Three-in-a-rows for Rathmore and St Marys

SOUTH KERRY SFC FINAL St Mary’s 1-15 Skellig Rangers 1-6

MORE individual aces, a much more potent scoring spread, and, a lot more resourceful, especially in attack, were ingredients which ensured St Marys retained the South Kerry Championship title deservedly and in the end quite comfortably in the Con Keating Park, Cahersiveen last Saturday.

There’s the age old adage which suggests that in Championship finals form goes out the window, but, in this particular decider, St Marys had a lot more in their favour coming into the game, given that, they had this season regained their Division One status in the County League, having already won the All Ireland Intermediate title.

In addition they had won five South Kerry titles since Skellig Rangers last success in 2010, and were endeavouring to complete another three in a row. Add in the Bryan Sheehan factor, and, it was difficult to look beyond the town side.

Credit Skellig Rangers for providing formidable opposition for long periods, and indeed it was only in the final quarter that the issue was put firmly beyond doubt. However, after St Marys had regained the lead, late in the opening half, having fallen behind early on to Diarmuid Keating’s goal for Skellig Rangers, the Portmagee combination were subsequently battling against the odds, and whenever they did threaten to overhaul the deficit on the scoreboard the defending champions were always able to respond with a number of unanswered scores.

Rangers could, and maybe should, have had a goal in the very first minute, with the impressive Diarmuid Keating electing to pass across the face of the goal, when he could maybe have taken on the chance himself.

St Marys were two points in front after three minutes, and, after Ciaran Keating, who started at midfield, but within minutes had reverted to the inside line had twice failed to capitalise with successive ‘45’s, Daniel Daly who was extremely influential in the early stages, kicked his second point, and his side’s third after seven minutes.

The silken skilled Ciaran Keating with a neat turn and a precise finish opened Skellig’s scoring account one minute later, and, a goal from Diarmuid Keating in the 12th minute afforded Rangers a tremendous boost, when he used his strength and balance along the end line, before applying an inch perfect finish at the near post. A Ciaran Keating free extended that lead to 1-2 to 0-3 at the start of the second quarter, but three pointed frees in a seven minute spell, two from Sean Cournane, edged St Marys back in front, with six minutes left in the half.

With Denis Daly and Bryan Sheehan ruling the roost in midfield and Daly converting a superb effort from distance, replicated by a similar effort from his midfield partner, the locals took a 0-8 to 1-2 lead to the dressing rooms for the interval break, and with four different scorers on target in comparison to just two for Rangers it fairly reflected the trend of proceedings during that opening half.

Rangers restarted with more urgency with Ciaran Keating prominent in midfield, but, kicked two early wides, and, after Aidan Walsh and Ciaran Keating with another pointed free had swapped points at opposite ends, Rangers had a gilt edged opportunity to level matters when Brian Hickey was denied by the crossbar after goalkeeper Austin Constable had failed to deal with a high delivery. It proved to be a pivotal moment in proceedings with Marys stepping up a gear, even if, Rangers were still very much in touch, 0-11 to 1-5, at the end of the third quarter.

Paul O’Donoghue as he had done throughout, provided the impetus with some surging runs, equally Aidan Walsh, who was every inch a shining light, Conor O Shea was the link with the support from deep positions and the platform in the middle third was maintained by the dominant midfield partnership of Denis Daly and Bryan Sheehan.

Substitute Sean Courtney did provide Rangers with a much needed spark in attack, but Marys were largely dictating matters, even if, they didn’t fully transfer their superiority into scores, kicking a few bad wides from good positions. Five ahead with as many minutes of normal time remaining the issue was put completely beyond doubt in the fifty seventh minute when Anthony Cournane got the vital touch to a high delivery and steered the ball over the line to seal what was in the end a pretty comfortable victory.

On reflection Rangers could well have got a few more goals, but one always felt that Marys had the capability to influence the outcome. They also had leaders in every line, but most especially amongst the middle eight. While Rangers’ resilience and resolve always kept their fading hopes alive, the defending champions were full value for another three in a row, and must be odds on to add on another next season and complete a four in a row, a feat they last achieved in the 1940s. ST MARYS: Austin Constable, Darragh O’Sullivan, Brian Curran, Ian Casey, Daniel O’Sullivan, Conor O’Shea, Niall O’Driscoll, Denis Daly (0-1), Bryan Sheehan (0-4, 3f), Aidan Walsh (0-2), Daniel Daly (0-3), Paul O’Donoghue (0-1), Anthony Cournane (1-0), Sean Cournane (0-4f), Conor Quirke. Sub: Adam Quirke for C Quirke (B/C)

SKELLIG RANGERS: Padraig O’Sullivan, Stephen L O’Sullivan, Stephen O’Sullivan, Gerard O’Sullivan, Brendan Murphy, Bernard Walsh, Seamus O’Sullivan, Anthony O’Driscoll, Christopher Driscoll, John Murphy, Ronan O’Shea, Brendan O’Sullivan, Diarmuid Keating (1-0), Brian Hickey (0-1), Ciaran Keating (0-5, 4f). Subs: Michael O’Sullivan for J Murphy, Alan Devane for B O’Sullivan, Aidan O’Sullivan for Seamus O’Sullivan, Sean Courtney for B Hickey, Martin O’Sullivan for A Devane (B/C) Brian Murphy for C O’Driscoll.

REFEREE: Brendan Griffin (Clounmacon)