The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Dingle Bay impress in triumph
DINGLE Bay Rovers advanced to the third round of the Umbro FAI Junior Cup in impressive style at Mounthawk Park on Friday with a comfortable win over Limerick Desmond League side Granagh United.
Apart from a period late in the first half and for 10 minutes early in the second half Dingle were always in control of this game and won it with plenty left in the tank. They bossed the game at midfield where Joe Sheehy and Luke Burgess were running the show and they displayed lots of creativity throughout the game.
The visitors’ best player on the pitch was Edward Sheehy at midfield and he worked his socks off throughout the game but his sides attacks were fizzling out in the final third of the pitch.
Dingle had a couple of early attacks but Sean Fitzgerald and Joe Sheehy could not finish them off. However, they went ahead in the 13rd minute when Luke Burgess and Joe Sheehy linked up to free the elusive Sean Fitzgerald just inside the box and he applied a superb finish to set the West Kerry side on their way.
They went close to scoring again in the 19th minute when Donnacha Higgins latched on to a Cathal Sheehy corner kick, but he headed his effort on goal wide of the target.
Sean Fitzgerald should have doubled their lead two minutes later when he was in one on one with the Granagh keeper David Condan but the custodian dived low to make a great save.
The second goal came seven minutes later after another penetrating attack Colm Moriarty was bundled over in the box and referee Adrian Quirke pointed to the spot.
Joe Sheehy gave the Granagh keeper no chance with a clinical finish from 12 yards.
Granagh enjoyed a good spell late in the half with Edward Sheehy making a great run from midfield but his shot from inside the box was low and wide. Just before the break they got a free kick 10 yards outside the box and Mike O’Rourke shot was comfortably saved by Thomas Sayers in the Dingle goals.
Granagh enjoyed a good bit of possession in the early part of the second half and 10 minutes in they forced a corner kick.
This was floated into the goalmouth by Mike O’Rourke and Harry Dore rose unchallenged on the edge of the small box and headed powerfully to the roof of the net.
This was the wake up call Dingle required and again they began to take the game to their opponents. Cathal Ferriter replaced Joe Kennedy for Dingle and they began to put pressure on the visitors defence.
A great run by Jason Hickson opened the Granagh defence and when his cross was knocked out it was met on the volley by Joe Sheehy and smashed back of the post and sub Cathal Ferriter was the quickest to react and he slotted the ball home from eight yards.
Dingle should have extended their lead three minutes later and a great move involving Cathal Sheehy and Sean Fitzgerald left Joe Sheehy with just the keeper to beat, but he dragged his shot wide.
However, they were not to be denied six minutes later after a corner kick Cathal Sheehy linked up with Joe Sheehy who laid the ball off to Sean Fitzgerald and he picked his spot from close range.
Fitzgerald had a great chance to complete is hat trick late in the game but with only the keeper to beat he fired his shot wide.
It was an easy win for Dingle on the evening but they know much sterner tests lie ahead. DINGLE BAY ROVERS: Thomas Sayers, Jason Hickson, Donnacha Higgins, Mark O’Sullivan, Michael Begley, Colm Moriarty, Joe Sheehy, Luke Burgess, Cathal Sheehy, (David O’Connor 82 mins), Sean Fitzgerald, Joe Kennedy (Cathal Ferriter 58) GRANAGH UNITED: David Condan, Tony Roche, Mike O’Rourke, Stephen O’Brien, Mark Tierney, Colm Noonan, Edward Sheehy, Harry Dore, Keith Watkins, (John O’Connor 15 mins) Paudie Lynch, Stephen Hickey REFEREE: Adrian Quirke