The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Cumann na mBunscol hurling final reports
ALLIANZ CUMANN NA MBUNSCOL DIVISION 1 FINAL Ardfert NS 4-12 Lixnaw NS 5-5
THE Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Division 1 final was a repeat of last year’s pairing when the Lixnaw boys pipped their opponents by the slenderest of margins on a 4-11 to 4-10 scoreline.
When the sides met in the round robin series of games earlier this year Ardfert reversed that result on a 3-10 to 3-09 scorline so all the indications were that this final would yet again be a cracker and we were not disappointed on that front.
Ardfert won the toss and elected to play with the strong breeze in the opening half. From the throw in this game was played at a frantic pace with each side frantically competing for possession.
From the throw in Dónal O’Sullivan did a tremendous marking job on Lixnaw dangerman Darragh Conway McKenna while his midfield partner Fiachra O’Connor exerted his influence on the game from the start.
Odhrán Ferris and Fiachra O’Connor opened the Ardfert account with well taken points. Keltyn Molloy operating in goal converted Lixnaw’s first and only score of the half when he sent a long range free over the bar.
Keltyn had a busy opening half as he was tested time and time again by the Ardfert forwards and it was his contribution during this period that limited the Ardfert attack to two goals.
Fionnán Egan struck for the first and Fiachra O’Connor raced through the centre for the second. Both landed unstoppable shots. Fiachra slotted a point from play and one from a free and with the abundance of possession coming their way from a hard working defence in which Keith O’Mahony and Adam Mac Donagh were particularly prominent Odhrán Ferris sent two between the sticks while Fionnán Egan and Dónal O’Sullivan added one each to the Ardfert tally as the led at the break 2-8 to 0-1.
Lixnaw did create some scoring opportunities in this opening period but, as stated, met with a mean Ardfert defence and were unlucky with a chance or two that breezed just wide of the target.
They need a lively start to the second half if they were to rescue their title but it was Ardfert the GAA/
THREE of the Allianz Cumann Na mBunscol hurling finals were played on perfect underfoot conditions in Tom Healy Park, Abbeydorney on Thursday last.
However, the players had to contend with a very stiff breeze which was blowing towards the complex end of the pitch and all three winners used the elements wisely and wasted very few scoring chances when wind assisted.
Ardfert and Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn avenged last year’s final defeats while Dromnacurra INTO’Mini Sevens champions who sprung into action from the start of the second half with Liam Óg Ó Conchubhair striking the opening point and his brother Fiachra opening the Lixnaw defence as he burst through for a goal and a point to see his school lead 3-10 to 0-1.
Many present thought that was it, a comprehensive victory for the Ardfert boys. But the boys from Lixnaw were not prepared to die and though they saw some scoring opportunities go just wide of the target they fought back with some tremendous passages of play as Cian McMahon blasted three goals to the Ardfert net.
Keltyn Molloy found his range and sent a long range free between the posts and Darragh Conway McKenna sent two peaches over from play as Lixnaw dominated possession.
Fionnán Egan found the range from an acute angle for an Ardfert point but Ivan Conway and Cian McMahon score a goal apiece to leave this game on knives edge as the Lixnaw boys had made a Lazarus-like comeback.
With another final defeat staring them in the face the Ardfert boys regrouped with ace forward Fionnán Egan landing a goal and a point in the closing minutes to re establish his sides lead and ease the Ardfert nerves as the final whistle approached.
He was supplied with these scoring opportunities with well placed passes from Liam Óg Ó Chonchúir, Fiachra and Odhrán Ferris but the elusive forward needed all his guile to evade the tight clutches of Christopher O’Sullivan to land his match winning scores.
Lixnaw went in search of a goal but had to settle with a point from Darragh Conway McKenna in injury time and Ardfert were not to be denied winning 4-12 to 5-5. Hurling officer, Mr. Conor Kearney presented the Division 1 shield to joint captains Keith O’Mahony, Dónal O’Sullivan, Fionnán Egan and Fiachra O’Connor.
ARDFERT: Jack Moriarty, Keith O’ Mahony, Tom O’Flaherty, Gary O’Riordan, Adam Mc Donagh, Fiachra O’Connor, Dónal O’Sullivan, Liam Óg Ó Chonchubhair, Odhrán Ferris, Keelan Best, Fionnán Egan, Tiernan O’Sullivan, Alex McGrath, Jamie O’Sullivan, Seán O’Connor, Eoin O’ Flaherty, Fionn McDonagh, Ainle Foley, Eoin Lawlor, Donnacha Foley, Shane O’Connor, Liam Meade
LIXNAW: Keltyn Molloy, Gavin O’Keeffe, Christopher O’Sullivan, Kieran Stack, Micheál Nolan, Darragh Conway McKenna, Darren O’Brien, Aiden Mahony, Ivan Conway, Cian McMahon, Seán Sheehy, Denis McMahon, Lee Caffrey, Aaron O’Connell, Luke Mullins, Ruairí McCarthy. claimed a second title on the trot with a scintillating performance against near neighbours Killury.
Prior to this week’s finals Allianz Cumann na mBunscol, Ciarraí hurling officer Mr. Conor Kearney made a token presentation to Maurice Leahy on behalf of Cumann na mBunscol, Ciarraí and the North Kerry schools acknowledging his huge contribution to the promotion of hurling in the district over the last three decades.
We wish Maurice well on his retirement.