Na Gaeil hold Clifford to make sure of final berth for second time in three seasons
COUNTY PJFC SEMI-FINAL
Na Gaeil 2-14 Fossa 0-11
AFTER falling at this stage of the competition last year to another East Kerry side in Firies, it would’ve been understandable if Na Gaeil felt a sense of relief at getting past another Division 4 side in Fossa last Sunday afternoon.
There wasn’t a lot in it last Sunday for three-quarters of proceedings, but the Tralee side’s two goals in quick succession were the platform for them to go on and win by nine points. Indeed this time they were the side to hit the all-important goals as opposed to being hit by them last year as they were with Firies.
Fossa were more than game last Sunday, but what they found was Na Gaeil had a plan to marshal David Clifford effectively with a solitary point with the outside of his left boot in the 24th minute the only score the Kerry senior panellist registered last Sunday.
Clifford was blocked on three occasions in trying to steal in for a goal. Stefan Okunbar (whose red card from last week against Finuge was rescinded allowing him to play) blocked him twice in the first period as he led the defensive shield against Clifford who was dismissed late on for a second yellow card after a skirmish which saw four players, two from each side, pick up yellows.
Seamus Moynihan expressed his disappointment at the final whistle feeling Fossa didn’t do themselves justice on the day.
“It didn’t happen for us and we didn’t get our key men into the game the way we wanted to. We’re very disappointed that a point we felt was clearly over wasn’t given, but I think after David’s [Clifford] third goal chance was stopped and they went down the other end and scored those two goals the heart seemed to go out of us.
“This is the nature of sport and we wish Na Gaeil well from here but our priority for the rest of the year has to be to get ourselves into Division Three in the County League.”
The disallowed score that
THE GAME IN 60 SECONDS
MAIN MAN
Lot of impressive performers for Na Gaeil in their win with Andrew Barry and Diarmuid O’Connor showing a lot of their promise from the Kerry minors, but Diarmuid Herlihy was a massive influence on the game not just in scoring 1-3 but also creating other scoring opportunities.
KEY MOMENT
Na Gaeil’s two goals in quick succession. The tighter Fossa kept in on the scoreboard they might have pulled off a massive win but the game was decided by both Dara Devine and Herlihy finding the net to make sure the Tralee side could live up to expectations of them making the decider.
TALKING POINT
Fossa and Churchill were not daunted by their more vaunted opposition in the semi-finals as the weekend proved but it is the Beaufort versus Na Gaeil decider many thought might come to pass this year if they avoided each other. Credit to Cordal for their hosting of the game last Sunday at an advanced stage with a public address in use for spectators.
Moynihan was referring to came just shy of 10 minutes into the second half when Paudie Clifford’s effort wasn’t awarded despite consultation between referee Jonathon Griffin, his linesman and umpires.
Overall Fossa were chasing a three-point deficit for most of proceedings having led for only the second time in proceedings 0-3 to 0-2 after 13 minutes. Na Gaeil went ahead thanks to a fine Andrew Barry effort from distance as he judged the breeze perfectly in going ahead three minutes later with a 0-9 to 0-6 advantage for the Tralee side at the interval.
Dara Devine put Na Gaeil four ahead in the second period but two Paudie Clifford points (out of a total of three in the second period) had Fossa well in contention at 0-11 to 0-9 on the three-quarter mark.
Then came 2-1 without reply by Na Gaeil to put the contest to bed. Jack Barry went on a strong solo run for the point before in the 49th minute Diarmuid Herlihy passed the ball across the face of the goalmouth for Devine to fist home for their first goal.
Herlihy was the finisher for their second soon after, Kieran O’Donovan the provider on this occasion as with a double score advantage at 2-12 to 0-9, Na Gaeil could start to think about a second Premier Junior Final in three years.
Colin Myers denied substitute Seamie O’Neill another pop at goal from close range late on but the game was well gone for the East Kerry side before David Clifford’s dismissal in injury time.
Matthew Rennie picking up an injury early on was a setback for Fossa, but they are a side with the potential to mount a serious challenge for this honour in future years with the experience they are gaining of matches at this level. NA GAEIL: Timmy Culloty; Ryan O’Neill, Kieran Dineen, Stefan Okunbar; Fergal Barry, Andrew Barry (0-1), Eoin Doody; Jack Barry (0-1), Dan O’Connor; Diarmuid O’Connor (0-2), Ian McCarthy (0-1), Eoin O’Neill; Kieran Donovan (0-1), Dan Devine (1-5, 4f), Diarmuid Herlihy (1-3) Subs: Eoghan Sheehy for Ryan O’Neill, Eoin Walsh for Fergal Barry, Dan Goggin for McCarthy, Padraig O’Sullivan for Doody and Seamie O’Neill for O’Donovan.
FOSSA: Colin Myers; Damien Dennehy, Matthew Rennie, Anthony Wharton; Derry O’Sullivan, Mark Dennehy, Kevin O’Sullivan; Fintan Coffey, Paudie Clifford (0-3, 1f, 1 ‘45’); Kevin McCarthy, Mikey O’Shea, Daniel O’Connell; David Clifford (0-1), Tadhg O’Shea (0-4, 3f), Domhnaill O’Sullivan (0-3, 2f) Subs: Cian O’Shea for Rennie, Paddy Sheehan for McCarthy and Chris Myers for O’Sullivan
REFEREE: Jonathan Griffin (Glenbeigh / Glencar)