeigh/Glencar)(1-4, 2f), Donnchadh Walsh (1-1), Darren O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar)(c)

Substitutes: Mike Breen (Beaufort) for C. McGillycuddy, 29 Daniel McBeth (Laune Rangers) for A. Cahillane, 29 Caolim Teehan (Glenbeigh/Glencar) (0-2) for D. O’Sullivan, 37 Jack Brosnan (Glenbeigh/Glencar) for J. Tyther, 50 Bernard Murphy (Glenbeigh/Glencar) (0-1) for L. Carey, 58 Fergal Griffin (Glenbeigh/Glencar) for D. McBeth 62 Kieran Courtney (Glenbeigh/Glencar) for P. Doona, 72 C. McGillycuddy for T. Cahill, 72

Dingle: Gavin H. Curran, Tom Leo O’Sullivan, Patrick O’Connor, Conor O’Sullivan, Matthew Flaherty (Joint Capt) (0-1), Tom O’Sullivan, Breandan Kelleher (0-2), Barry O’Sullivan, Darragh O’Sullivan, Paul Devane (0-1), Mikey Geaney (Joint Capt) (1-1, 1f), Conor Geaney (1-4, 1f), Aiden O’Connor (0-1), Paul Geaney (0-4, 1f) , Mark O’Connor (0-1)

Substitutes: Patrick Devane for T. O’Sullivan, 50 Michael Flannery for C. Geaney, 52 Gavin Curran for M. Flaherty 55 Brian Devane for P. Devane, 58 Michael Slattery for D. O’Sullivan, 60

Referee: Tom Moriarty, Legion

Talking Point: Plain and simply, Mid Kerry’s miraculous comeback.  Whether it was good fortune or a Dingle collapse, it had all those lucky to witness it chatting about it on way home after the game

Milltown/Castlemaine edge out East Kerry after extra time

22-05-2016

Milltown-Castlemaine                        1-15

Legion                                                  1-14

In an error ridden encounter with an exceptionally high free count, it was Milltown/Castlemaine who showed the greater composure in extra time to advance and leave East Kerry pondering what might have been for another year.

After a chastening defeat to Legion the previous weekend a reaction was needed from this Milltown/Castlemaine team and they started this game like a team that had a point to prove.  They dominated possession in the early exchanges but East Kerry settled to the task at hand and they looked like they had stolen the initiative when full forward Lee O’Donoghue goaled on the stroke of half time.

They retained this advantage with four minutes to go but their indiscipline, which was a feature of their game all afternoon, allowed Milltown/Castlemaine sharpshooter Jonathan O’Sullivan to tie up matters in the final minutes and take the game to extra time.

And Milltown/Castlemaine struck the decisive blow at the end of the first period of extra time when corner forward O’Sullivan was fouled and he dusted himself down to despatch the penalty to the net and from there they kept East Kerry at bay for the remaining minutes.

Milltown/Castlemaine started brightly and had early scores from Shane Murphy and Pa Wrenn before East Kerry responded through Lee O’Donoghue and Ronan Buckley to tie the scores up by the 15^th minute at three points apiece.

Jeff O’Donoghue pushed East Kerry ahead before Marcus Mangan responded for Milltown/Castlemaine with a cracking free from the ground from 45 metres out.  And then came O’Donoghue’s goal when he palmed the ball to the net after a lightening counter attack and East Kerry led by 1-5 to 0-5 at the half time break.

The swirling wind had picked up for the start of the second period but this did not bother East Kerry’s Jeff O’Donoghue who landed another terrific effort from distance, a feature of his game, to extend their lead.  But from here East Kerry’s indiscipline came to the fore and O’Sullivan kept the scoreboard ticking over for Milltown/Castlemaine from placed balls to leave the minimum between the teams at 1-6 to 0-8 by the 45^th minute.

Lee O’ Donoghue looked to have settled East Kerry’s nerves with a further brace but O’Sullivan, not to be outdone, converted on three further occasions, the final in the 5^th minute of injury time, to leave the sides level at full time on a scoreline of 1-9 to 0-12.

