An Ghaeltacht relegate the Rockies
DIVISION ONE
ONLY one place really to start and that is the game in Connolly Park where Austin Stacks’ relegation from the top flight for only the third time in their history coupled with An Ghaeltacht taking a massive step towards a place in the league final were both confirmed with a 3-8 to 1-9 win for the West Kerry side.
Dara Ó Sé’s goal before half-time was crucial in giving the visitors a lead of 1-4 to 0-5 at half-time and Ó Sé scored a second goal early in the second period (from a penalty) to push Stacks closer to the brink.
To their credit the hosts rallied with Shane O’Callaghan finding a goal and David Mannix, Sean Ryan and Daniel Bohan scoring points to level the game at 2-5 to 1-8, but An Ghaeltacht pushed on for victory with PJ Mac Láimh scoring their third goal for a 3-8 to 1-9 win.
A point against the side they will play in the Intermediate Semi-Final, St Marys, on the last day will put them in the league final, but Stacks go down to Division 2 much like they did in 2007.
Rathmore are the only side that can prevent a Dr Crokes v An Ghaeltacht final on the last day as their 3-11 to 0-16 win away to Glenbeigh / Glencar means that the All-Ireland Junior Club Champions are out of contention for making the decider with this loss.
The East Kerry side can only force a play-off for a place in the final if they beat Stacks on the last day and St Marys manage to beat An Ghaeltacht.
The Cahersiveen side certainly need the win for their situation as they lost at home to Kerins O’Rahillys by four points in a result that puts Strand Road in with a good chance of staying up on the last day. Tom Hoare scored 2-2 for the Tralee’s side in Con Keating Park as his first goal gave them a half-time lead of 1-7 to 0-7.
His second goal was part of a run of 1-5 without reply in the second period for the visitors as despite Paul O’Donoghue and Darragh O’Sullivan goals for St Marys late on, they only put a better complexion on a 2-16 to 2-12 defeat for their side.
John Mitchels drew away to Dingle meanwhile a result that gives them the iniative ahead of what could be a crunch encounter with Milltown/Castlemaine on the final day to see who stays up. They started well before a Brian O’Connell goal had Dingle back in touch before half-time in trailing by 0-9 to 1-4. The West Kerry side went ahead in the second period before Alan O’Donoghue scored a goal to draw Mitchels level at 1-11 apiece and although Dingle scored a further three points, Sean Moloney ensured the game finished in a draw (2-11 to 1-14) with the final score of the game, a goal.
Templenoe ensured another year in the top flight with a big win over already relegated Castleisland Desmonds by 25 points. The game was effectively over at half-time as the Kenmare District side led by 4-12 to 0-2, Teddy Doyle, Killian Spillane, Brian Crowley and Josh Crowley-Holland the goalscorers as a poor second-half saw them win eventually by 4-19 to 0-6.
Only one back game ahead of the final round and it’s a big one between Milltown / Castlemaine and Dr Crokes on Friday night, especially for the Mid Kerry side as they need to win to have a better chance of staying up on the last day while the Killarney side need only a point for home advantage in the league final.