The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Kerry South made to work by Cork in U15 Final
MUNSTER U15 FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT Kerry South 2-8 Cork West 1-9
KERRY South excitedly held off the stern challenge of Cork West in a gripping Munster U-15 Football Tournament Final in Millstreet on Saturday.
The battling qualities of both sides surfaced to a contest that saw top drawer fare played in the traditional rivalry associated with the teams. And from a competitive tussle, Kerry South deservedly landed the Humphrey Kelleher Memorial Cup to a game laced with constructive passages of football and a credit to both sides.
At the full time whistle, Kerry South’s superior movement going forward and a better work ethic won reward. After Jordi O’Brien edged Cork ahead, a fancied Ker- ry were clearly up for the battle on points from David Dineen and Paul O’Shea.
Kilcummin’s O’Shea was to emerge a dominant figure for the Kingdom boys on gaining amount of ball and a neat link up allowed Patrick D’Arcy in for a goal. Cork rallied superbly once Scott Philpott found the net with Eoin Nation, Francis Cronin and O’Brien leading the charge.
And the impeccable shooting of Nemo Rangers star Philpott kept his side in the hunt on reducing the deficit 1-5 to 1-4 at the interval. Though operating against the breeze for the restart, Cork hit the ground running, Philpott pointing monstrous efforts to edge his side ahead.
Kerry reacted positively, the play of team captain Mark Cooper, Owen Fitzgerald, Dineen and Michael Linehan inspired confidence as did the enormous influence of O’Shea.
A measured delivery from O’Shea placed Darragh O’Donoughue in for a lead goal. Though Cork replied with a Philpott point, Kerry answered with a pair of pointed frees from Dineen.
Still the game remained in the melting pot, Kerry now blocking off the danger routes to Philpott and company. Late on, Cork West threw everything forward in a bid for redemption yet Kerry’s discipline and nerve held out for a more balanced outfit regain a hold of the accolades. KERRY SOUTH: A O’Connor (Miltown Castlemaine); O Fitzgerald (Gneeveguilla), D O’Sullivan (Rathmore), G O’Connor (Dr. Crokes); D McCartney (Kenmare), M Cooper (Dr. Crokes), D Murphy (Rathmore); D Lyne (Legion), R Moriarty (Laune Rangers); P O’Sullivan (Legion), S Doona (Laune Rangers), P O’Shea (0-3, 1f, Kilcummin); D Dineen (0-3, 2f, Rathmore), K O’Leary (Kilcummin), M Linehan (0-1f, Dr. Crokes). Subs: K O’Donoughue (Legion), B Nikic (Kenmare), P D’Arcy (1-1, Glenflesk), K O’Leary (Kilcummin), J Curran (Waterville), D Leane (Miltown Castlemaine), D ONeill (do), D O’Donoughue (1-0, Firies), G Murphy (Keel). CORK WEST: T O’Connell; D Harte, D Connolly, M McCarthy; D Phelan, E Nation, D O’Shea; F Cronin (0-1), S Minihane; J Kelleher (0-1), J O’Brien (0-1f), K Forbes; H Sheehan, S Philpott (1-6, 0-4f), S McDonnell. Subs: A Minehane, D O’Sullivan, D Buckley, E Donlon, J Cotter, M White, P Cullinane, S Crowley, P Hodnett. REFEREE: N Wall (Cork)
KERRY teams completed a clean sweep in the Munster underage football tournaments at the weekend with the U-14 and U-16 titles coming to the Kingdom too.
In the Jim Power U-14 tournament Kerry South had Group 1 wins over Clare and Tipperary but lost out to Rebel Óg East (Cork) by 1-6 to 0-5 in Dungarvan.
In the semi-final Kerry South had a 1-9 to 0-3 win over Rebel Óg West before gaining revenge over Rebel Óg East in the Cup final, winning by 6-6 to 3-3.
In the same tournament Kerry North won the Shield Final, beating Clare by 6-15 to 0-5 in Fraher Field in Dungarvan.
In the Munster U-16 tournament, hosted at Limerick clubs Rathkeale, Adare and St Senans (Foynes) on Saturday, Kerry North beat Kerry South for the title.