THE O’Donoghue Cup first round clash between Spa and Glenflesk at the weekend doubled up as the East Kerry Senior League Division 1 final and, at the close of a gripping encounter, it was Spa that brought home the silverware in the form of the Jimmy Fleming Cup.
Glenflesk were first off the mark with two quick points from wing forward Patrick D’Arcy but Evan Cronin and David Spillane levelled the game and Michael O’Donoghue tapped over two close range frees for Spa before a Darragh Roche point made it 0-4 to 0-3 at the end of the first quarter.
Spa increased their advantage with more points from Evan Cronin and Michael O’Donoghue (two) before Darragh Roche replied for Glenflesk to make it 0-7 to 0-4. Scores from David Spillane and Michael O’Donoghue soon made it 0-9 to 0-4 before Darragh Roche was on target again for the home side.
A Liam Kearney point for Spa made it 0-10 to 0-6 at the half time break.
Right from the throw in Glenflesk were attacking again and, within seconds, Darragh Roche rattled the net. Dara Fleming followed up with a point for Glenflesk and just four minutes into the second half and the sides were level at 0-10 to 1-7.
Evan Cronin edged Spa in front but Jeff O’Donoghue levelled before another point from Patrick D’Arcy put the home side ahead. Niall McCarthy and D’Arcy exchanged points before substitute Ryan O’Carroll’s effort was on target for Spa, and the game was level yet again at 0-13 to 1-10.
At this stage the game looked like it could go either way but Darragh Roche, with two, gave Glenflesk the advantage at 1-12 to 0-13 with less than 10 minutes on the clock. Evan Cronin clawed one back for Spa and Niall O’Mahony kicked the equaliser to leave it 0-15 to 1-12 with five minutes remaining.
A great score by Evan Cronin had Spa leading by just one and, with a few minutes of injury time to be played, it looked like extra time could be on the cards. Deep in added time Glenflesk had a free to equaliser but it tipped off the outside of the post and back into play, but to Spa’s relief the last kick went right and wide. The final score was Spa 0-16 Glenflesk 1-12.
After the game Jemma Fleming was on hand with East Kerry Chairman Johnny Brosnan and sponsor Frank Doran to present the Jimmy Fleming Cup to Spa captain Michael O’Donoghue.
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