No change at the top but Duagh get vital derby win over Beale

DIVISION FOUR

NO change in the top two positions but Lispole will be eyeing up this weekend as an opportunity to pull out in front as a 1-15 to 0-10 over Sneem/Derrynane sees their 100% record continue.

Cathal O’Sullivan’s goal coming towards half-time was key for the hosts as Ronan Hussey and Ian Galvin did the scoring for the visitors in the first period but they trailed by 1-9 to 0-6 at the break. Tom Kavanagh, Cathal and Declan O’Sullivan maintained Lispole’s advantage throughout the second period in recording an eight point win as they head to Keel this weekend for a back game that could put them out in front on their own if they get a result from the Mid Kerry venue.

Skellig Rangers continue to stay apace with Lispole as they had five points to spare over Scartaglin on home turf in Portmagee. Three Brendan O’Sullivan points were key in giving them a 0-5 to 0-2 lead at the break as Padraig Reidy and Pa Rahilly from a free were the East Kerry side’s only scores in the first period.

Four unanswered points at the start of the second half played a big part in the South Kerry side’s 0-11 to 0-6 as they will watch this weekend’s proceedings in Keel with interest.

Castlegregory will also have an interest in the match although they are no longer third on their own in the table after being held to a 1-15 apiece draw in Farranfore against Firies. They lost a player after 20 minutes but didn’t looked too perturbed when Jimmy O’Grady scored 1-2 without reply. However a Mike Daly goal and two Jack Sherwood points brought Firies level at 1-8 apiece at the break.

A run of five unanswered points seemed to give the hosts control of the game but Alan Fitzgerald and Anton Kelliher hauled Castle back towards the end for a share of the spoils.

Keel managed to put themselves in the promotion picture with a tight 1-12 to 1-10 win over Renard that sees them level now on points with Castle. They shaded the early exchanges by 0-4 to 0-3 before Martin Burke’s goal coming towards half-time gave them a lead of a 1-5 to 0-4 at half-time. Mark Sugrue and Dara Fitzgerald brought the visitors back into the game after the restart but Keel were still leading at the time of Renard’s goal with seven minutes left.

Keel lost the influential Burke but Aaron Murphy scored two insurance points in securing their win.

Dr Crokes B moved up the table as they had a comprehensive win over Tarbert in Shannon Park. Mikey Casey scored a goal early on to give Crokes an ideal start as despite Shane O’Connor replying at the other end for the hosts, they found themselves trailing by 1-10 to 1-2 at the break. Paul Clarke scored a goal straight from the restart for the Killarney side as Chris Doncel scored a third goal for them before the end in a comprehensive 3-15 to 1-5 success. Dr Crokes now have a back game with Scartaglin this weekend, a game the latter desperately need a result in at the other end of the table.

Duagh edged Beale by 1-11 to 1-8 in Ballybunion in moving clear of the relegation zone for the moment meanwhile.

Both back games this weekend will no doubt have a bearing on the next full set of fixtures a week later as we move past the halfway point.