Fossa’s impressive season to continue with win over Scart and a place in final

COUNTY JFC SEMI-FINAL

Fossa v Scartaglin Sunday, October 2 Farranfore at 2:30pm Referee: Peter Lyons

THIS East Kerry derby features two sides with contrasting campaigns in Division Four of the County League this year. Fossa were dominant winning all bar their last game in securing promotion to Division Three while Scartaglin had to battle to avoid the drop to Division Five.

Scart did win the cup (Hickey/ Quirke) if not the competition back in 2012 when it was awarded to the Novice winners. However bar following on with a win in the Knockaderry Tournament that year and competing in Division Three for a couple of years they failed to make an impact on the race for the Con Brosnan Cup.

Fossa’s loss to Na Gaeil in their Round 11 County League game was disappointing but should be taken with a health warning as they were absent six of their regular starters and should be a far more formidable proposition on this occasion with Paudie Clifford, Fintan Coffey and Lorcan Daly back in their ranks despite All-Ireland winning Kerry minor David Clifford being ineligible for Senior Football owing to the U-17 rule.

They lost to Dromid Pearses in the Preliminary Round before going on to record wins over Lispole and Castlegregory to bring them to this point as Tadgh O’Shea and Donald O’Sullivan continue to be big threats in their forward line.

Scart’s path here saw them recover from a big defeat to Ballydonoghue in the Preliminary Round before going on to defeat Ballyduff and Knocknagoshel to reach this stage.

The latter win was by the narrowest of margins as Padraig Reidy continues to be the main inspiration for his side along with players such as Mike Coakley, Mike Horan, Pa Rahilly and Denis Lenihan. When the two sides met in the County League back in Round Six in June, Fossa had 13 points to spare in the end on home turf and on form they will be favourites to win again this Sunday.

Scart have the consolation of heading to neutral territory this time however in Farranfore. The tight confines of the Firies venue might suit them a bit more in trying to stifle the Fossa attack and the weather conditions aren’t conducive to free flowing football.

However if John Evans’ side manage to find their rhythm it’s hard to see anything other than a win for a side looking to add some Championship success to an already impressive year on the League front.

VERDICT: Fossa