The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Hallissey goal sinks Desmonds
COUNTY PREMIER JFC SEMI-FINAL
Kenmare Shamrocks 2-13 Castleisland Desmonds 1-9
DESPITE a sluggish start that saw them take 10 minutes to find their first score, Kenmare Shamrocks never looked back once they went in front of Castleisland Desmonds last Sunday as the club reached their first Intermediate decider since 1991 with this win. Their manager John O’Sullivan was pleased with how his side recovered from a poor start.
“It took us a while to get into the rhythm of what was going on out there but once we settled down I was very happy with how we took our scores. Stephen (O’Brien) and Sean (O’Shea) coming in has been a big boost to us but from 1-15 I thought we were very impressive today. All we wanted to do today was reach the Final and we’ll think about everything else from there but I do feel sorry for Desmonds losing their third semi-final. They have been decimated with injuries and today probably showed it,” the Kenmare manager said.
When Stan Divane, Brian Leonard and Kieran Brennan put Desmonds into an early three point lead they looked to be capable of ending their Intermediate heartache over recent years. Sean O’Leary finally got Kenmare on the scoreboard and though a fine second point from Brennan in the 12th minute restored the St Kierans side’s three point lead, their opponents pretty much took charge of the game from here hitting 1-7 without reply.
The goal came in the 19th minute when Paul O’Connor did the hard work in finding a way goalward and laying off for midfielder David Hallissey to find the net from close range. O’Connor followed with four consecutive frees as points from Steven Bartlett and Cian O’Connor ended Desmonds’ 18 minute run without a score.
They still trailed by 1-8 to 0-6 at half-time and needed goalkeeper Ger Reidy to be alert after the restart in stopping Patrick O’Shea from scoring a second Kenmare goal. Thomas Hickey’s introduction failed to reignite Desmonds in any significant way but Divane did have a goalscoring chance in the 33rd minute as a shot came off the crossbar and went over for a white instead of a green flag.
The game was effectively over as a contest in the 41st minute as Seanie O’Shea punished Desmonds for a poor hold of possession and laid off to Paul O’Connor who in turn found Kevin O’Sullivan rushing in for an easy finish for Kenmare’s second goal and a double score lead at 2-10 to 0-8.
Even though the result was looking pretty inevitable, Kieran Brennan never gave up for Desmonds and it was fitting that he got their goal in the 47th minute after Cian O’Connor and Thomas Hickey were involved in the buildup. Stan Divane was dismissed however for a second yellow card as Desmonds had one last chance to worry Kenmare when substitute Cian Dom O’Connor appeared to put Hickey in with a decent opportunity for a second goal however Kenmare managed to clear their lines.
Kenmare substitute Fionan O’Sullivan got the last score of the game as the Shamrocks seek to follow Ardfert and St Marys and go on to greater things after a semi-final victory over last Sunday’s opposition like the aforementioned clubs have done in the last two years.
Twenty-final years on from losing to Milltown/Castlemaine in their last decider at this level, the fact neighbouring Templenoe will be their opposition just makes it more intriguing!
KENMARE SHAMROCKS: Kieran Fitzgibbon, Stephen O’Shea, Tommy O’Sullivan, Dara Crowley, Shane O’Sullivan, Dara O’Shea, Mark Crowley (0-1), John Mark Foley, David Hallissey (1-0), Patrick O’Shea (0-1), Sean O’Leary (0-2), Kevin O’Sullivan (1-0), Sean O’Shea (0-2), Paul O’Connor (0-5, 4f), Stephen O’Brien (0-1).
Subs: Alan O’Leary for Patrick O’Shea, Donal O’Connor for Foley, Fionan O’Sullivan (0-1) for Paul O’Connor, Denis Cronin for Shane O’Sullivan, Shane Dalton for Hallissey, Brian O’Sullivan for O’Brien.
CASTLEISLAND DESMONDS: Ger Reidy, David Lynch, Maurice Lynch, Tadhg O’Connell, Brian Leonard (0-1), Maurice Hickey, Luke Lyons, Kieran Brennan (1-2), Pat Fitzgerald, Cian O’Connor (0-2, 1f), Tomás Lynch, Sean Lynch, Stan Divane (02), Patrick Hickey, Steven Bartlett (0-1, 1f).
Subs: Cian D O’Connor for Patrick Hickey, Pa White for Pat Fitzgerald, Thomas Hickey (0-1, 1f) for Bartlett, Graham O’Connor for Sean Lynch, Eoin Murphy for Tomás Lynch, Micheal Walsh for Leonard.
REFEREE: Padraig O’Sullivan (Firies)
MAIN MAN While it’s usually more for his scoring exploits that he gets praise, Paul O’Connor was more effective as a provider last Sunday being involved in the two goals that sent Kenmare on their way to victory.
KEY MOMENT David Hallissey’s goal might have only put Kenmare three points up on the scoreboard but psychologically it had a massive effect as Desmonds appeared to wilt badly once they went behind.
TALKING POINT A fascinating local derby to look forward to in the decider but one wonders where Desmonds go from here at Intermediate level after losing at the penultimate stage for the third consecutive year.