The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Two goal salvo sees Firies into Galvin Cup finale
FR GALVIN CUP Firies 2-10 Listry 0-14
PASSIONATE players and supporters always add a colourful dimension to local derbies and so it was at Listry last Saturday evening when Firies and Listry contested the Fr Galvin Cup East Kerry Intermediate Championship semi-final, sponsored by The Aquila Club, Gleneagle Hotel.
Two goals from man-of-thematch William Courtney were the deciding factor between these two evenly matched sides.
Within three minutes of the start, Colm O’Shea supplied the ball to Courtney on the left wing and he cut in at an angle to rifle his shot into the roof of the net and followed with a point from play gave Firies a great foundation after five minutes.
It was tit for tat for the remainder of the quarter. Two Listry points was met by a point for Firies, which was countered by points from Listry to leave the scoreboard Firies 1-2 Listry 0-4 at the end of the first quarter.
However, within a minute Firies manufactured a second goal. A Jack Sherwood free was claimed by Ed Kerrisk whose pass to the inrushing Courtney resulted in a second green flag for Firies.
Listry pressed seeking a goal in reply. Danger man Joe Clifford got possession at the top of the square but a diving block by John O’Mahony on the boot of Clifford prevented the goal an defence was turned into attack and Firies registered a point.
The sides traded points leaving the half time score: Firies 2-4 Listry 0-6
The second half saw Listry take the game to Firies and reduce the margin to the minimum – Firies 2-6 Listry 0-11 at the three quarter stage. However, this was as close as Listry was to get as both sides battled fiercely to the end swapping scores, four points for Firies to three for Listry.
William Courtney (Firies) received the Aquila Club man of the match award from East Kerry Board secretary Dermot O’Connor. Fires play Fossa in the Final.