On song O’Riordan fires Rathmore to Division 1 win

EAST KERRY JUNIOR LEAGUE DIVISION 1 FINAL

THE Kerry Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre sponsored Junior League Final Division 1, played at Kilcummin last Tuesday, resulted in a win for a well marshalled Rathmore outfit.

Dr Crokes’ inaccuracy in front of goals, which led to eleven wides, contributed to their defeat. But they faced a Rathmore team that performed better as a unit and took every chance on offer, registering just three wides for the hour.

Stephen Lehane and Sean O’Riordan had two early Rathmore points before Brian O’Shea opened the Dr Crokes scoring after fourteen minutes. O’Riordan and Keith O’Leary swapped points before Keith McMahon hit over one of the scores of the game from all of 50 metres out to level the game at 0-3 apiece after twenty minutes.

However, the remainder of the half belonged to Rathmore as they fired over a further six points to Dr Crokes two – top scorer Michael O’Riordan (0-4), Colm Kelly and Brian Moynihan (0-1 each) for the winners with Shane Doolin and Brian O’Shea responding for Dr Crokes. Half-time Rathmore 0-9 Dr Crokes 0-5.

On the resumption, Brian O’Shea and Cillian O’Regan added points for Dr Crokes but with Brian Moynihan and John Hickey dominating midfield, Rathmore increased the margin to six points after seven minutes – Colm Kelly, Brian Moynihan, Michael O’Riordan and John Hickey adding the Rathmore points – 0-13 to 0-7.

Dr Crokes staged a late comeback with points from Brian O’Shea (0-3), Keith O’Leary and Mark Egan while Brian O’Leary kept the scoreboard ticking over with a Rathmore point to leave the score 0-14 to 0-11 as the final whistle loomed.

Rathmore’s Shane Reen had the last score of the game to leave Rathmore winners of the James Doyle Memorial Cup on a final score of Rathmore 0-15 Dr Crokes 0-11.

East Kerry Committee vice-chairman, Johnny Brosnan, congratulated the teams and thanked referee John Dineen and his officials.

Joan Doyle presented the James Doyle Memorial Cup to Rathmore captain Tadgh Moynihan. FAHA NS skills team (Micheal Keane, James O’ Dowd, Aaron O’Shea) took part in the Munster Primary Schools team event in Mallow.

The standard on the day was excellent with all county skills winners teams present. The format of the event was three scores to count with the East Kerry boys finishing the day as Munster Champions, a credit to all concerned.