The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Spa claim O’Sullivan Cup triumph over Firies
O’SULLIVAN CUP FINAL Spa 5-11 Firies 4-7
A HIGH scoring East Kerry O’Sullivan Cup final, sponsored by Killarney Carpet & Furniture Centre, was full of skill and no small amount of top quality scoring.
There were wonderful battles throughout the field; Josh Flynn V Evan Cronin, Pat Browne V Jamie Spillane, David Spillane V Sean Burke, and the midfield battle of Spa’s Andrew Garnett and Andy Fitzgerald against Firies Eddie O’Rourke and James O’Donoghue and in a game of nine goals, we witnessed top quality saves from Billy O’Rourke and Conor Riordan.
Within five minutes of the start, Ed Kerrisk and Padraig O’Sullivan netted for Firies. However, by the seventh minute, Spa had reduced the margin to a point following 1-1 from Jamie Spillane and an Evan Cronin point, 2-0 to 1-2.
Padraig O’Connor and Pat Browne attacked from the Firies defence, to produce points from Browne, Conal Murphy and Sean Burke. By the 20th minute, when William Courtney pointed for Firies, his side led by 2-4 to 1-3.
Firies capitalised immediately with Eddie O’Rourke and Niall McCarthy setting up Conal Murphy for another Firies goal. Hard work in midfield by Spa’s Andrew Garnett helped produce points from Jamie Spillane, Shane Fenton and the imperious Evan Cronin keeping Spa in touch.
With five minutes left in the half, Firies led 3-5 to 1-6, and still the goalfest continued. Firies wing forward Niall McCarthy was provider for the inrushing William Courtney whose pass to the corner of the net was top drawer finishing – 4-5 to 1-6. But Spa responded smartly when Cormac Cronins pass was finished to the net by hard working centre forward Jamie Spillane. Firies 4-5 Spa 2-6 at half time.
Incredibly Firies, who looked like winners at half time, only managed to register a further two points in the second half. A William Courtney free was cancelled by a Cormac Cronin free.
Andrew Garnett produced a man-of-the match performance at midfield for Spa as they scored 3-5 without reply over the next 20 minutes. Points were added by Evan Cronin (0-2), Connor Gleeson and Cormac Cronin before a spell of volleyball in the Firies square ended with Cormac Cronin flicking the ball to the net.
Spa had now pulled two points clear – 3-11 to 4-6, leading for the first time since the first minute of the game. With Firies backs to the wall, Spa swept forward again and Shane Fenton netted.
From the kick-out, Andrew Garnett powered down the centre and raised another green flag for Spa – 5-11 to 4-6. In the last minutes of the game, William Courtney pointed a free for Firies before the game ended with an unfortunate injury to William, one of the Firies stars.
Tim Ryan, East Kerry Committee Chairman, accompanied by sponsor Niall O’Sullivan, presented the Owen O’Sullivan Cup to Spa joint captains Conor Gleeson and Paul Russell, while Andrew Garnett received the Man-of-Match award from Conn O’Sullivan. SPA: Conor Riordan, Eoghan Cronin, Conor Kearney, Ayden Mulvaney, Eric O’Donoghue, David Spillane, Mikey Moynihan, Andy Fitzgerald, Andrew Garnett (1-0), Shane Fenton (1-1), Jamie Spillane (2-2; 0-2f), Ciaran Spillane, Cormac Cronin (1-2; 0-1f), Evan Cronin (0-5), Conor Gleeson (0-1) Subs: Shane Cronin, Alfie Giles, Conor Cronin, Paul Russell FIRIES: Billy O’Rourke, Dan O’Shea, Josh Flynn, Padraig O’Connor, Adrian Courtney, Pat Browne (0-1), Seamus Barry, Eddie O’Rourke, James O’Donoghue, William Courtney (1-3, 0-3f), Sean Bourke (0-2), Niall McCarthy, Padraig O’Sullivan (1-0), Ed Kerrisk (1-0), Conal Murphy (1-1) Subs: Denis Kerrisk REFEREE: Christy Crowley (Gneeveguilla)
FR GALVIN CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND Firies 2-12 Cordal 1-7
CORDAL and Firies served up a great game of football in the Fr Galvin Cup, East Kerry Intermediate Championship, sponsored by the Aquila Club, Gleneagle Hotel, on a perfect playing surface, despite what felt like winter weather with wind and rain.
The first half was a closely contested affair, and the sides went in at the break with the home side ahead by a point. Cordal struck first with a well taken goal by Phillip O’Connor.
Firies equalised with three unanswered points. It was tit for tat. The home side kept their nose in front scoring three points without reply. However, the visitors, going stronger, notched up two points.
With the minimum between the teams, the sides exchanged points, Cordal from play and Firies with a last minute pointed free, to leave the score at the break Cordal 1-4 Firies 0-6.
Firies started the second half strongly, with three unanswered points. Cordal replied with a point before Firies took control with goals from Stephen Foley and Mike Daly.
Firies then went on a scoring spree putting over five points to two for Cordal and Firies ran out winners.
Vice-chairman of the East Kerry Committee, Johnny Brosnan, presented man-of-the-match award to Firies’ Mike Daly.
Minor League
THIS year’s Tatler Jack East Region Minor League is nearing completion. Firies reached the Division 1 Final against Gneeveguilla with a one point victory over Dr Crokes on Sunday, Final score: 2-14 to 2-13.
The division 1 final will be played in Gneeveguilla and will be fixed for the first available date. The Division 3 final, Kilcummin V Fossa, has been re-fixed for Friday, August 26 in Kilcummin at 7pm. There will be extra time if necessary.
The teams to compete in the Division 2 Final, will be clear, after the round 5 back game, Rathmore V Cordal/Scartaglin has been played, this week.
U-14 Championship
THE MD O’Shea East Kerry U-14 championship continues this week with games to determined what teams will compete in Divisions 3, 4 and 5 Quarter/Semi-finals.
U-11 League
THE MD O’Shea, East Region U-11 league are down to the last few matches. The league will be completed with the last games on Wednesday night. Well done to all the teams and their mentors and many thanks to the referees.
Kelloggs Cul Camps
EAST Kerry/ Kenmare clubs completed the Cul Camps programme on Friday.
Thanks to all clubs for providing such excellent facilities for all boys and girls during the camps.
The standard of coaching was fantastic at all venues with all boys and girls enjoying the experience.
Numbers in East Kerry/ Kenmare camps exceeded 1,200 boys and girls many thanks to all the parents that signed up children to complete the camps.