The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Devastating Duagh dominate Bally with eight goal salvo
Duagh 8-18 Ballylongford 3-11
DUAGH and Ballylongford served up 11 goals in their County Senior Football League Division 5 encounter in Duagh last Saturday evening.
Theconditions for attacking foot- ball were excellent throughout, with the Duagh pitch in great shape, very littlewind,andthe game also featured some rare summer sunshine.
In these days of blanket defences and low scorelines, it is refreshing to report on a game that produced 40 scores, however Duagh were so completely dominant that it’s value as a contest was over with only 15 minutes gone on the clock as they raced into a healthy 1-11 to 0-2 lead.
The Duagh point kicking was very impressive, with the stylish Nigel O’Connor contributing five points in this period, as Kieran Lucey, Gerard McCarthy, two from Daniel O’Donoghue and a splendid effort from Dara Joy with the outside of his right boot, contributed to the scoresheet. Duagh’s goal was scored by Padraig O’Donoghue, who finished superbly to the net after a good attacking move involving five players. Ballylongford were really struggling at this stage , and despite points from Joe and Liam McCarthy, their failure to counteract the dominance of Kieran Lucey and Jeremiah Kelly around the middle of the field was really hurting them.
Ballylongford did score a good goal through Tadgh McEllistrim, but the Duagh response was ruthlessly efficient as Kieran Lucey, David O’Donoghue, Diarmuid Foley and Jeremiah Kelly punished slack defence to hit the back of the Ballylongford net. It really was one way traffic and the Shannonsiders were relieved to hear referee Pad- dy White’s half-time whistle with Duagh in an unassailable 5-13 to 1-4 lead.
Both teams traded early points in the second half as Ballylongford brought more energy to their performance. Duagh scored a goal in the 43rd minute through Gavin Buckley Ballylongford responded well with points from Kieran O’Connor and two from the boot of Eamon McElligott.
Ballylongford were started to gain some good possession around the middle of the field and they struck for a goal from a penalty in the 52nd minute through Kieran O’Connor, after Joe McCarthy was fouled while bearing down on goal. Kieran Lucey, outstanding all through for Duagh, scored a fine individual point to settle the home side once more.
Duagh struck for goal number seven in the 56th minute when Padraig O’Donoghue rifled the ball to the roof of the net after a good break from defence by Maurice O’Connor.
Credit to Ballylongford though as straight from the kick-out Tadgh McEllistrim scored his second goal for the Shannonsiders. It was all too little too late, however, as Daniel O’Donoghue scored the eighth goal for Duagh in the dying seconds of the game to seal an impressive and emphatic 22 point win.
Duagh will travel to Rathmore B for the final round of the Division 5 County League. With both teams joint second in the table on 14 points, a win will definitely see either side get promoted.
Ballylongford, short six regulars on Saturday, will face their neighbours Ballyduff in their final game, with neither side in the hunt for promotion. DUAGH: John O’Carroll, Thomas Scanlon, Donal Scanlon, Tim Quirke, Maurice O’Connor (0-1), Aaron O’Connor, John Joy, Kieran Lucey (1-3), Jeremiah Kelly (1-2), Padraig O’Donoghue (2-0), Nigel O’Connor (0-5, 1f), Gerard McCarthy (0-3, 2f), Daniel O’Donoghue (2-3), Diarmuid Foley (1-0), Dara Joy (0-1) Subs: Gavin Buckley for Dara Joy (h/t), Jerry Sheehan for Jeremiah Kelly (h/t) BALLYLONGFORD: Ciaran Barrett, Padraig O’Neill, Eamon McElligott (0-2), Stephen Mulvihill, Liam Foley, Stephen Foley, Darren Murphy, Tadgh McEllistrim (1-1), Niall Heaphy (1-0), John Neville, Joe McCarthy (0-2, 1f), Liam McCarthy (0-1), Kieran Connolly (0-2), Kieran O’Connor (1-3, 1-0 pen, 0-1f), Kenneth Tydings
REFEREE: Paddy White (Kerins O’Rahillys)