Skelliga boost their title prospects with win over Ardfert
DENNY DIVISION 1A
Athletico Ardfert 3 Skeliga FC 5
THIS game was between two sides that have league title aspirations and it turned out to be a highly entertaining encounter at Mounthawk Park on Friday night with Skeliga taking the three points in a high scoring game.
It was an evening when Ardfert could not cope with the silken skills, pace and talent of Skeliga striker Anthony Cournane who scored four of his side’s goals to cap a marvellous individual performance.
It was the first game of the new season for Athletico Ardfert and while they showed some rustiness early on they grew in stature as the game progressed.
After losing their last league outing heavily to Inter Kenmare it was a game Skeliga wanted to win to steady the ship and keep them in touch with the other contenders in the division.
While Skeliga won comfortably at the end Ardfert made them fight very hard for their win and but for poor finishing and the concession of a couple of soft goals it could have been much closer at the end.
Skeliga looked comfotable 2-0 ahead at half time and when they scored again 7 minutes into the second half they appeared to be home and dry.
However Ardfert fought back admirably and when they scored a brace of goals suddenly Skelga were feeling the pressure. The South Kerry side moved up a gear after that and won comfortably at the end.
Ardfert started on the front foot with Daithi Griffin and Tom Maloney having chances which they failed to convert while Bobby O’Regan was denied by a great save by the Skeliga goalie Jordan O’Sullvan.
Skeliga went ahead in the 20th title minute with a superb goal. Jason Stapleton won the ball and sent an accurately measured cross field ball to Ian Moriarty just outside the box and his delightfully struck volley with the outside of his right foot gave the Ardfert goalie no chance.
They doubled their lead 5 minutes later from an Anthony Cournane free kick 5 yards outside the box which the Ardfert goalie seemed to have saved but the wet ball slipped from his hands and went over the goal line
Ardfert did have the ball in the net in the 35th minute but Bobby O’Regan was deemed to be in an offside position.
Ardfert had a few chances before half time but efforts from Tom Maloney, Trevor Wallace and Daithi Griffin failed to test the Skeliga keeper.
Skeliga seemed to have this game wrapped up 7 minutes into the second half when they scored their third goal.
Ronan McCarthy and Kealon Moriarty linked up at midfield to set up Anthony Cournane and he applied a great finish.
Then Ardfert forced two corner kicks and from the second which was taken by Bobby O’Regan, Trever Wallace stole a march on defenders and headed powerfully to the net.
They pressed hard for a second goal but Bobby O’Regan was denied by a great save by the Skeliga keeper Jordan O’Sullivan.
The game was thrown wide open in the 72nd minute after a swift Ardfert attack a Daithie Griffin shot was deemed to be handled by a Skeliga defender and referee Tom O’Sullivan pointed to the spot.
Tom Moloney drilled the spot kick straight down the middle with the keeper gone the wrong way and now the game was in the melting pot.
However any chance Ardfert had of obtaining an equaliser went out the window 2 minutes later when Skeliga hit on the break with Anthony Cournane cutting into the box at an angle and his shot went in off a defender.
The goal of the game came in the 82nd minute in a lightening counter attack the man of the match Anthony Cournane picked up the ball deep in his own half and he took off like a locomotive express leaving everyone in his wake he waltzed past the keeper and squeezed the ball in from a very tight angle.
With time almost up Ardfert scored after a comedy of errors at the back for Skeliga Gary Hogan hammered the ball to the net from six yards.
ATHLETICO ARDFERT: Mikey O’Sullivan, Cillian Woulfe, Darragh O’Shea, Gary Hogan, Eoin McCarthy, Daithi Griffin, Kieran Carmody, Jack McCarthy, Trevor Wallace, Tom Maloney, Bobby O’Regan.
SKELIGA FC: Jordan O’Sullivan, Jason O’Sullivan, Noel Cournane, Stevie Boyle, Barry O’Sullivan, Kealan Moriarty, Ronan McCarthy, Ian Moriarty, Niall Brennan, Anthony Cournane, Jimmy Stapleton.
REFEREE: Tom O’Sullivan