EAST Kerry caused a major upset when they consigned local rivals Killarney Legion to the losers’ round after a pulsating Kerry senior football championship round one tie in Fitzgerald Stadium on Saturday night.
The lethal Mike Stam O’Donoghue was the main difference between the sides and he single-handedly tore through the Legion rearguard on several occasions to register the crucial scores on his side’s way to a three-point win.
In a tit-for-tat opening quarter, Legion had the slight edge and were 0-5 to 0-4 ahead after 10 minutes and they increased their advantage to three within five minutes as they began to take control in crucial areas.
With young Conor Keane displaying great accuracy, they were 0-9 to 0-6 ahead after 25 minutes when the opportunist Jonathan Lyne made a decisive breakthrough and finished to the net to give the town side a comfortable lead, which they increased to 1-12 to 0-6.
East Kerry battled back with great determination, however, and a fine goal from the ever-dangerous O’Donoghue had them right back in it just before the break.
Level
Points from Darragh Roche and O’Donoghue pulled East Kerry right back into the game and it left the scores level before the divisional side turned on the pressure – and the style – to go three clear, with O’Donoghue (two), Andrew Garnett and Fintan Coffey all finding the range.
A James O’Donoghue free started a Legion fightback and Mike O’Sullivan narrowed the gap further but big Mike Stam O’Donoghue and DJ O’Connor fired the Davy O’Donoghue trained East Kerry into the next round in a thrilling climax, their 1-19 to 1-16 victory breaking the hearts of Peter Keane’s Legion players in the process.
With 26 minutes gone in this exciting Garveys Supervalu senior football championship game at Fitzgerald Stadium, Legion seemed to be in the driving seat as they led their East Kerry neighbours by nine points and in truth they were full value for that lead. The Killarney side were dominating the game, were scoring at will from play and while East Kerry were glad that All Star James O’Donoghue was roaming far and wide, he was setting up chances for his inside teammates, especially Conor Keane who was rampant and who had helped himself to 5 points, 3 from play in that period. However, the whole complexion of the game changed in the final 3 minutes of the half with East Kerry cutting the deficit to 4 points by the interval and while Legion survived a storming third quarter by East Kerry the Divisional side finished stronger to set up a Round 3 place.
The first 10 minutes was full of open play and the sides had 3 points apiece on the board before Legion began to pull away with points from the likes of Jonathan Lyne and Billy McGuire and two fine scores from Conor Keane to leave the town side leading by 8 points to 5 at the end of the first quarter. Michael O’Donoghue and D.J. O’Connor were East Kerry’s lone dangermen up front but further points from Keane and James O’Donoghue followed by a goal by Billy McGuire after good work by O’Donoghue saw Legion lead by 1-12 to 0-6. Points by D.J. O’Connor, Jimmy O’Leary and Michael O’Donoghue seemed to be no more than token replies until O’Donoghue seized on a Legion mixup and struck powerfully to the net on the stroke of half time to leave his side just 4 points in arrears at the break, 1-13 to 1-9.
East Kerry had a let off right from the restart when Legion had two chances to put the ball in the net from a scramble in the square but desperate defending by goalkeeper and backs kept them at bay. It was the turning point of the game as East Kerry, with Jack Sherwood and Michael O’Donoghue outstanding, went on to dominate the third quarter scoring 7 points without reply including a couple of fine efforts from O’Donoghue and Dara Roche, and East Kerry led by 1-16 to 1-13 at the three quarter stage. Legion, upped their game however and were level inside the next 8 minutes courtesy of good scores from James O’Donoghue, Kevin Breen and Michael O’Sullivan to tie the game with 6 minutes remaining., but D.J. O’Connor had left them off the hook with a glaring miss from a great position in the 22nd minute.
Andrew Garnett restored East Kerry’s lead from 50 yards and after James O’Donoghue hit the post for Legion, the winners broke away for the insurance score from Dara Roche with D.J. O’Connor’s point at the death ensuring victory.
East Kerry: Colin Myres, (Fossa), Shane Lynch (Spa), Matthew Culloty (Glenflesk), Michael Murphy (Gneevegullia), Donal O’Sullivan (Glenfesk), Jack Sherwood (Firies), Cian Horan (Glenflesk), Andrew Garnett (Spa) Jimmy O’Leary (Listry), Derry Aherne (Listry), Jeff O’Donoghue, (Glenflesk), Fintan Coffey (Fossa), Dara Roche (Glenflesk), Michael O’Donoghue (Spa), DJ O’Connor (Gneeveguillia). Subs: Mike Finnegan for Culloty and Eoin Lawlor for Aherne.
Legion: Brian Kelly, Podge O’Connor, Derek Pyne, Andy O’Sullivan, Danny Sheahan, Damien O’Sullivan, Chris Davies, Shaun Keane, Kevin Breen, Billy McGuire, Thomas Moriarty, Jonathon Lyne, James O’Donoghue, Mike O’Sullivan, Conor Keane. Subs: Tom Slattery for Andy O’Sullivan, Jack O’Neill for Pyne, David O’Sullivan for Moriarty.
In the other Saturday night game, Currow were outpointed and outsmarted by St Michael’s Foilmore in their first round clash, with the south Kerry side firing five late unanswered points to register a 0-11 to 1-6 win. A Dan O’Shea goal early in the second half gave Currow a real lift but they failed to capitalise and the chance of advancing was lost.
Withdrawal
In a surprise development, Kenmare conceded to Dingle in their opening round clash and the circumstances of the withdrawal will now be investigated by the county board.
On Sunday there is a big double header in Listowel where Shannon Rangers entertain Kilcummin (2pm) and Feale Rangers take on last year’s beaten finalists, Austin Stacks (3.30pm).
St Kierans, who have brought in Denny Long as manager this year, will take on Mid Kerry in Castleisland; South Kerry and Kerins O’Rahillys meet in Caherciveen and, of course, four-in-a-row champions Dr Crokes travel to Rathmore with the throw-in timed for 6.30pm.
