The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Wins for Firies and Spa in East Kerry
O’SULLIVAN CUP EK JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP Firies 1-11 Currow 0-12
FIRIES and Currow dished up an exciting round 1 game that could have gone either way, in the Killarney Carpet and Furniture Centre O’Sullivan Cup, last week in Farrranfore. Currow began the brighter, aided by the wind but could not make the pressure count.
Firies opened the scoring with a point from James O’Donoghue. Currow pressure began to count, and the visitors recorded the next 3 points, a brace from Seamus Brosnan and a forty five from Mike McCarthy. A Padraig O’Sullivan point kept Firies in touch. Points were exchanged until half time. Firies through William Courtney and James O’Donoghue, Currow with Jack O’Sullivan and Kevin Daly.
Currow, who led by the minimum at the break, could have had a bigger lead but were unlucky in front of goal. Half-time score Currow 0-5 Firies 0-4.
The games continued a pace after the break, with the sides evenly matched. Currow extended their lead through Kevin Sullivan. Firies replied with a Pat Browne point, at the end of a well worked move. Points were exchanged through Padraig O’Sullivan (2) for Firies and Kevin Daly and Pa Mc Carthy for Currow. The turning point came with a quick fire goal and a point from William Courtney, to give Firies a 3 point lead.
Currow hit back and reduced the gap to the minimum, with points from Kevin Daly and Seamus Brosnan. The visitors tried hard to equalise but a great defensive effort by Firies held them at bay and a James O’Donoghue point concluded the scoring.
Firies are through to the quarter-final where they are away to Glenflesk and Currow play in the Bill Tangney Cup quarter-final, away against Cordal.
Spa 1-11 Rathmore 1-9
The second of the East Kerry Junior Championship round 1 games, played last week, proved to be a close encounter. The home side led at the break by two points but the visitors Spa had the better of the second half and edged out Rathmore after an entertaining game, with a tight finish. Rathmore started the brightest running up three quick scores, from Sean O’Riordan, Stephen Lehane and Jack Reen. Jamie Spillane got two early scores for Spa and on the fifteenth minute, after a flowing movement, the evergreen Alfie Giles was on hand to finish the ball to the net. Rathmore responded, on the twenty first minute, with a goal from Tadgh Mahoney after good work from John Hickey. Cormac Cronin replied for Spa to leave the half time score Rathmore 1-6 Spa 1-4
Spa dominated the second half and ran out deserved winners. Jack Reen and Michael O’Riordan scored early for Rathmore while Alfie Giles and Jamie Spillane continued to score for Spa. By the twenty-first minute Spa were two points to the good and Rathmore had a mini revival. However, two missed frees at this point and some tight defending from Spa saw a stalemate on the scoreboard. Spa were the ones to break out and get the insurance point just before full time. Spa play Gneeveguilla, at home, in the quarter-final, while Rathmore compete in the Bill Tangney Cup competition.
DYLAN CROWLEY U-11 INVITATION TOURNAMENT
The Dylan Crowley U11 Invitational Tournamant takes place next Saturday in Gneeveguilla at 10am. The teams involved are Gneeveguilla, Rathmore, Scartaglin, Glenflesk, Kilcummin, Fossa, Dromtariffe, Firies, Currow and Kilgarvin. The format of the tournament is 2 groups of 5 teams. The winners of Group A and B play in the Division 1 Final and the runners up of Group A and B play in the Division 2 Final. Third placed teams of Group A and B play in the Division 3 Final. All finals to be played at approximately 2.45pm.
MUNSTER GAMES
Kerry South U-14/U-15/U-16 teams took part in Munster games on Saturday last 2nd July. Kerry South U-14 defeated Cork East in the Munster U-14 Cup final in Waterford. Kerry South U-15 team showed great determination to overcome a strong Cork East team in the Munster U-15 Cup final in Cork. Kerry South U-16 team reached the Munster U-16 decider losing out to Kerry North in Limerick. Thanks to all management teams and players for delivering such great performances on the day and to the large number of parents that supported the teams all over Munster. Fixtures Kerry Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Centre EK Junior League Replay Division 2 Final Saturday July 9 at 7pm Kilcummin V Spa in Farranfore Extra time if necessary MD O’Shea East Region U14 League Monday July 11 at 7pm Round 5 Group A Kenmare V Dr Crokes Kilcummin V Rathmore Group B Firies V Legion Gneeveguilla V Fossa Beaufort V Listry/Keel Group C Firies B V Kilgarvan/Tuosist Spa V Glenflesk Dr Crokes B V Beaufor t B