A day of days as the islanders celebrate hard-won promotion
THE evening of Saturday, July 14, was a very memorable one for the Valentia Young Islanders senior footballers who, as a result of defeating Asdee in the neutral venue of Keel, achieved promotion to Division Four.
Division Five was this year divided into two groups, with the top four from each group making the quarter-finals. Three teams were then promoted from the last-eight play-offs.
The Young Islanders had big support at this match in Keel, and supporters were very pleasantly surprised to see Brendan O’Sullivan lining out, a huge boost. The islanders, with plenty of vocal support from the stand, started well, and with Jim Lynch at wing-forward on the standside winning any early ball which came his way, they soon registered the points.
Paul O’Connor scored the first, followed by a point by Paul O’Sullivan and another by Paul O’Connor. Brendan O’Sullivan, after a good run, added a point of his own, and a John Shanahan free made it 0-5 to 0-0 in Valentia’s favour.
Darragh Keane opened the scoring for thenNorth Kerry side with a pointed free. John Shanahan added a point, and Asdee’s Paul O’Carroll pointed a free to reduce their arrears to three points.
John Shanahan added two more points, one from a free, and increased Valentia’s lead to five. At this point, a very good movement between the forwards ended with Jim Lynch smashing the ball low and hard to the net.
Brendan O’Sullivan, an eager beaver and full of running all through, added a fine point to leave the score at 1-9 to 0-4 at half time.
Three pointed frees by Darragh Keane were Asdee’s only second-half scores.
Valentia’s scores came from Brendan O’Sullivan (0-1), John Shanahan( 0-2, 0-1f ) and Andy Quigley (0-2).
Paul O’Sullivan was rampant at centre halfback for the Young Islanders, and John Curran was sound at full-back.
Corner-back John Lynch won vital possession and Ciarán O’Donoghue made a vital, timely interception.
Jim Lynch fielded the high ones ,and Brendan O’Sullivan’s strong running all though was hugely effective.
The last number of years have been extremely difficult for the beleaguered Valentia club, who have found it very difficult to field a first 15. As it stands, Richard Quigley, great and committed clubman that he is, plays in goal at the age of 51. He must surely be the oldest club player in Kerry. John Shanahan, David Hussey, Junior Murphy and John Daly are in their 40s and still keeping the flag flying for the Young Islanders.
The former Valentia player from Knightstown, now based in Dromid, Michael A O’Connell, was appointed as trainer at the start of the year. His football passion is infectious, and together with selectors Darby and Ger Lynch they have built a worthwhile panel from crumbs.
TEAM: Richard Quigley, John Lynch, John Curran, Concubhair Guiney, David Hussey, Paul O’Sullivan, Senan Lynch, Brendan O’Sullivan, Paul O’Connor, Andy Quigley, Rory Keating, Jim Lynch, Stephen Sheehan, John Shanahan, Junior Murphy. Subs introduced: Ger ‘ The Plumber’ O’Shea, John Daly, Darragh Murphy, Ciarán O’Donoghue.