Castlegregory, Lispole and Keel set the early pace

THREE sides towards the west of the county have set the early pace in Division Four as Castlegregory, Lispole and Keel are the ones to lead the way with two wins from two.

Castlegregory beat fellow promoted side Duagh on home turf thanks to three first half goals in particular. All three came in the first 11 minutes of proceedings as Alan Fitzgerald set up Jordan Quirke for their first, Colm O’Mahony followed up soon after with their second and Anton Kelliher completed a magnificent start for the hosts. Daniel O’Donoghue and Ger McCarthy kept Duagh somewhat in touch at the break but they still found themselves trailing by3-3to0-6.

Fitzgerald continued to dictate the pace of the game in the second period as the second half was a lot more stop-start and physical affair. Aaron O’Connor did manage to score a consolation goal for the visitors before the end but they still went down on a final scoreline of 3-9 to 1-8.

Three goals were also a key factor in Mid Kerry side Keel’s win away to Sneem/Derrynane as they won out by a near enough total to Castlegregory’s of 3-8 to 0-6 in Sneem. Lispole also scored 17 points in their win away to Firies however it came by means of a 2-11 total as the four goals on the day all came in the first-half of proceedings in Farranfore. The visitors got theirs early in proceedings as Aaron Moriarty and Declan O’Sullivan helped Lispole set the early pace and take a 2-6 to 2-2 lead at half-time.

A fine individual goal by Con O’Mahony and a Conal Murphy penalty had kept Firies in touch at the break but Lispole were always able to keep them at arm’s length in the second period in recording a 2-11 to 2-5 win. South Kerry side Renard were also victors away from home at the weekend scoring three second-half goals at Scartaglin to secure a 3-12 to 1-8 victory. They led by 0-8 to 0-5 at half-time but really pushed on in the second period as two Brian O’Sullivan goals sent them on their way to a 10 point win with Brendan Rahilly scoring a consolation goal for the hosts near the end. Four teams have no points from the first two games although Dr Crokes B only had their first outing this weekend going down to Skellig Rangers by 1-11 to 0-12 in Portmagee.

Tarbert wait for their first points alongside Crokes, Scart and Sneem/Derrynane as well after losing out in a North Kerry derby to Beale by 2-9 to 1-8. Two of the leading three are at home in the next round in two weeks time, Castlegregory hosting Sneem/ Derrynane while Lispole entertain Beale.

Keel are on the road, meanwhile, as they head up north to face Tarbert, while the other three games in round three see Dr Crokes host Firies in an East Kerry derby, Renard face Skellig Rangers in a South Kerry derby while Duagh are at home to Scartaglin.