Asdee provide shock of the day to beat Beale

Asdee 2-6 Beale 1-8

PROBABLY one of the biggest shocks of the weekend but it was one that was well deserved by Asdee as they sent the tournament favourites packing at the very first hurdle.

Two divisions separate both sides this year but the beauty of championship proved once again how much of a level playing field can be created when the ball is thrown in.

Beale had made the more encouraging start, scoring the first 1-2 without reply as James McMahon found the net from close range but seven wides in the opening 14 minutes was a more worrying trend for the North Kerry champions.

Mike Breen set up Darren Russell for Asdee’s first score from a goal two minutes later to get the home side going and then three points from Eoin Kennedy was followed by a second goal from Breen in the 24th minute to give Asdee a 2-4 to 1-3 lead at the break.

The visitors were sharper after the restart, Declan Bambury and Ger Gorman bringing them within one of the hosts but a big point from Eoin Kennedy in the 44th minute showed that Asdee were not going to wilt that easily.

Kennedy scored what was Asdee’s final point soon afterwards (1-6 in total on the day for the former Kerry Minor) as Michael Tydings made a big defensive block to stop Daniel Ellis scoring a second goal for Beale. Asdee led by two points coming towards the final whistle, Gorman put over a free to leave one between the sides.

Frustration soon got the better of Beale in terms of trying to make amends as Gorman was dismissed prior to the final whistle as mattered boiled over somewhat between both sides.

Two late frees were missed by the visitors but Asdee were totally deserving of their victory for their heart and determination alone.