Mid Kerry edge out St Brendans in Shield

PLATE SEMI-FINAL

Mid Kerry 4-12 St. Brendans 4-10

ST Brendans kicked into top gear straight away, Jack Sheehan goaling right from the throw-in and Nathan Driscoll adding a superbly struck penalty shortly after.

Jack O’Connor and Roan Moriarty, both of whom impressed, managed to keep Mid Kerry in touch, but Enda O’Connor and Fergal O’Brien maintaining the upper hand for St. Brendans, they had a deserved 2-5 to 0-6 lead by the time John Ross sounded the short whistle.

The weather, never condusive to great football, worsened during the second half. Shane Daly in the Brendans’ goal did brilliantly to block what looked like a certain goal, but was helpless as Rian O’Donovan reacted sharply to put the rebound into the net.

Shane Doona followed up with a great point and Mid Kerry were back in the game, 2-5 to 1-7. A Jack O’Connor goal put Mid Kerry into the lead for the first time. An undaunted St. Brendans, inspired by Nathan O’Driscoll in particular, nudged back in front by two points.

They were rocked on their heels though when first Sean O’Brien and then Jack O’Connor found the net in quick succession. Both sides gave everything in the dying minutes as St. Brendans rallied magnificently, but when Shane Doona drained a stupendous long range free, it was enough to see Mid Kerry over the finishing line after a thriller.