NORTH KERRY GAA

Mairead O’Sullivan NORTH KERRY DIVISION 2 MINOR LEAGUE FINAL

Finuge 3-10 St Senans 3-07

BALLYLONGFORD was in pristine condition on Thursday evening last, as it hosted the Division 2 Final, between local rivals St Senans and Finuge.

St Senans were slight favourites coming into the game, having won the same fixture in the league phase, and were first on the scoreboard with a point from play in the first minute by Aodhan McKenna.

Liam O’Brien replied for Finuge from play in the 3rd minute to level matters before a lovely St Senans move saw Thomas Dillon’s shot brilliantly saved by Gavin Leen in the Finuge goals.

This sparked Finuge into life and they proceeded to dominate the remainder of the opening quarter, scoring 1-4 without reply. The goal came from a high diagonal ball from Evan McCarthy which found Darragh Mackessy who calmly finished low to the bottom right corner in the sixth minute.

The same player pointed a free in the 9th min and three further points from play from Liam O’Brien, Rory McAuliffe and Aodhan Shanahan put seven points between the sides.

St Senans brought on James Sheehan and Darragh O’Donoghue at this point and both players contributed well to their team’s cause. Denis Quille pointed a free after being fouled himself in the 16th minute but this was cancelled out by Evan McAuliffe in the 18th minute.

James Sheehan from play pointed for St Senans before Darragh Mackessy netted again for Finuge. Nine points separated the sides now but St Senans finished the half strongly with Darragh O’Donoghue goaling from the penalty spot and James Sheehan pointing again from play on the stroke of half-time to leave the score at Finuge 2-6 St Senans 1-4. Finuge were full value for their lead at the break after a spirited half notable however for seven wides to Senans’ one.

If the first half was dominated by Finuge, then the second half was all about St Senans. They valiantly went about trying to win the game and had three great goal chances in the first few minutes of the half being denied by the post and heroic defending.

Denis Quille pointed a free in the third minute before Darragh Mackessy did likewise from frees in the 8th and 11th minutes. James Sheehan pointed from play again in the 15th minute before Darragh Mackessy pointed another free in the 18th minute.

We were now into the final 10 minutes of the game and both sides were going for it, Finuge had goal chances too with a shot from Liam O’Brien, after a great run by Niall Cullen, slipping just wide and Eoin Relihan bringing off a great save from Rory McAuliffe, following great work by Daire Shannon.

It was Darragh O’Donoghue though who goaled again from the penalty spot in the 20th minute, followed by a point from a Denis Quille free. Darragh Mackessy pointed a free to put three points between the sides again entering the final few minutes.

It was frantic stuff at this stage and when St Senans were awarded another penalty in the 28th minute, the pressure on Darragh O’Donoghue was massive. Pressure is for tyres though and he blasted the ball straight down the middle to send the fine crowd into a frenzy.

It looked like we were heading for extra-time, but on the stroke of full time in the 30th minute Daire Shannon who was now playing in the middle of the field somehow managed to blast a shot to the net in a crowded goalmouth.

Time was up and referee Mike Joy, who had a fine game, blew the full-time whistle to the delight of the Finuge players,management and supporters. It was a very entertaining match and great credit to both teams.

Board Chairman, Johnny Stack said as much during the presentation,noting that both clubs were dual clubs and praised them for all their work and dedication to both codes.

He also thanked Con McCarthy, the sponsor, the referee and his officials, Ballylongford for their great facilities before presenting Finuge captain, Paul Stack,who led his team well all night, with the trophy.

FINUGE: 1)Gavin Leen 17) Rory Joy 2) Aidan O’Brien 3) Paul Stack(C) 5) David Brosnan 6) Daire Shannon (1-00) 7)Killian Doody 8)Colin Walz 9)Niall Cullen 20)Rory McAuliffe (0-01) 11)Liam O’Brien(0-02) 12)Aodhan Shanahan (0-01) 13)Darragh Mackessy (2-05) 14)Jacob Lucey 15) Evan McAuliffe (0-01) 16)Jamie O’Regan 18) Cillian Brophy 19)Daniel Walsh for David Brosnan(black card)

ST. SENANS: 1)Eoin Relihan 2)Liam Roos 3)Ryan McElligott 4)Daniel Hunt 5)David O’Connell 6)Aodhan Behan 7)Eamon Rohan 8)Cillian Trant 9)Aaron Smith 10) David Quinlan 11)Aodhan McKenna(0-01) 12)Thomas Dillon 13)Timmy Dillon 14) Denis Quille(0-03) 15)Sean McGrath 18)James Sheehan(0-03) 20)Darragh O’Donoghue(3-00)

REFEREE: Mike Joy

Kerry Minors

THE Kerry Minors quest for five in a row came to realisation on Sunday last as they overcome Galway in the All Ireland Final on a scoreline.

The North Kerry Football Board would like to congratulate all involved and especially those from the North Kerry District: Paul Walsh, Brosna and Jack Kennelly, Ballydonoghue. Additional Panel Players Jamie McVeigh, Listowel Emmets and Ethan Reidy, Castleisland Desmonds.

Draw

THE draw for the Bernard O’Callaghan Memorial Senior Football Championship took place on Friday evening last in McMunns Bar and Restaurant Ballybunion with a large crowd in attendance and the continuation of live streaming the awaiting audience added to the excitement on the night.

The Board would again live to thank our sponsors for their continued support of the North Kerry Football Board. Here are the draws for all our championships. The CCC will meet early this week and put dates on fixtures.

Bernard O’Callaghan Memorial Senior Championship

Sponsored by McMunns Bar and Restaurant Ballybunion

Round 1 Game

Home advantage for first drawn teams: Byes: Duagh & Brosna

Asdee v Finuge

Ballyduff v Beale

St Senans v Listowel Emmets Knocknagoshel v Desmonds Ballylongford v Tarbert

Moyvane v Ballydonoghue

Kieran Corridan Memorial Intermediate Cup

sponsored by South Of Ireland Waste Disposal Round 1 Game

Neutral venues

Byes: Desmonds B & Emmets B Tarbert B v St Senans B Ballydonoghue B v Moyvane B

Brendan Boyle Memorial Junior Cup

sponsored by Moloney, Mc Carthy & Associates Accountants & Tax Advisors Round 1 Games

Neutral venues extra time up to Semi Finals Byes: Beale B & Ballylongford B Clounmacon v Ballyduff B

Finuge B v Duagh B

Novice Cup

Semi Finals

Neutral Venues and Replay in event of draw Knockanure v Brosna B Ballydonoghue C v Emmets C

Bob Stack Memorial U21 Championship

sponsored by Dennehy Vetenary Clinic Duagh Preliminary Rd

Neutral venue and extra time Desmonds v Knocknagoshel/Brosna/Duagh Qauter Finals

Neutral venue and extra time

Winners v Finuge Ballydonoghue v Ballylongford/Asdee Beale v Moyvane/Tarbert

Emmets v St Senans

Jotty Holly Memorial Minor Championship

sponsored by O’Connors Hardware & Farm Supplies Duagh

Division 1

Neutral Venues

Extra time up to and including Semi Finals Preliminary Round

Emmets v Desmonds

Semi Finals

Winners v Finuge

Beale v Tarbert/Moyvane

Division 2

Neutral Venues

Extra time up to and including Semi Finals Preliminary Round Ballydonoghue v St Senans

Semi Final

Winners v Ballyduff Asdee/Ballylongford v Knocknagoshel/Brosna/ Duagh