East Kerry started the extra period positively and pushed ahead through midfielder Fintan Coffey and another curling effort from Jeff O’Donoghue.   But that was as good as it got as Milltown/Castlemaine hit a purple patch and Gavin Horan and sub Donal Dennehy converted before O’Sullivan’s penalty left them leading by 1-15 to 1-11 by the half time whistle.

Try as East Kerry might in the second period, and despite scores from subs Evan Cronin and Daragh Moynihan, they could not bridge the gap and their day was soured further when captain Jack Sherwood was dismissed in the final minute for a second yellow.

With their season now over the East Kerry view was one of major disappointment.  “We could have played better but our lack of discipline hurt us badly.  We gave ourselves chances on a couple of occasions to drive on and win, but when on top we did not capitalise enough.  We did not create enough goal chances to really kill them off”

Main Man: Jonathan O’Sullivan, Milltown/Castlemaine

Scorer of 1-9 on the day, they may have all been from placed balls, but when Milltown/Castlemaine needed to stay in the game and punish East Kerry indiscipline, O’Sullivan was deadly accurate and his converted penalty sealed the game

Teams & Scorers:

Milltown-Castlemaine: Cormac Leane, Stephen Roche, Damien Murphy, Jeremiah Hayes, Paul Carroll, Marcus Mangan (0-1, 1f), David Roche, Mike Burke, Brendan Delaney, Gavin Horan (0-2), Shane Murphy (0-1), Eoin O’Brien, Donal Kelleher (c), Pa Wrenn (0-1), Jonathan O’Sullivan (1-09, 1 pen, 9f)

Substitutes: Kevin Tagney for C. Leane, Inj 29 Cathal O’Connor for P. Wrenn, Black 30 Cieran Kelleher for J. Hayes, H/T Donal Dennehy (0-1) for E. O’Brien 62

East Kerry: Colin Myers (Fossa), Darren Brosnan (Gneeveguilla), Matt Moynihan (Spa), Shane Courtney (Glenfesk), Cian Horan (Glenfesk), Dan O’Donoghue (Spa), Stephen Foley (Firies), Michael McCarthy (Spa), Fintan Coffey (Fossa) (0-1), Jack Sherwood (Firies) (c), Jeff O’Donoghue (Glenfesk) (0-5, 1f) Padraig De Bruin (Firies), Ronan Buckley (Listry) (0-1), Lee O’Donoghue (Glenfesk) (1-3, 1f) Darragh Roche (Glenfesk) (0-1, 1f)

Substitutes: Gary O’Sullivan (Listry) for M. McCarthy, H/T Daragh Moynihan (0-2) for P. De Bruin, 41 Michael Foley (Spa) for D. Roche, 46 Evan Cronin (Spa) (0-1) for D. O’Donoghue, 60 Andrew Garnett (Spa) for G. O’Sullivan, 65

Referee: Seamus Mulvihill, St. Senan’s

Talking Point: The free ridden nature of this game.  Referee Seamus Mulvihill may have been feeling the heat from the stand for some of his decisions, but with both teams guilty of regular acts of indiscipline, it was a difficult task for him at times 

Mid Kerry keep Kilcummin at bay to adavance

15-05-2016

Mid Kerry                                            3-12

Kilcummin                                          1-13

For the first time since the early 1970’s Mid Kerry lined out in a County Championship fixture with Laune Rangers players included.  With the calibre of county player Peter Crowley joining the ranks therefore, the general consensus was that Mid Kerry would have too much guile and craft for this Kilcummin side.

The game however was nip and tuck in the first half with Kilcummin sticking to their task and shutting down the space to the Mid Kerry dangermen.  As the second half wore on however the Mid Kerry midfield gained the upper hand and the scores came more freely then for the ever dangerous Darren O’Sullivan and Gavin O’Grady.  Midfielder Shane McSweeney and wing back Philip Casey battled hard for Kilcummin but they lacked the marquee forwards to really test Mid Kerry’s mettle as the second half wore on. 

