Amber Galwey reports
CURROW lost out to St Michaels/Foilmore in the first round of the Kerry senior football championship on a final scoreline of 1-6 to 0-11 points in Currow on Saturday.
It was Currow’s first time competing in the senior championship as a club team following their Intermediate title victory last year and they found the first hurdle a little too difficult to negotiate.
That said, they looked to be the better side from the beginning but they suffered a blow early on when Padraig Ó’Sé was forced off due to injury.
Good defence saw Currow dominate proceedings and good work from the forwards, particularly Ian Somers, Dan O’Shea and Mike McCarthy, saw them put points on the board.
St Michaels/Foilmore were struggling early on, kicking several wides and not making use of possession but as the half progressed, Bernard Kelly and Damian Kelly looked impressive.
Determined defence from St Michaels/Foilmore saw them prevent two Currow goal opportunities. The visitors continued to up the pace and went ahead by two points but Currow were still the dominant team, having enjoyed most of the possession throughout the half.
At half time St Michaels/Foilmore led by a point, 0-6 to 0-5.
In the second half St Michaels/Foilmore made more of their chances, resulting in several important scores. Dan O’Shea was very strong for Currow and he found the back of the south Kerry side’s net to put his team ahead, much to the delight of the home supporters.
Currow’s keeper, Shane O’Leary, made two good saves but it was not enough to halt the visitors and St Michaels/Foilmore’s Bernard Kelly showed his skill when he slotted over points, pushing his side ahead once again.
Time was not on Currow’s side as they attempted to close the two-point gap. In the dying minutes Currow looked to be tiring and some poor passing resulted in them losing a lot of possession. Although they looked to be the better team throughout, Currow could not secure the vital scores they needed to be victorious and the game finished Currow 1-6, St Michaels/Foilmore 0-11.
Currow will play in round two next weekend and draw will take place on Monday night.
Scorers for Currow: Dan O’Shea 1-3, Mike McCarthy 0-1, Seamus Brosnan 0-1, John O’Connor 0-1.
Scorers for St Michaels/ Foilmore: Bernard Kelly 0-4, Damian Kelly 0-2, Sean O’Connor 0-2, Ronan O’Connor 0-2, Padraig King 0-1.
