Senior league gets underway in East Kerry

THE East Kerry Senior League got under way last weekend with six games.

In division 1A Rathmore and Kilcummin proved the stronger against Killarney Legion and Currow, respectively. Rathmore were quick out of the traps with a goal by corner forward John Moynihan in the opening three minutes and this was swiftly followed by two neat points.

Darragh O’Doherty opened Killarney Legion’s account with a fine solo effort and the reminder of the half was evenly contested. A red card gave Killarney Legion a numerical advantage and they capitalised on that with a Conor Culloty goal.

That left the half time score at 1-9 to 1-4 in favour of Rathmore. The second half saw little change in the pattern of the game as the visitors pushed on and thanks to two goals by Eoin Lawlor they finished out the game to win by nine points. This was despite the best effort of Jamie O’Sullivan whose accuracy best served the home side.

In the second game of Division 1A, Kilcumin proved the stronger when they travelled to Currow. Final score Kilcummin 1-22 Currow 3-09.

Glenflesk and Gneeveguilla took the league points in Division 1B, against Listry and Spa respectively. In what was a good run out for the teams, visitors Glenflesk played with the benefit of a strong wind in the first half. Glenflesk led 0-5 to 0-2 before Dara Roche took a return pass from brother Ian and rattled the Listry net, giving the goal keeper no chance.

A brace of Glenflesk points had the visitors ahead 1-7 to 0-3 going into second quarter. Three Listry points to two for Glenflesk left the score at the break: Glenflesk 1-8 Listry 0-5.

Listry had the better of the second half and had reduced the gap to a single score, 1-8 to 0-8 within four minutes. The sides traded points and the gap remained a single score 1-9 to 0-9 on the 39th minute.

A scatter of points saw the margin increased to 5 points 1-12 to 0-10 with four minutes of normal time remaining. In an exciting end to the game, Listry sent a daisycutter goalwards but a great save by the Glenflesk goal keeper Kenny Cronin, denied the home side a goal. Listry did find the target in the last minutes scoring 2 points, one from a penalty.

In Gneeveguilla, the home side pulled ahead in the opening half and led 1-11 to 1-2 at the short whistle, through a Padraig O’Sullivan goal. Spa fought back in the second half and narrowed the gap. However, they were left with too much to do and Gneeveguilla ran out winners on a final scoreline of Gneeeguilla 1-14 Spa 2-9.

Division 2

FIRIES proved too strong for home side Scartaglin in the opening round of the Frank Donran Safeguard Security East Kerry Senior League last Sunday. Firies led 3-06 to 0-2 at half time with their goals being scored by Colm O’Shea, Ed Kerrisk and Mike Daly.

Scartaglin got off to a good start in the second half with Niall Casey scoring 2 goals, both from the penalty spot inside the first five minutes. However, Firies got back on track, notching up six points without reply. Two points a piece in the closing stages left Firies comfortably ahead at the final whistle – Firies 3-14 Scartaglin 2-5.

Templenoe came out on top over a Cordal side with many young players, clinching victory in the first game of Division 2. Templenoe played with the wind advantage in the first half and got off to a good start.

Two early points from Pat Spillane Jr and a strong showing from Denis O’Neil and Stephen O’Sullivan, set the visitors on the path to victory.

Cordal’s Philip O’Connor played a leaders role and raised the white flag raised twice. Sean Walsh made his mark with his first score as a senior player in the 21st minute. At half time, Templenoe held a four point lead, on a scoreline of Templenoe 1-7 Cordal 0-6.

The second half began with a strong offensive from Templenoe, who kicked four points in the third quarter. Cordal hed the comeback in the final quarter. A point by T.J O’Connor in the 26th minute followed by a goal from Brian Reidy a minute later, left only a single score between the sides, as the final whistle approached. Cordal played hard to level the game but Templenoe held their lead. A last minute point from Templenoe’s John Moriarty finished the game – Templenoe 1-13 Cordal 1-9.

Sem

ST Brendans College played St Flannans in the Frewen Cup last Wednesday in Rathkeale.

The game was played in a tight pitch testing the physical shape of the St Brendans College team unit. This semi final test was a true examination with both sides gaining momentum over the hour the battle lines were drawn.

This high scoring game watched by a large vocal attendance proved a classic match. Despite leading for three quarters of the match the game was in the balance at the death as St Flannans poured forward seeking a point to level the match.

Working hard all over the pitch the St Brendan’s College team ground out a massive team victory in a tense finish. Best of luck to the management and players in the provincial decider in March.

Congratulations

CONGRATUALTIONS to Spa Set Dancers on winning the All Ireland Final of Scór na nÓg in Belfast last Saturday. Well done to the Spa Quiz team who scored an impressive 56 points, just two points behind the winners. Both teams did their families, clubs, the District and County proud. Comhgardachas dibh.

Well done to Dr Crokes Senior team on winning the All Ireland Club Championship semi-final last Saturday. The very best of luck in the Final on St Patricks day in Croke Park. Beir Bua.

FIXTURES

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 2pm East Kerry Senior League Division 1A Kilcummin V Killarney Legion Dr Crokes V Currow Division 1B Fossa V Listry Glenflesk V Gneeveguilla Division 2 Firies V Cordal Scar taglin V Templenoe