The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Linnane on song for winners
A WIN, somewhat against the odds, for Beale in the semi-final of the County Junior Football Championship in Strand Road last Sunday afternoon.
It owed much to the introduction of second half substitute Ian Blake whose unerring accuracy fashioned a victory which hardly seemed likely at the interval break, at which juncture the teams were level.
But with Listry having faced the elements in the first half they looked to be in a much stronger position to push on and complete the task on hands. However, Beale displayed admirable endeavour throughout all of the second half and, with the issue remaining delicately poised, they found an extra gear when Blake was introduced from the bench in the 40th minute. Ultimately they dug deep in what was a pretty frantic finish to book their spot in the championship decider.
Despite a lot of territorial supremacy, Beale initially found it difficult to fully transfer that advantage into scores, even if they were 0-3 to 0-1 in front after eight minutes with Cormac Linnane, who was one of their most effective performers throughout kicking their third score.
In sporadic attacks, Listry were more productive with Billy O’Brien landing a fine angled effort to level matters after eleven minutes.
A pointed free from James McMahon edged Beale marginally in front, 0-4 to 0-3, by the end of the opening quarter and, indeed, they were unlucky not to have capitalised with a goal chance shortly afterwards.
However, they kicked quite a few long deliveries rather aimlessly which were dealt with quite capably by a pretty resolute Listry full-back line, and while Cormac Linnane with a neat and precise finish put them back in front in the 26th minute.
Damien Clifford, whose superb conversions from placed balls were a feature of the contest, levelled matters once again to leave the encounter deadlocked at 0-5 apiece at half-time.
Given the strength of the breeze, Listry certainly were in a more favourable position at this particular stage of the contest and a fine score from midfielder Jimmy O’Leary gave them the perfect start to the second half.
A reply from Beale’s Nelius Mulvihill, whose drive from close range just went over the bar, and could well have been a goal, levelled matters once in the 34th minute, but with Damien Clifford continuing to hit the target with some superb strikes from distance in dead ball situations, Listry were 0-8 to 0-6 in front two minutes later.
The introduction of Ian Blake meant that it largely developed into a shoot-out at opposite ends with the game’s top scorer Damien Clifford. After James McMahon had again reduced the margin to the bare minimum, Blake with a brace of pointed frees edged Beale back in front in the 44th minute.
A contest of fluctuating fortunes continued with Listry restoring a two point cushion in their favour (0-11 0-9) by the 51st minute. Certainly, Listry looked to be in a position at this particular time to consolidate their situation even fur- ther, even if they were depending almost exclusively on the prolific Damien Clifford to provide scores for them.
However, they couldn’t fully seal the deal and it was Ian Blake under pressure, and Shane Hanrahan who brought Beale level again. That set the scene for a nail biting finish.
Blake with his fourth point kicked what proved to be the winning score in the 56th minute and, while Listry made some determined efforts to salvage the situation, Beale remained committed and composed, and played down the clock by retaining possession.
Ultimately, it was a game that could have gone either way. Listry, at different periods, looked as if they might be the side most likely to succeed. However, Beale had a few individual aces who influenced matters in different aspects of play.
James McMahon, as always orchestrated matters on the forty, Cormac Linnane was probably the most accomplished player on view, while the introduction of Ian Blake sparked a match winning response from his side. LISTRY: Colm Counihan, Danny Wrenn, Paudie Lehane, Kieran Murphy, Kevin Courtney (0-1), Eoghan Darmody, John Foley, Jimmy O’Leary (0-1), Billy O’Brien (0-1), Damien Clifford (0-7, 6f, 1 ‘45’), Paul O’Donoghue, Sean Lehane, Derry Aherne (0-1f), Joe Clifford, Dara Lehane Subs: Gavin Nolan for J Foley, Cian O’Donoghue for S Lehane, Peader Keane for P O’Donoghue. BEALE: Sean Dee, Killian Walsh-O’Boyle, Colm Kissane, Johnny O’Sullivan, Shane Joy, Paul Collins, Phil Blake, Jeremy King, Neilus Mulvihill (0-1), Daniel Ellis, James McMahon (0-2f) Ger O’Gorman (0-1f), Ian Mannix (0-1), Barry O’Mahony, Cormac Linnane (0-2). Subs: Shane Hanrahan (0-1) for D Ellis, Ian Blake (0-4, 3f) for G O’Gorman, Cillian Courtney for B O’Mahony. REFEREE: Paul Hayes (Kerins O’Rahillys)