South Kerry are Under 21 champions for 2016

SOUTH Kerry are the Acorn Life Under 21 champions following a comprehensive victory over Dingle at Austin Stack Park on Wednesday evening of last week.

In a game that took a decisive twist after twenty minutes of the first half, the ability of the South Kerry side to carve out goal scoring opportunities was the major difference between the sides as was the fact that the winners had strength in depth best exemplified by the fact that Darragh O’Sullivan came off the bench for the second half and helped himself to three points.

Dingle were also handicapped by the fact that they were forced to lineout without county panellist Mark O’Connor due to injury and as events transpired, his loss in the midfield area was huge.

Dingle, inspired by Tom O’Sullivan, Matthew Flaherty, and Cathal Bambury, led by 0-8 to 0-3 after about 20 minutes and looked to be on their way to a first title in the grade but then in a 20 minute period either side of half time the westerners conceded 2-8 without reply as the likes of Matthew O’Sullivan, Mark Sugrue, Robert Wharton and Dilan O’Donoghue thundered into the game for South Kerry.

There was no way back for the club side after that and the game finished 3-12 to 0-12 in favour of the divisional side. Diarmuid Ó Sé, vice chairman of Kerry county committee, presented the Under 21 Cup to winning captain Conor O’Shea and Pius Horgan of Acorn Life presented Robert Wharton of South Kerry with the Acorn Life Man of the Matchaward.

County MFC Draw

THE draw for the Keanes Supervalu Killorglin Minor Football Championship semi finals was made on Radio Kerry last weekend and the pairings are as follows: East Kerry V St Brendans and Firies V Mid Kerry. Wednesday August 31st is pencilled in for these two games with neutral venues to be decided. Extra time applies if necessary.

Junior Leagues

THE Junior Leagues are at the playoff stages in most of the Divisions with the top team qualifying for the final and second and third in a semi final with second having home venue. The following is a run down of the various groups:

Group 1: Semi-final; Legion v Strand Road on this Wednesday, August 17 at 7pm at Legion - Extra-time. Winners play Gneeveguilla in the final. Group 2: Semi-final; Ballydonoghue defeated Clounmacon in the semi final on Sunday in a game that went to extra time and they now play Desmonds in the final. Group 3: Spa and Beaufor t are in the final Group 4: Kilcummin are in the final and await the winners of the semi final between Glenbeigh/Glencar and Lispole. Group 5: Skellig Rangers are in the final; St Marys, St MichaelsFoilmore are in semi-final Group 6: Moyvane have already defeated Tarber t in the final Group 7: Currow await the winners of the St Senans/Dr Crokes semi-final

South Kerry captain Robert Wharton with the cup after his team triumphed in the Under 21 final last week Photo by Domnick Walsh / Eye Focus