The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Skellig and Dromid must go again
AS many predicted this contest in Dromid was too close to call and it certainly lived up to expectations. It was a tense gruelling encounter and considering it was so close for an hour and a half both teams deserve a lot of credit for the sporting manner in which the game was played.
Skellig Rangers opened the scoring with a point from a Ciaran Keating free and this was quickly followed in the seventh minute with a fine solo effort from Ronan O’Shea. Dromid registered in the 13th minute through Niall O’Shea and equalised shortly after with a pointed free.
At this stage Skellig Rangers were having the better of things around the middle with Ronan O’Shea being the main catalyst for most of their attacks. He was ably assisted by Bernard Walsh and third midfielder Anthony Driscoll whose tackling was ferocious at times. Ciarán Keating added another free to his tally to leave Skellig Rangers looking comfortable with a four points to two advantage at half-time.
There were obviously alarm bells in the Dromid dressing room at half-time as they emerged with the two Shine brothers now at midfield and Thomas Curran operating at full-forward.
However, it was Diarmuid Keating of Skellig Rangers that opened the second half scoring with a 40 metre point in the 36th minute. Dromid responded with two Chris Farley points before Diarmuid Keating got the second of his brace on the 43rd minute.
Farley was now starting to dominate things around the Dromid 40 with his driving runs and enviable workrate. Dromid were rewarded for their pressure with a Niall O’Shea point in the 46th minute which left the sides six points a piece.
Skellig Rangers responded by introducing the heroes of the ‘06 campaign Brian Hickey and Sean Courtney. They now proceeded to get a grip on the game with two unanswered points the highlight being a beautiful left peg curler from the touchline by Brian Hickey followed by a neat close range effort by Sean Courtney.
It looked all over for Dromid. Yet the glimmer of hope lay in the fact that full-forward Thomas Curran had two near misses following high ball delivered to the square in the previous seven minutes.
Dromid never gave up, and following a sweeping move. Thomas Curran got his just rewards with a close range effort that bulged the roof of the net. Dromid a point up with three minutes to play could they hold out?
After some nervous play around the middle from both sides Skellig Rangers were awarded a free from about 40 yards out. Up stepped their former Kerry Under 21 star Ciarán Keating who made no mistake and planted it firmly over the black spot.
Tied game with the final whistle and both sides look relieved.
Extra time produced the same template as the second half, Skellig Rangers dominating possession and scoring in the first, fourth and seventh minute before Dromid responded with a point in the eighth.
From the resulting kick out Aidan Shine fielded magnificently before unloading to Niall O’Shea. The ball was worked across the face of the Skellig Rangers goal before substitute Keelin Farley fisted to the net.
Half-time in extra time and Dromid one point up again! The second period was a dour affair with hard tackling but no side willing to take chances and it was fitting that the only score of the half was kicked by the Skellig Rangers marksman Ciaran Keating in the last minute.
A skilful long range effort that put the cream on a fine four point personal performance that tied the game. Best for Skellig Rangers were Ciaran Keating, Diarmuid Keating, and Ronan Shea while Chris Farley, Shane Connor and the Shines as usual gave all.
Both sides go back to Portmagee for the replay next Sunday at 1.30pm. The Skellig Rangers club wish to assure all those coming to the game that a traffic management plan with details of the temporary flyover will be forwarded to all clubs during the week.
This is in response to the closure of a bridge in the vicinity of the football field by KCC. For any other details contact Kevin Martin. SKELLIG RANGERS: P O’Sullivan,S O’Sullivan, S O’Sullivan.G O’Sullivan, B. Murphy, R O’Shea 0-1, S. O’Sullivan ,B Walsh C. Keating 0-4, M. Keating 0-1, D. Keating 0-2, B. O’Sullivan A. Driscoll, M.o Sullivan Subs: B. Hickey 0-1, M. Sullivan 0-1, S. Courtney 0-2, D Sullivan DROMID PEARSES: B O’Laoire, S O’Comchubhair , A O’Suilleabhain, P O’Suilleabhain, G. O’Suilleabhain. D O’Suilleabhain. D.m. Suilleabhain T Curran 1-0, C. O’Laoire C Ó Nullan. N. O’Shea 0-2, SG O’Shea. C. O’Suillebhain, C. O’Fairrcheallaigh 0-3, D. Donnchu Subs: D. Shine 0-1, K. Farley 1-0 FIXTURES SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19 South Kerry SFC Waterville v St Marys, Waterville 2.30pm (semi-final) SUN, NOVEMBER 20 South Kerry SFC Skellig Rangers v Dromid, Por tmagee 1.30pm (replay)