Derby win sends Ballylongford to top

AFTER three games, three 100% records remain, but it is Ballylongford who lead the way for now after getting the better of local rivals Asdee in a North Kerry derby.

Although Mike Breen got the first goal of the game for the visitors, Ballylongford responded through Darren Murphy three minutes later, however, to take a 1-4 to 1-2 lead at half-time with the crossbar denying Eoin Kennedy a second goal for Asdee.

Ciaran O’Connor scored the hosts second goal from the penalty spot and while the crossbar appeared to have denied Ballylongford a goal themselves, Kenneth Foley was on hand to put in the rebound just before the three-quarter mark to end the game as a contest.

Darragh Keane and Michael Tydings scored consolation goals for the visitors prior to the final whistle, but Ballylongford still ran out 3-10 to 3-4 winners ahead of their Preliminary match in the Junior Championship with Kilgarvan this weekend.

Kilgarvan’s game with Austin Stacks B did not go ahead but the other B team in Rathmore returned to action with a high scoring win away to Moyvane by 4-9 to 2-12. Churchill, Ballyduff and Tuosist all picked up their first wins of the campaign at the weekend, the St Brendans side’s win came at the expense of Cromane who lost their 100% record courtesy of 1-14 to 0-11 victory on home turf.

Churchill made the most of the elements in the first period, Ivan Parker scoring their goal which was also the game’s first score as six points from Killian Fitzgerald helped them to a 1-10 to 0-4 lead at half-time. Paul Patrick O’Sullivan and Liam Walsh did their best to try and make amends for the Mid Kerry side in the second period, but it couldn’t prevent them going down by six points in the finish as Cathal Rodgers and Michael O’Brien impressed for the victors.

Tuosist also made good use of the breeze in the first period in their win at home to Valentia in going in leading by 1-6 to 0-2 at half-time. John Shanahan might have scored the opening point of the game for the visitors, but only Ger O’Shea managing to add to it in the opening period as a Mike Tim O’Sullivan penalty and points from Flor O’Sullivan and Thomas Harrington amongst others helped them to their seven point lead at the break.

The former scored Tuosist’s second goal in the 39th minute and although Paul O’Connor managed to get a goal for Valentia, it still couldn’t prevent a 2-9 to 1-8 victory for the Kenmare District side.

Ballyduff’s first win meanwhile came via a very tight 1-8 to 1-7 success away to Knocknagoshel. The visitors had the aid of the breeze in the first period and John Paul Leahy was very effect for Ballyduff in giving them a 0-6 to 0-2 interval lead, Niall Barrett and David O’Donoghue Knock’s only point scorers in the first-half.

Chris White’s goal in the second-half further cemented Ballyduff’s advantage although the hosts did come close to making amends before the end. Barrett scored their goal through a free late on but there was to be no time for Knocknagoshel to find an equaliser.

The victors will hope for a boost from this as they face Churchill this weekend with Round Four spread out over three weekends in the coming month. Knocknagoshel’s next league game is away to Ballylongford on the weekend of April 23 while due to the Bye for the round, Moyvane will not play their next game in the league until the June Bank Holiday Weekend!