Fossa News
Compiled by John O’Neill
ON Sunday evening Fossa’s under 14 boys took to the field in Fitzgerald Stadium to take on Kilcummin in the East Kerry Division 3 League final.
Fossa started against a stiff breeze and Kilcummin had the better of the play in the first quarter. An early goal for Kilcummin was followed by a point from Emmet O’Shea after a foul on Emmet Cronin. A second goal for Kilcummin, from the penalty spot, that gave Dean Sheehan no chance, was followed by points from Rory Doyle and Jack Clifford.
Another two points to Kilcummin left Fossa trailing by two goals after 20 minutes and Kilcummin looked in control at this stage. Before the half ended, however, the game was turned on its head. Kilcummin were caught off guard, when a 20m free was sent to the roof of the net by Emmett O’Shea and Jack Clifford added another point minutes after.
Almost immediately a strong run through the centre by Emmett O’Shea led to a chance for Rossa Bellew who finished expertly to the net. At half time Fossa went into the dressing room leading on the scoreline of 2-4 to 2-3.
In the second half Fossa had the aid of the strong breeze and dominated the play. The defence were now well on top with Joe Cahillane tackling like a demon and Cian Doyle playing superbly in the other corner. Evan Mannix, at full back, improved as the game went on and finished very strong, controlling the play in the danger zone and put in some very important tackles.
The two wing backs, Cathal Whelton and Eoin Myers had their best games of the year so far, full of energy and smart passing. Rory Doyle mopped up at centre back. In midfield the Talbot cousins were very impressive and drove forward and tackled hard. Padraic Talbot fielded some fine ball and Colm was the best midfielder on show.
The Fossa forwards were full of running, Emmett O’Shea added three more goals in the second half and finished with an impressive personal tally of 4-5, with one of his points scored from a free all of 50m out.
Harry Buckley was, yet again, impressive in his role and was constantly on the ball, playing clever in linking play from back to front. He was awesome all day.
Jack Clifford was full of running and excellent at wing forward. Rossa Bellew scored two excellent second half points to add to his first half goal. Darren Cronin fielded some fine ball at full forward and was a handful all evening. Emmet Cronin had a fine game in the first half and his replacement Conor Horgan kicked an excellent point and unlucky not to have a few goals on the day.
Mark McGlynn, Simon Coffey, Jackson O’Mahony, Harry Kelly, Sean Dineen and James O’Shaughnessy all came on towards the end and made some excellent contributions to a fine team performance.
Dean Sheehan played the first half in goals and Rory Coughlan played the second half, the highlight of which was a brilliant penalty save late in the second half.
Fossa eventually ran out winners on a scoreline of 5-11 to 2-07.
Captain Colm Talbot received the trophy from the East Kerry Board na nÓg Chairman and was impressive in his acceptance speech, thanking East Kerry Board for giving all these young players the chance to play in Fitzgerald Stadium and Tom Moriarty, the referee.
A big thank you also to the Fossa club who arranged a great meal in The Valley after the game for the team and mentors.
Seniors: The Fossa seniors played Scartaglin in the Bill Tangney Cup quarter-final in Fossa. The first half was one-way traffic with Fossa controlling possession and this allowed Tadgh O’Shea to kick three quick points before Padraig Devane won a penalty in the 12th minute which Tadgh O’Shea converted.
Kevin McCarthy and Michael O’Keeffe added two further points and, in the 28th minute, Padraig Devane cracked home a goal which was richly deserved. Mossie Prendeville pulled off a brilliant save in the closing minutes of the half to deny Scartaglin a certain goal. Fossa lead at the break, 2-7 to 0-1.
The second half came to life as Scartaglin roared back into the game with a penalty from Padraig Reen, Donald O’Sullivan scored a penalty for Fossa before Padraig Reen got his second for Scart in the 15h minute.
Fossa settled again and gradually took control with points from Michael O’Keeffe, Donald O’Sullivan, Padraig Devane and Killian Bellew to leave them comfortable winners on a score of 3-13 to 2-4.
This was a good performance and it was great to see some of the young players really impressing. Mossie Prendeville was coolness personified in goal, Francis Moran, Brian Myers and Colm Walsh were excellent at the back, the returning Killian Bellew worked very hard at centre field and finished with two points to his name while Padraig Devane was brilliant at full forward and was involved in practically every score of the game.
Tadgh O’Shea lead the way with another fine performance, Michael O’Keeffe covered every blade of grass while Kenneth Clifford and Damien Dennehy worked extremely hard and lead the younger players by example.
League: The seniors had a tough County League Division 4 trip away to Moyvane on Saturday evening in Round 8 of the County league. This was always going to be a big test and so it proved in the first half with Moyvane playing with a packed defence which made scores hard to come by.