Kilcummin got the perfect start with a goal from wing back Philip Casey in the second minute but Mid Kerry responded with points from Gavin O’Grady and Donnchadh Walsh, who was now roaming out from his full forward berth.

Darren O Sullivan, after one of his trademark driving runs, played in Gary Sayers on the overlap and he made no mistake to put Mid Kerry ahead by the minimum by the 10^th minute.

Kevin McCarthy converted for Kilcummin before Mid Kerry struck for their second goal in the 18^th minute. Darren O’Sullivan was again the instigator, midfielder Colin McGillycuddy applying the finish and Mid Kerry now led by four.

McCarthy’s accuracy from placed balls kept Kilcummin in touch and he converted on four occasions to leave Mid Kerry ahead by the minimum at the half time whistle.

Kilcummin corner back William Maher tied matters up on the restart and both sides exchanged scores and by the 40^th minute the teams could still not be separated.

McGillycuddy and Ronan Murphy were starting to get a stranglehold around the middle and Liam Carey was also starting to influence matters from the centre forward berth.  Sayers, Carey and Jer Sheehan raised further white flags to push the lead out to three by the 47^th minute.

And the defining score arrived a minute later when Crowley raised through, took a return pass, and gave his county colleague Kealy no chance and suddenly the lead was out to six.  Midfielder Murphy and Darren O’Sullivan tagged on further scores but Kilcummin never threw in the towel.  Casey, two, McCarthy and Noel Duggan all added scores in the final minutes but it was too little too late and Mid Kerry advanced.

Main Man: Peter Crowley, Mid Kerry

In a game which was difficult to pick out a stand out performer, Crowley gets the nod for his top defensive work but also for his support play which culminated in the goal that closed out this game

Teams & Scorers:

Mid Kerry: Michael Moriarty (Beaufort), Pa Kilkenny (Glenbeigh/Glencar), Nathan Breen (Beaufort), Ger Hartnett (Beaufort), John Tyther (Laune Rangers), Peter Crowley (Laune Rangers)(1-0), Aaron Cahillane (Keel), Colin McGillycuddy (Glenbeigh/Glencar)(1-0), Ronan Murphy (Beaufort) (0-1), Gary Sayers (Keel)(1-01), Liam Carey (Beaufort)(0-2, 1f), Bernard Murphy (Glenbeigh/Glencar)(0-1), Gavan O’Grady(Glenbeigh/Glencar)(0-3, 2f), Donnchadh Walsh (0-1), Darren O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar)(c) (0-2)

Substitutes: Padraig Doona (Beaufort) (0-1) for D. Walsh, 36 Daniel McBeth (Laune Rangers) for B. Murphy, 42 Mike Breen (Beaufort) for A. Cahillane, 55 Tommy Cahill (Glenbeigh/Glencar) for G. Sayers, 56 Fergal Hallissey (Beaufort) for C. McGillycuddy, 60

Kilcummin: Brendan Kealy, Sean Brosnan, Damien O’Leary, William Maher (0-1), Jer Sheehan (0-1), Chris o’Leary, Philip Casey (1-3, 3f), Kevin Gorman, Shane McSweeney, Mikey O’Shea, John Devane,  Noel Duggan (0-1), Kevin McCarthy (0-7, 6f), John McCarthy, Matthew Keane

Substitutes: Daniel O’Leary (c) for D. O’Leary, H/T Richie o’Connor for M. O’Shea, 46 jamie O’Donoghue for W. Maher, 50 Chris Keane for J. Devane, 54 Dan Moynihan for J. Sheehan, 56

Referee: Seamus Mulvihill, St. Senans

Talking Point: The substitution of Donnchadh Walsh early in the second half after taking a heavy fall shortly before half time.  Let’s hope it was precautionary and nothing more serious.

Legion stroll to victory over disappointing Milltown-Castlemaine

15-05-2016

Milltown-Castlemaine                        0-07

Legion                                                  5-11

The sun shone brightly in Killorglin but it was goals that rained down as Legion recorded a facile victory over a very disappointing Milltown-Castlemaine challenge.

