Gneeveguilla claim Tagney Cup from Currow

BILL TANGNEY CUP FINAL

Gneeveguilla 0-11 Currow 0-9 GNEEVEGUILLA won the Bill Tangney Cup, East Kerry junior competition after a closely contested fast moving game against Currow.

Played in Farranfore, in a strong wind, the result was in the melting pot until the final whistle. Gneeveguilla were first on the scoreboard, with a Padraig Doyle point from play in the opening minute and were denied further score by a solid Currow defence.

Currow put their name on the scoreboard with two pointed frees by Mike McCarthy. It was nip and tuck and Shane Crowley levelled the game with a point from play at start of the second quarter, quickly followed by a Jamie Brosnan point from play, Gneeveguilla led, 0-3 to 0-2 with 17 minutes played.

Play moved from end to end for the remainder of the half, and Mike McCarthy levelled the game for the second time with a well taken point from play, on 23 minutes – 0-3 a piece.

The final five minutes for the half saw Gneeveguilla pull ahead with two unanswered points by (Paddy Doyle and Dean Crowley). The sides traded points to leave the half time score Gneeveguilla 0-6 Currow 0-4.

On resumption, Shane O’Sullivan extended the Gneeveguilla lead with a point from play, 0-7 to 0-4, but Currow dominated the remainder of the quarter and equalised, firing over three points without reply, Pa McCarthy, Mike McCarthy, Seamus Brosnan on target – 0-7 a piece, ten minutes into the half.

The sides traded points, (Padraig O’Connor and Mike McCarthy), 0-8 a piece going into the final quarter. A Gneeveguilla rasper came off the post and Shane O’Sullivan was quick to respond scoring a point from the rebound – Gneeveguilla led 0-9 to 0-8.

The Currow response was decisive, Kevin Daly made a surging run forward and pointed – 0-9 each. Gneeveguilla introduced fresh legs and the game flowed from end to end without score until Shane O’Sullivan picked off a great point on the 22nd minute – 0-10 to 0-9 in Gneeveguilla’s favour.

In an exciting end to the game, Gneeveguilla extended their lead with a Padraig Doyle pointed free, as the final whistle neared, 0-11 to 0-9. Currow drove forward and were denied a goal by a brilliant save from Gneeveguilla goalie, Jerry Cronin.

In the final passage of play, Currow were awarded a free, and send a high dropping ball to the goal mouth, but it was Gneeveguilla that won the ball and cleared their lines and the final whistle sounded.