Paudie Clifford opened the scoring with a point and it took 10 more minutes for Fossa to register another score. Tadgh O’Shea, Donald O’ Sullivan and Paudie Clifford hit three unanswered point in a three minute period and Tadgh kicked two excellent frees before half time to leave the bare minimum between them at the break, Fossa 0-7, Moyvane 0-6.
Fossa started the second half with great intent, they simply blitzed Moyvane in the the opening 10minutes. Daniel O’ Keeffe started the ball rolling with a point in the second minute, Paudie Clifford, Daniel O’Connell and two Donald O Sullivan points had Fossa six points up inside seven minutes of the half.
Then the outstanding Paudie Clifford cracked home a goal followed by two more Donald O’Sullivan frees to really take control of the game.
Moyvane did pull a goal back from the penalty spot on the 18th minute but Fossa closed out the game with points from Fintan Coffey and Keneth Clifford to leave them winners , 1-16 to 1-8.
This was another solid display with the focus always on gaining promotion to Division 3 for next year. They have maintained their 100 per cent record and will play Skellig Rangers and Na Gael, who are all top of the table contenders in the final two rounds. It should make for a very exciting finish to what has been an extremely successful year so far.
Minors: The Minors played Kilcummin in the East Kerry League on Thursday evening, Kilcummin scored a goal with their first attack of the game but Fossa settled with points from Liam Buckley, Ryan Sheehan and Eamonn Murphy.
Kilcummin were always dangerous on the break and were accurate from distance but a free from Liam Buckley and another point from Ryan Sheehan kept Fossa in touch at half time when they trailed 1-6 to 0-5.
Again Kilcummin scored a goal early in the second half but Fossa hit back with a great goal from Conor Murphy who had moved into full forward. This was followed by two points from Eamonn Murphy and another from Liam Buckley. However, Kilcummin struck for two quick goals which put the game beyond Fossa. We did have a couple of chances with a penalty being saved by the Kilcummin goalkeeper and we also hit the post, on another night these would have gone in and the outcome would have been very different.
The Fossa boys played very well and deserved more from this game, Alec Rennie did well in goal, Anthony O’Keeffe is a very tenacious and talented defender, Daniel Talbot is teak tough and gave nothing away easy, Killian Rice made several forays forward to support the attack, Eoin and John Talbot cut out Kilcummin attacks time and again, Conor Murphy caught some great ball all throughout the game and was a constant threat, Cian O Shea worked hard at midfield, Ryan Sheehan was very dangerous going forward and took his scores well.
Liam Buckley and Eamonn Murphy are very skillful and accurate forwards who will always pose a danger, Lee Lenihan was very unlucky not to hit the back of the net and, with his height and ball-winning ability, Padraig Burke causes problems no matter where he plays.
Under 16: Fossa’s Under 16 boys took on Ballymac in round 2 of the County League to bounce back from a poor first round defeat to the hands of Na Gael. The team started brightly with sharp movement between the forwards leading to some early scores. 2-2 from Emmet O’Shea gave Fossa a half time lead of five points.
A determined Fossa tightened up along the back line and with some slick counter attacking from Cian O’Shea, Eoin Talbot, Rory Doyle and Eamon Murphy Fossa extended their lead with some early scores.
In the end the determination of the team shone through and Fossa ran out comfortable winners on a score line of 6-12 to 1-10. On the evening it would be unfair to single out individuals as it was an all round team performance which saw the team through.
David: Fossa GAA wishes the best of luck to David Clifford who lines out for the Kerry minor team next Sunday against Derry in Croke Park in the All-Ireland quarter-final at 12pm. We also would like to wish the Kerry senior team all the best against Clare in their clash at 2pm. Hopefully we will have double celebrations on the day.
Under 13: The Fossa Under 13 girls who had good first outing tonight in the championship overcoming a very talented John Mitchels side. The Fossa girls have secured a semi final against Milltown/Listry next Tuesday evening in Fossa.
Ladies: The best of luck to Anna O’Reilly, Erica McGlynn and Anna Clifford who are part of the Kerry Under 16 team aiming to retain their All-Ireland crown against Dublin on Wednesday evening. This is a serious team and it will take a very good side to dethrone them and we wish them all the best.
Lotto: The weekend lotto numbers drawn were 4, 5, 20 and 23. There was no jackpot winner and the €40 consolation prize winners were Sarah Coffey, Barleymount; Denise Myers, Barleymount; Sean Landers, c/o Kaynes; Padraig Casey, Faha and Susanne Russell, Gortroe. Next week’s jackpot will be €9,000.
KillarneyToday.com: it’s the talk of the town
