Emmets dumped out by St Marys

Listowel Emmets 1-8 St. Mary’s 2-12

MUCH the better side for long periods, ultimately, St Mary’s had to dig deep to see off a spirited Listowel Emmet’s challenge before they eventually, quite deservedly, booked their place in the next round of the County Intermediate football Championship in Listowel last Sunday afternoon.

Going into the game it was anticipated that the contest might well result in a straight shoot out between Bryan Sheehan and Conor Cox, and while the Listowel sharpshooter ended up as his side’s scorer-in-chief, Caherciveen’s All Star midfielder didn’t feature as prominently in the scoring stakes, even if his input in all other facets of play was quite notable. In fact, the visitors scoring spread, which featured nine different scorers, was most significant to the outcome.

Cox pointed the locals into an early lead in the second minute, but two minutes later St Mary’s could well have had the game’s first goal when Denis Daly’s surging run through the heart of the Listowel defence afforded him the opportunity, but his effort was drilled low and narrowly wide of the post. With Daniel Daly prominent at full forward, St Mary’s dictated the early exchanges and were rewarded with a fine equalising score from Jack Daly in the fifth minute.

Bryan Sheehan’s industry in midfield ensured that his side’s momentum was maintained, but the encounter was still deadlocked on two points apiece after ten minutes.

With scores remaining very much at a premium the issue remained delicately poised, even if St Mary’s with Denis Daly influential in midfield and Jack Daly lively and inventive along the left flank continued to create most of the scoring opportunities. The influence of Team Manager Maurice Fitzgerald was certainly very much in evidence with the South Kerry side using lengthy kick passes to great effect.

Listowel were largely reduced to sporadic attacks, but, with Shane Quinn excelling in defence, and Cox contributing three of their four pointed frees they led by the bare minimum, 0-4 to 0-3, five minutes from the break.

The only goal of the first half materialised in the 28th minute when Daniel Daly’s shot for goal was denied by a leg block, and from the resultant penalty Bryan Sheehan produced an inch perfect finish. It afforded his side a 1-3 to 0-4 interval lead and it was a scoreline which probably reflected the first half exchanges.

Within twenty seconds of the restart they struck for a second goal when Bryan Sheehan’s shot for a score dropped short, was fielded by Sean Cournane on the edge of the small square, and he fed Niall O’Driscoll whose left footed finish was composed and clinical. A pointed free from Sean Cournane almost immediately pushed the visitors two goals clear, 2-4 to 0-4, and at that stage it looked a long road back for Listowel.

However their response was immediate and spirited with David Keane landing their first score from play. Sean Cournane with a similar effort quickly negatived this score at the other end, but Emmets had wind in their sails at this stage. Cox kicked his first from play, and when Noel Kennelly was grounded in the small square, Cox squeezed home the resultant penalty with Austin Constable barely denied having got a touch to the measured finish.

With just two points separating the teams, 2-5 to 1-6, and both David Keane and David Sheehy causing problems for St Mary’s rearguard unit the initiative was firmly back in favour of the home side.

St Mary’s needed to regain a grip on proceedings and it was Bryan Sheehan who picked up the pace and created the chance for Darren Casey to open up a 2-6 to 1-6 lead at the end of the third quarter. It sparked a period of

dominance by the visitors but they failed to fully capitalise with some very good scoring opportunities, kicking three successive wides.

Bryan Sheehan was by this stage imposing his presence in all quarters of the pitch, especially in defensive situations, and with his midfield partner Denis Daly also making a big impact, St Mary’s with Daniel O’Sullivan surging forward to good effect from wing back and Paul O’Donoghue linking the play quite efficiently on the forty, the visitors added three unanswered points to put themselves into a quite strong position once again with ten minutes remaining.

Listowel continued to pursue the issue with some intent but St Mary’s were committed, controlled, and compact in defence. Fitting that Denis Daly kicked his third point from play before the finish as he stood out as a player who was capable of lifting his side whenever the occasion demanded.

Listowel might well have had justifiable claims for another penalty in the latter stages of proceedings as indeed did St Mary’s also, but in the overall scheme of things, the Caherciveen team were a better balanced combination with more individual aces and largely looking like a side who are capable of making an impact in the competition.

LISTOWEL Emmets: Keith Hughes, Jamie Barry, Jack McGuire, Shane Quinn, Ger McCarthy, Denis Walsh, Cormac Mulvihill, Brendan Flavin, Micheal Lynch, David Keane (0-2), Darragh Leahy, Brian McGuire, David Sheehy, Noel Kennelly (01f), Conor Cox (1-5, 1-0 pen, 0-3f). Subs: Brian Sweeney for D Walsh, Jake Moriarty for D Leahy, Sean McCarthy for M Lynch, Rici Hanley for B Flavin.

ST MARY’S: Austin Constable, Conor O’Shea, Brian Curran, Ian Casey, Daniel O Sullivan, Darragh O’Sullivan (0-1), Conor Quirke, Bryan Sheehan (1-1, 1-0 pen), Denis Daly (0-3), Niall Driscoll (1-1), Paul O’Donoghue, Jack Daly (0-1), Sean Cournane (0-2, 1f), Daniel Daly (0-1), Darren Casey (0-1). Subs: Killian Nolan for I Casey (B/C), Anthony Cournane (0-1) for D Casey, Liam O’Connell for N O’Driscoll, Aidan O Sullivan for D O’Sullivan, Liam Sheehan for J Daly.

REFEREE: Jimmy O’Connor (Scartaglin)