The game was over as a contest by half time with Legion having hit the net on three occasions and in total control all over the pitch.  Milltown-Castlemaine set up defensively but they could not stop the green and white onslaught and really struggled themselves to make any impact in their own forward line. 

Jamie O’Sullivan dominated at midfield for Legion, Chris Davies and Padraig O’Connor swept up everything at the back and centre forward David O’Sullivan and corner forward Conor Keane instigated the majority of Legion scores, O’Sullivan in particular finishing with an impressive personal tally of 2-05.

Keane and midfielder O’Sullivan had opened the scoring for Legion before Jonathan Lyne, named at wing forward but playing at wing back, ran on to a perfect ball over the defence and made no mistake by crashing to the net.

Further scores followed from wing forward Jack O’Neill and centre forward David O’Sullivan before O’Sullivan himself was at the end of a flowing move in the 17^th minute to palm the ball to the net.  Legion’s tally at this stage was 2-04 with the only response being a converted free from corner forward Jack McCarthy for Milltown-Castlemaine.

Legion’s midfield dominance shut off the options available to the Milltown-Castlemaine forward line and they were totally dependent on placed balls from McCarthy for scores.  He added two more to reduce the deficit but Legion struck for their third goal just before half time when wing forward Donal Lyne finished to the net after great approach work by Conor Keane. 

The one sided nature of the contest continued early in the second half and when wing forward O’Neill was hauled back, centre forward O’Sullivan dispatched the resultant penalty to extend Legion’s lead to 4-05 to 0-03 by the 34^th minute. 

Centre back Marcus Mangan battled hard for Milltown-Castlemaine and McCarthy’s accuracy from placed balls also stood out as he converted three in a row between the 39^th and 46^th minute in their only real period of concerted pressure in the game.

But from there until the end it was all one way traffic once more.  Corner forward Peter McCarthy got in on the goal scoring act after more good approach play from centre forward O’Sullivan, before O’Sullivan himself took over the scoring in the final ten minutes.  He converted three more frees with a smashing effort from play sandwiched in between to give Legion an emphatic nineteen point winning margin at the final whistle.

Main Man: David O’Sullivan, Legion

Scorer of two goals and an assist in two more, O’Sullivan was a thorn in the Milltown-Castlemaine side all afternoon

Teams & Scorers:

Milltown-Castlemaine: Cormac Leane, Stephen Roche, Damian Murphy, Jeremiah Hayes, Paul Carroll, Marcus Mangan, David Roche, Mike Burke, Brendan Delaney, Gavin Horan, Shane Murphy, Eoin O’Brien, Donal Kelleher (0-1), Pa Wrenn, Jack McCarthy (0-6, 6f)

Substitutes: Cieran Kelleher for B. Delaney, 37 Cathal O’Connor for S. Roche, 40 Alan Looney for D. Kelleher, 47 Donal Dennehy for M. Burke, 47 Sean O’Dea for Jeremiah Hayes, 51 Thady O’Sullivan for P. Carroll, 58

Legion: Brian Kelly, Chris Davies, Danny Sheehan, Padraig O’Connor, Darragh O’Doherty, Damien O’Sullivan, Donal Lyne (1-1), Jamie O’Sullivan (0-1), Shaun Keane (c), Jack O’Neill (0-1), David O’Sullivan (2-5, 2f, I pen) Jonathan Lyne (1-0), Peter McCarthy (1-1), Billy McGuire, Conor Keane (0-2)

Substitutes: Cathal Sheehan for J. O’Sullivan, 37 Mike O’Sullivan for D. Lyne, 39 Conor Culloty for P. McCarthy, 51 Thomas Moriarty for B. McGuire, 53 Alan Moriarty for D. O’Sullivan, 55 Denis Sheahan for J. O’Neill, 57

Referee: Paul O’Sullivan, Dromid

Talking Point: James O’Donoghue listed among the Legion substitutes.  He was not required on the day but good to see him on the verge of a comeback from his injury setback 

Knocknagoshel finish strongly to take the spoils

01-05-2016

Knocknagoshel                                 1-12

Tousist                                                 1-11

It may have been the first day of summer, but as the rain bucketed down here prior to throw in, one could be forgiven for wondering what season had arrived.  Credit then to both sides for serving up a wholehearted encounter, which may have lacked quality at times, but was in the balance right to the end.

