County JFC: Listry claim final berth
COUNTY JFC SEMI-FINAL
Listry 1-9 Lispole 0-10
A NARROW and hard earned, if deserved win by Listry in the semi final of the County Junior Football Championship in Strand Road last Saturday afternoon over a Lispole combination who battled bravely throughout and looked at one stage in the second half as if they might push on and claim outright victory. However, the lack of a scoring spread cost them, being almost singularly dependant on Cathal O Sullivan for scores.
Listry were only marginally more efficient in this particular aspect, but they did create a lot more scoring opportunities, and indeed, in what was a pretty frantic finish they wasted quite a number of scoring chances from good positions. It looked as if it might ultimately cost them but two late points from Derry Aherne and Anthony Kennedy sealed the issue for them in the end.
Plenty of Championship fervour in evidence from the outset, and while the quality of the football fell short on occasion there was certainly no lack of passion or endeavour.
One point apiece after five minutes with Joe Clifford and Cathal O’Sullivan on target at opposite ends. Listry had the better of the chances early on, but, generally, both defences were in control at the outset of proceedings with Listry’s Danny Wrenn being particularly effective with a number of interceptions and clearances. Noel Higgins was also prominent for Lispole with some surging runs, one of which contributed to their second point, with Declan O’Sullivan who operated in the midfield area for most of the first half neatly converting the lead score after eleven minutes.
No quarter asked or given in what was a fiercely contested encounter throughout, and, two successive points from Damien Clifford and wing back Conor O Sullivan who was up in support of his attack meant that Listry were back in front 0-3 0-2 at the end of the opening quarter.
That lead was extended with further points from Derry Aherne, the first from a free, and another from play, when he side stepped his marker and applied a precision finish with the outside of his left boot.
In between Lispole had goal chances, being denied twice by some last gasp defending, and, having failed to capitalise with these opportunities Listry inflicted a major blow in the 20th minute when Joe Clifford finished clinically to the Lispole net, low across the face of the goal after some very good build up play which was initiated by the impressive Danny Wrenn. Six points between the teams 1-5 0-2 at this stage, it looked a long way back for Lispole at this particular juncture.
However, three unanswered points from Cathal O’Sullivan, two from play, at the end of some strong and purposeful running reduced the deficit to just a goal 1-5 0-5 at half time, with Lispole retiring for the break with a lot of momentum in their favour. With both sides adding two further points to their tallies that one goal margin still separated the sides at the end of the third quarter, 1-7 0-7.
Lispole, for a sustained period, pushed forward in waves of attacks, with substitute Matthew Sean Griffin making an impact and, scoring his side’s ninth point, which left just the bare minimum 1-7 0-9 between the sides.
Listry defended with a lot of discipline and determination effecting some very good turnovers, but failed to consolidate their lead, missing a number of clear cut chances at the other end. However, they benefited from the impact made off the bench by Aaron McCarthy, and, with the issue delicately poised Derry Aherne, nailed a beauty to give then some breathing space.
Declan O’Sullivan with a free once again reduced the margin to just a single point in added time, before Anthony Kennedy in pretty spectacular style split the posts with a volley off the ground to ensure that the East Kerry side will contest this season’s decider against Castlegregory.
On the basis of this display they’re going to be particularly difficult to beat, with one of their top players Gary O’Sullivan rediscovering his very best form having been absent for a prolonged period through injury. His leadership was very much in evidence in this particular encounter, and he is sure
LISTRY selector Brian McCarthy was pleased with many aspects of the performance, not least the input of some key individuals, and the impact made by players off the bench at a crucial period in proceedings.
“It was a tough struggle, I suppose we had a few opportunities towards the end but didn’t take them. A tough game all the way through, very tight. The goal was a good boost, it’s something we haven’t done all year, to convert goal chances. It made a massive difference in the end.
“We put in some great tackling in defence. We talked about it before the game, we talked about it at half time, the boys were very disciplined. I suppose from midfield back, even the half forward line, the effort that was put in was phenomenal.
“They had a twenty-one yard free in the last couple of minutes, we had opportunities to put the game to bed, we didn’t take them, and that’s the situation we found ourselves in. But we got through, and hopefully we will learn from it.
“We had a couple of boys struggling in the half back line, Cain Bradley, Paudie Lehane, were struggling with injuries. We brought in Kevin Courtney, Eoin (Darmody) and Aaron McCarthy up front and that made a massive difference. They made a great impact to be fair, and they’re possibly unlucky not to be starting, all three of them, but we have a good panel and hopefully it will see us through.
“(The final) is going to be another tough game, probably a physical game again, West Kerry teams play good football, are well able to play, we beat Lispole, we now have Castlegregory, so if we win it we are going to do it the hard way. Look, we are delighted to come out at the end of it today, and hopefully we can give it our best shot and that we will get over the line.”