Cronin on song as Spa advance

O’SULLIVAN CUP Spa 2-17 Gneeveguilla 2-11

A MOST entertaining quarter-final sees Spa through to the semi-final of the Killarney Furniture & Carpet Centre East Kerry Junior Championship, O’Sullivan Cup competition.

Only three points separated the teams at the quarter, half and three quarters stages but a stronger scoring finish saw Spa six points clear at full-time. Gneeveguilla will rue their inaccuracy in front of goals, putting nine balls wide to Spa’s two.

During the first quarter, Spa’s Jamie and David Spillane, Shane Fenton, Evan and Cormac Cronin registered 0-5 while Padraig Doyle and Con Buckley kept Gneeveguilla in touch with 0-2.

The second quarter saw the pace and intensity increase featuring three goals. Centre-forward Jamie Spillane set up centre-back David Spillane for the game’s first goal. Within two minutes, a great passing movement had Ciaran Spillane and Evan Cronin provide the foundation for a great goal by David Spillane which saw Spa lead 2-6 to 0-5.

However, the Gneeveguilla response was immediate. From the Spa kick-out, Mike S. Murphy took possession, Shane O’Sullivan carried down the left wing and slipped a neat pass to the inrushing Mike B. Murphy, who send a rasper to the net – three great goals in the space of three minutes. Mike S Murphy landed the final point to leave the half time score Spa 2-6 Gneeveguilla 1-6.

The gap oscillated between two and four points for most of the third quarter by which time Spa led 2-11 to 2-8 – the Gneeveguilla goal started by Mike S Murphy and finished to the net by Donal Murphy.

That goal inspired Gneeveguilla. Con Buckley and Padraig Doyle added points, 2-11 to 2-10 in Spa’s favour with 10 minutes left. However, Spa found another gear and shot over 6 unanswered points from Evan Cronin (0-2), Ayden Mulvaney, Jamie Spillane (0-2) and Ryan O’Carroll. Gneeveguilla’s Con Buckley had a consolation point to leave the score at the end Spa 2-17 Gneeveguilla 2-11. SPA: Conor O’Riordan, Owen Fitzgerald(0-1), Conor Kearney, Eric O’Donoghue, Conor Cronin, David Spillane(1-1), Mikey Moynihan, Ciaran Spillane (1-0), Corey Doyle, Shane Fenton (0-1), Jamie Spillane (0-3, 1f, 1 ‘45’), Conor Gleeson, Cormac Cronin (0-3, 1f), Evan Cronin(0-6, 1f), Alfie Giles Subs: Timmy Hussey, Ryan O’Carrol (0-1), Ayden Mulvaney (0-1), Shane Cronin, Pa Murphy, Paul Cahill GNEEVEGUILLA: Jerry Cronin, Mikie Brosnan, DJ Murphy, Shane Crowley (0-1), Dean Crowley, Mike B Murphy(1-0), Damien O’Sullivan, Mike S Murphy (0-1), Fergus McAuliffe, Jamie Brosnan, Donal Murphy(1-0), Shane O’Sullivan (0-1), Con Buckley (0-6, 3f), Padraig Doyle (0-2), Sean O’Connor Subs: Donie O’Connor, George Dobbins, Sam Dobbins, Aeneas O’Leary REFEREE: Donal Casey (Scartaglin)

East Region U14 League

THE MD O’Shea East Region U-14 League Finals, are on Sunday and Monday, with Killarney Legion (Division 1), Firies (Division 2), Fossa (Division 3) and Beaufort (Division 4) through to the finals.

There are two play-offs to de- termine the remaining finalists - Rathmore V Dr Crokes, for Division 1 and 2 finals. There is a three way play off for the Division 3 and 4 finals, involving Kenmare, Kilcummin and Currow. Currow won their game against Kenmare who play Kilcummin.

Winners of advance to the finals. Results from the group phase will be used, if necessary, to determine finalists. The Division 1 and 3 finals are on Sunday; Division 2 and 4 finals are on Monday. Venue: Ftzgerald Stadium.

East Region U11 Go Games

THE MD O’Shea East Region U-11 Go Games, start on Sunday at 12 noon. The groups are: Division 1: Fossa, Kilcummin, Kenmare, Glenflesk, Rathmore. Division 2: Legion, Dr Crokes, Firies, Spa, Beaufort. Division 3: Currow, Gneeveguilla, Kilgarvan, Cordal/ Scartaglin, Listry /Keel.

Committee Meeting

THE July meeting of the East Kerry Committee (Delegates) is on Tuesday, July 26 at 9pm in the Killarney Heights Hotel.

Sympathy

WE extend sympathy on the passing away of Denis O’Sullivan, Firies, to his wife Noreen, son James O’Sullivan, Referee, all the family, relatives and friends and Firies C.L.G. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

FIXTURES

THURSDAY JULY 21 7pm Tatler Jack MFL Division 1 Gneeveguilla V Firies Killarney Legion V Kenmare Division 2 Rathmore V Beaufor t Spa V Cordal/Scar taglin Division 3 Kilcummin V Fossa MONDAY JULY 25 7pm MD O’Shea East Region U14 League Round 7 – Group C Glenflesk V Dr Crokes B Kilgarvan-Tuosist V Spa Cordal-scar taglin V Firies B TUESDAY JULY 26 7pm O’Sullivan Cup Semi Final Spa V Dr Crokes Listry V winners Glenflesk/Firies Extra time if necessary