Knocknagoshel’s James Walsh would finish the game with a personal tally of 1-06 and was the go to man at all times for the home side.  Midfielder Flor O’Sullivan and full forward Michael Tim O’Sullivan were to the fore for the visitors with the latter in particular causing numerous problems for the home defence and finishing with an impressive haul himself of 1-08.

Walsh and O’Sullivan exchanged points in the early stages before Knocknagoshel were awarded a penalty when wing forward Niall Barrett was hauled back.  Walsh converted despite the best efforts of keeper Peter Healy and the home side led by three with eight minutes on the clock.

Tousist’s wide tally was beginning to mount before O’Sullivan and wing forward Marcus McNally slotted over and the visitor’s were now settling to the task at hand.  Knock wing back Denis Collins, helping out his attack, pointed before O’Sullivan again showed his quality, showing, dummying and slotting over to leave the minimum between the sides after 21 minutes.

Barrett again responded for Knocknagoshel before Tousist hit a purple patch and scored four unanswered points through wing back Ryan Fitzpatrick, Flor O’Sullivan and two from full forward O’Sullivan to leave the away side two points to the good at the half time break, 1-04 to 0-09.

Tousist started the second half on the front foot and dangerman O’Sullivan had them three points up by the 35^th minute.  But then Knocknagoshel seemed to awake from their slumber.  Driven on by Walsh, who was by now operating around the middle, and ably assisted by his younger brother Michael, they slowly began to gain the upper hand as the Tousist challenge seemed to run out of steam.

Corner forward John O’Keeffe and Walsh reduced the gap to the minimum before Tousist had Michael Pat O’Sullivan black carded for a high challenge as their frustrations grew.  Michael Walsh levelled and then brother James again and wing back Collins extended the lead to two by the 46^th minute and Knocknagoshel seemed to be driving for home.

Or so we thought.  O’Sullivan as ever was cool as ice to slot the ball home from a rare Tousist attack and now they led by one with ten minutes to go.

Knocknagoshel now needed leaders to stand up and credit to Walsh who showed continuously, and after tying up the game in the 52^nd minute, it was fitting that he had the final say when kicking what turned out to be the winner in the 56^th minute as they kept Tousist at bay in the final moments.

Knocknagoshel manager Pat O’Shea was high in his praise after “it was a big turnaround, we were beaten by them in County League recently, we changed the team around and got a performance today”

.

Man of the Match: James Walsh, Knocknagoshel

Teams & Scorers:

Knocknagoshel: Aidan Walsh, Mike Murphy, John Brosnan, Denis Collins, Padraig Reidy (0-2), Michael Walsh (0-1), Cillian O’Connor, Darragh O’Connell, Mike Brosnan (c), Darragh O’Connell, James Walsh (1-06, 1f, 1 pen), Niall Barrett (0-2), John O’Keefe (0-1), Conor Sheehan, David O’Donoghue

Substitutes: Richie Cotter for D. O’Connell, 56 Daniel Leahy for D. O’Donoghue, 58

Tousist: Peter Healy, Conor Harrington, Morgan O’Sullivan, Michael Healy, Dan Hawker, Liam O’Shea, Ryan Fitzpatrick (0-1), Flor O’Sullivan (0-1), Peter O’Shea, Marcus McNally (0-1), Daniel O’Shea, Colm Brosnan, Sean Healy, Michael Tim O’Sullivan (c) (1-8, 5f), Michael Pat O’Sullivan

Substitutes: Sean Daly for M.P. O’Sullivan, 41 Danny O’Shea for S. Healy, 45  

Referee: James O’Sullivan, Firies

No separating Listowel and Beaufort in extra time thriller

23-04-2016

Listowel Emmets                             1-18

Beaufort                                              1-18

After 80 minutes of pulsating action neither Listowel nor Beaufort could be separated after this gripping encounter.  The game had pretty much everything, two teams giving their all, 38 scores in total, the sides level on no less than ten occasions, extra time and the game hanging in the balance until the final kick.  And that didn’t take in to account Beaufort having to change their jerseys after 10 minutes due to a clash of colours with the hosts.

