The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
St Marys stay top of Two after derby win over St Michaels/Foilmore
DIVISION TWO
A 13-point victory over St Michaels/ Foilmore in a South Kerry derby was enough to keep St Marys at the top of the table. However the other South Kerry side in the division, Waterville, managed to make a big move in the promotion race as a five-point victory over Spa saw them move into one of the automatic promotion spots.
St Michaels/Foilmore scored the first three points of proceedings in Ballinskelligs but the visitors hit 1-3 without reply to move in front, Sean Cournane with the Cahersiveen outfit’s first goal. Kevin Cronin found the back of the net for the home side to put them back in front but St Marys dominated the rest of the first-half with a second goal from Daniel Daly giving them a 2-7 to 1-5 advantage. A combination of Cournane, his brother Anthony and Daly led St Marys to a convincing
2-16 to 1-6 success with St Michaels/ Foilmore only scoring once during the second period.
Waterville also won away from home, their long journey to the outskirts of Killarney to face Spa yielding great success in a 2-13 to 1-11 victory. A Sean Cathal O’Sullivan goal gave them an early 1-1 to 0-2 advantage before a trio of points from Barry O’Dwyer as well as single efforts from Gearóid O’Sullivan and Kevin Dwyer had them 1-8 to 0-5 in front at the break. Mike ‘Stam’ O’Donoghue and Mike McCarthy tried hard to bridge the gap for the home side in the second-half but a second goal gave Waterville the impetus again as a late Michael Foley penalty proved only to be consolation for the hosts in a five-point defeat.
Rathmore are joint second with Waterville in the table after winning an East Kerry derby away to Listry. An Eoin Lawlor goal gave them a 1-7 to 1-3 lead at half-time as despite the concession of a second goal to the home side in the second half, Rathmore managed to come away with a 1-12 to 2-6 success.
An Ghaeltacht lie in an ominous position in the table however, just a point off the promotion places with two games in hand. They were victorious over Glenflesk in Gallarus by seven points in the end after both sides had been level at five points apiece at the interval. Cathal Ó Luing, Cian Ó Murchú agus Caoimhghin Ó Beaglaoich very impressive in their defensive efforts for the hosts. Glenflesk were very reliant on Jeff O’Donoghue and Dara Roche for scores throughout as Colm Ó Muircheartaigh’s individual battle with O’Donoghue was one of the highlights of proceedings. Padraig Óigí Ó Sé scored a decisive goal in the 47th minute after being set up by Seán M Ó Conchúir as the West Kerry side recorded a 1-15 to 0-11 win.
The other game was between Beaufort and Laune Rangers with the former taking a big step towards ensuring a second season in Division Two with a six point victory over the Killorglin side, halting their recent rise up the table. An injury to Jeremiah O’Sullivan and a black card for Shane O’Sullivan were setbacks for the hosts in the first period but they still led by 0-7 to 0-4 at the break. Both sides scored the exact same totals in the second period as Francis Courtney with five points and Fergal Hallissey with four top scored for the victors in their 0-14 to 0-8 victory. Three Colm O’Shea points alongside two each for Kieran Doona and Kevin Flynn as well as a single effort from Daniel MacBeth were the Laune Rangers scores on the day as they need to find their momentum again ahead of the visit of Rathmore to JP O’Sullivan Park in the next round.
The other game between Listowel Emmets and Finuge will take place on August 24 as in the meantime Emmets will travel to Listry in while Finuge host St Michaels/Foilmore. St Marys host Spa in a repeat of last year’s Intermediate Final which in essence is a crunch game for Spa regarding their promotion hopes.
Waterville play An Ghaeltacht in another pivotal promotion match while Glenflesk will be anxious to get some points when they travel to Beaufort as the latter have only three League games left to play.