Injury-time goal hands Gneeveguilla huge win in Tarbert

DIVISION 4

EAST Kerry dominates at the top of the table with Gneeveguilla, Fossa and Firies all in strong contention for promotion as Gneeveguilla’s hold of top spot was maintained in quite dramatic circumstances away to Tarbert on Sunday. A goal in injury-time gave them the match win by 1-16 to 3-9 as three goals for the hosts were not enough for them to come out on top. Tarbert had scored a goal in first half injury time themselves to take a lead a 1-7 to 0-9 at the break but the visitors ability to take their points proved crucial in determining the eventual outcome as Ger O’Sullivan was sent off for the hosts.

They face a big encounter with the side they share third place in the table with at present in Fossa, especially after Fossa pulverised Ballylongford on home turf by 5-19 to 0-8. Paudie Clifford set up Tadgh O’Shea for a goal in the first period that gave the hosts a lead of 1-9 to 0-3 before he scored their second goal in the second period to end the game as a contest. O’Shea scored a second goal for himself as Chris Myers and Lorcan Daly also goaled in a 26-point win as the North Kerry side remain in the relegation zone. Firies are second outright meanwhile after a four point victory away to Castlegregory as two goals at opportune times were key to them getting the better of the hosts.

Padraig De Brún and Donnachadh O’Sullivan had them 0-5 to 0-2 ahead early on but it was a route one goal before the break that was a big factor in them leading by 1-8 to 0-5 at half-time. The visitors were still ahead by six points 10 minutes after the restart but a penalty by Alan Fitzgerald seemed to reinvigorate Castle as they scored their own goal by route one means through Maurice Slattery to level the game up. De Brún restored Firies’ lead however before Jack Sherwood scored the goal that settled the game in their favour at 2-15 to 2-11. The result is a setback to Castle’s promotion hopes but the one consolation for them is that St Michaels/Foilmore didn’t make any progress themselves with a one point defeat to Renard in a South Kerry derby.

The hosts led the former All-Ireland Intermediate Club Champions by two points at the break, 0-7 to 0-5, as a Mark Sugrue goal in the 41st minute put Renard in a strong position leading by 1-8 to 0-6. St Michaels/Foilmore were back in it thanks to a goal by substitute Sean Scanlon five minutes later but despite some strong pressure from the visitors, Renard held on for a 1-11 to 1-10 win that pulls them clear of the relegation zone for the time being. Beale also are clear of the relegation zone for the moment after a two point win at home to Cromane with the Mid Kerry side remaining bottom of the table on a solitary point. The Ballybunion side scored three goals in the first period for a lead of 3-5 to 1-5 but it was a penalty save by goalkeeper Sean Dee that was crucial to them having that six point advantage at the break.

They took 20 minutes to score in the second period as well but despite only took second-half scores they had a win of 3-7 to 1-11 that puts them on six points. The other games played was a 1-10 apiece draw between Cordal and Skellig Rangers probably more beneficial to hosts in staying two clear of the relegation zone with Skellig third from bottom on three points. They need something from the trip of Castlegregory to Portmagee this weekend as Cordal have home advantage once more against Ballylongford, one that could have a big say in how they will fare heading into the final four rounds. Cromane travel to Firies with a result most definitely needed but not likely to be easy given Firies’ promotion ambitions.

Gneeveguilla and St Michaels/Foilmore meet 10 years after contesting an Intermediate Final against each other while Beale and Renard will view their own meeting as a big chance to move towards safety from the relegation battle.