Although level at the break it looked like Listowel had wrestled control when they raced in to a five point lead early in the second half.  But Beaufort showed great character in battling back, their high fitness levels complementing their hard running game, and will count themselves unlucky not to have closed out the game in normal time and certainly after extra time.  They created a number of goal opportunities, which if taken, would almost surely have killed off the home challenge.

Both sides exchanged scores in the first ten minutes with Conor Cox and Liam Carey to the fore.  Beaufort had their first great goal chance in the 17^th minute but home keeper Keith Hughes was equal to the effort.

Full forward Francis Courtney was causing the home defence problems but Cox and corner forward Bryan Murphy tagged on scores to push Listowel ahead.  But Beaufort stuck to their task, should have goaled through Carey who was unlucky to see his effort rebound out off the upright, before Courtney and midfielder Murphy’s efforts had the teams all square at the break at eight points apiece.

The game was crying out for someone to take it by the scruff of the neck and Listowel’s Murphy stepped up with a cracking goal upon the restart. Both he and Cox added further scores by the 36^th minute and suddenly Listowel were five clear and seemingly in total control.

But from here it all began to unravel for Listowel.  Lacking any foothold in the middle the long ball in to their full forward line was being snapped up by a dominant Beaufort defence, in particular centre back Mike Breen, who was a driving force throughout. 

With Hughes called in to action once more with another point blank save the warning signs were there for Listowel.  Centre forward Fergal Hallissey narrowed the gap before Padraig Doona found space to finally beat Hughes and you could sense the momentum shift.  Breen levelled and then Courtney pushed the lead out to two by the 57^th minute.

Listowel called for experienced heads and introduced Noel Kennelly and to their credit they responded through Cormac Mulvihill and Cox once more to take the game to extra time.

Beaufort looked to have the edge in fitness going in to the extra period and so it seemed when Hallissey from two frees and Carey from play edged them three points clear by the 65^th minute.  And the game should have been wrapped up when Doona went on another of his storming runs before unleashing a shot, which looked a goal all over, but unfortunately for him it cannoned back off the upright.  Listowel had a reprieve and through Cox and the experienced Kennelly they tied up matters once more in the final minute to take the game to an eagerly awaited replay.

Listowel selector Paudie Buckley summed up the relief in the Listowel camp “we are happy with a draw, happy to have a second day out” while his counterpart Gary McGrath was fulsome in his praise for his team “there was a performance in the team and we got it out of them in second half today”

Man of the Match: Conor Cox, Listowel

Teams & Scorers:

Listowel Emmets: Keith Hughes, Jake Moriarty, Jack McGuire, Niall Collins, Brendan Guiney, Darragh Leahy, Maurice Whelan, Tom McCarthy, Cormac Mulvihill (0-1), Aidan Quinn (0-1), Denis Walsh, David Sheehy (0-2), Bryan Murphy (1- 2), Bryan Sweeney, Conor Cox (c) ( 0-11, 4f)

Substitutes: Dara Hughes for A. Quinn, 42 Noel Kennelly (0-1, 1f) for D. Walsh, 56 Tom Mevlin for D. Leahy, 63 Darragh Broderick for M. Whelan, 70 Shane Quinn for T. McCarthy, 71 Sam Tarrant for D. Sheehy, 73 John Heaphy for N. Colllins 78

Beaufort: Mike Moriarty, Padraig Hartnett, Gerard Hartnett, Brendan Cronin, Jeremiah O’Sullivan (0-1), Mike Breen (0-1), James O’Reilly (0-1), Ronan Murphy (0-3), Nathan Breen (c), Sean Kelleher, Fergal Hallissey (0-4, 3f, 1 45), Padraig Doona (1-2), Danny Healy, Francis Courtney (0-4, 1f), Liam Carey (0-1)

