Spa and Gneeveguilla advance

O’DONOGHUE CUP QUARTER-FINALS Spa 2-13 Legion 1-13

SPA progressed to the semi final of Aquiila Club O’ Donoghue Cup against Killarney Legion, when they raced into a commanding lead, early in the tie.

Despite playing the second half wwith an extra man, Killarney Legion were unable to get within striking distance until it too late and Spa held on to win. After a dream start for Spa, where Michael O’Donoghue opened the scoring, Evan Cronin struck with a goal, punching the ball into the corner of the net and further Spa points followed to lead 1-4 to nil.

Legion registered their first score in the twelfth minute and notched up three points.

However, Spa struck for another goal from their David Spillane, with ten minutes remaining in the half to give the visitors an eightpoint lead.

There were a scatter of points for both teams but with two minutes remaining in the half, Killarney Legion had a penalty, which was saved by keeper James Devane. Two Legion points left the half time score Spa 2-8, Killarney Legion 0-6.

Legion came out all guns blazing and notched the first four scores of the second half but an outstanding free by Mike O’Donoghue, from just outside the 45, halted the homes side’s momentum.

The sides traded points and Spa held their lead, having regis- tered 2-13 to 0-12 with two minutes to go. A late Shaun Keane goal and a James O’ Donoghue pointed free reduced the gap to a single score and Spa progressed to the Semi Final on a full time score of Spa 2-13, Legion 1-13.

The man of the match award was presented to Michael O Donoghue (Spa), by Johnny Brosnan, Vice Chairman, East Kerrry Committee.

Gneeveguilla 3-10 Glenflesk 1-13

PLAYED in Autumn sunshine in front of a large attendance in Glenflesk on Saturday, a determined Gneeveguilla, came out on top against Glenflesk to reach the semi final of the O’Donoghue Cup, sponsored by The Aquila Club, Gleneagle Hotel.

After an exciting game, it was the home team who made the early running, with a scatter of points before Lee O’Donoghue finished to the Gneeveguilla net on the eighth minute, extended a minute later to a 1-4 to nil lead.

A pointed free got Gneeveguilla off the mark in the 10th minute. Gneeveguilla began to get their defensive organisation right, snuffing out a lot of the Glenflesk attacks, when Mike (s) Murphy flicked a high ball to net for a Gneeveguilla goal, 1-4 to 1-1, 13 minutes into the game.

The sides exchanged scores and Gneeveguilla began to dominate the midfield exchanges. A surging run forward by Conor Herlihy created a crucial goal for Gneeveguilla, his initial shot saved but Michael Murphy found the net again after a scramble in front of the goal to tie up the game in the 21st minute, 1-5 to 2-2. It was tit for tat, and the sides went in level at the break Glenflesk 1-7 Gneeveguilla 2-4

Gneeveguilla started the second half brightly with two fine points.

The sides traded two points each, before the defingin moment of the game, when Conor Herlihy, who was now dominating at midfield, set up Cornelius Buckley for a brilliantly taken goal and Gneeveguilla led 3-8 to 1-9, on the 48th minute.

Gneeveguilla extended the lead to six points with nine minutes to play and from this point on Gneeveguilla packed their defence to protect their lead. Glenflesk pressed forward notching up four points, reducing the margin to a single score three going into time added on.

Gneeveguilla defended their goal expertly in the closing stages to advance to the semi final.

The Man of the Match Award, of years membership of the Aquila Club, Gleneagle Hotel, was presented to Conor Herlihy, Gneeveguilla by Johnny Brosnan, Vice Chairman, East Kerrry Committee.

This means that Spa an Gneeveguilla join Rathmore in the draw for the Semi Finals and await the outcome of Listry V Dr Crokes quarter final, which will be fixed for the first available date.