Substitutes: Ronan Ferris (0-1) for S. Kelliher, 12 Kevin Ferris for D. Healy, 52  

Referee: Donal Casey, Scartaglen

Ardfert topple holder’s St Mary’s after gripping battle

16-04-2016

Ardfert                                                 2-15

St Mary’s                                             1-16

In this meeting of current and former champions of the Castleisland Mart Club Intermediate Championship, 2014 champions Ardfert hit the ground running from the off.  With young midfielder Fionan Mackessy curbing the influence of county star Bryan Sheehan, the home side sprinted in to a 4 points to no score lead by the 8^th minute with points from David Griffin, one, and Shane Griffin, three, who had been moved to full forward at this point.

County hurling star John Egan was showing up to good effect and he would be the outstanding player on the pitch on the day.  Corner forward Anthony O’Gorman opened St Mary’s account in the 9^th minute when he crashed the ball to the net after a counter attack that opened up the Ardfert defence.

Egan extended Ardfert’s lead before St Mary’s midfielder Denis Daly kicked the first of his impressive five point haul from play.  But Ardfert were not to be subdued and after a quick passing movement between Egan and Darren Wallace the unmarked Griffin palmed the ball to the net.

Daly responded once more for Mary’s from distance, a feature of his game, and with further scores from Sean Curnane, three frees, Daly and wing forward Aidan Walsh they led at the break by the minimum. 

With wind advantage Cournane converted from the restart before Egan levelled the scores for the third time.  St Mary’s knew that they were now in a real battle but full forward Daniel Daly and Cournane again responded and they looked like they now might start to pull away.

However, Ardfert, following a quickly taken free, caught St Mary’s napping and when Griffin fed Egan he finished to the net with ease.  Ardfert wingback Eoghan Courtney then galloped forward to extend their lead but after further points from play from Daly and Walsh the teams were tied again by the midpoint of the half.

Bryan Sheehan, who seemed to be carrying a hand injury in to the game, was subdued to this point but landed a trademark 45 metre free to tie up matters in the 51^st minute and the game was really now in the melting pot.

Egan continued to shine for Ardfert but further points from play from Daly and wing forward Paul O’Donoghue had St Mary’s ahead by the minimum by the 56^th minute.  But showing the heart and grit that has carried them to this title in recent years Ardfert rallied once more and had all the momentum when Griffin levelled matters from play in the 60^th minute.

And Man of the Match Egan struck the final blows to the St Mary’s challenge in injury time when he converted a late free and a peach from play to leave the home side and their supporters to celebrate a tremendous 2-15 to 1-16 victory.  St Mary’s day was further soured when wing forward Daly received his marching orders for a second yellow card in the final minute.

Victorious manager Stephen Wallace was fulsome in his praise for his team.  “It’s a fantastic result.  We were a team out of form, winless in the County League, but when our backs were to the wall we pulled out the result, full of heart”.  

 

Man of the Match: John Egan, Ardfert

Teams & Scorers:

Ardfert: Nicholas O’Sullivan, Trevor Wallace, Rory Horgan, Stephen Leen, Eoghan Courtney (1 pt), Darren Dineen, Iarla Courtney (1 pt), Fionan Mackessy, Kevin Shanahan, David Griffin (2 pts), Darren Wallace (c), Brandon Barrett, Shane Griffin (1 gl, 3 pts), Cian Hussey, John Egan (1 gl, 8 pts- 6 frees)

Substitutes: Bobby O’Regan for Cian Hussey

St Mary’s: Austin Constable, Ian Casey, Brian Curran, Darragh O’Sullivan, Daniel O’Sullivan, Conor O’Shea, Conor Quirke, Bryan Sheehan (1 free), Denis Daly (5 pts), Aidan Walsh (c)(2 pts), Niall O’Driscoll, Paul O’Donoghue (1 pt), Sean Curnane ( 5 pts- 4 frees), Daniel Daly (1 pt), Anthony Curnane (1 gl, 1 pt)

Substitutes: Liam O’Connell for Ian Casey

Referee: Padraig O’Sullivan, Firies