The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Mid Kerry stun a fancied East Kerry outfit
COUNTY U-21 FC SEMI-FINAL Mid Kerry 3-15 East Kerry 1-10
GOALS, and indeed goal chances, largely decided this.
Ten goal opportunities were created, five apiece, four scored and the three which Mid Kerry converted were quite crucial to the outcome particularly the two within a minute in the opening half that opened up a significant scoring gap.
Thereafter Mid Kerry were always able to respond whenever their scoring advantage was threatened by an East Kerry side who battled bravely, but on the basis of the exchanges overall it was the more resourceful and productive Mid Kerry combination who deserved to progress.
Mid Kerry were two points to the good inside the opening two minutes of play, but an emphatic finish to the roof of the net by Ian Roche edged East Kerry in front after he had capitalised on a defensive lapse.
This particular score separated the sides 1-2 0-2 after eight minutes and they maintaned it for a period with East Kerry largely operating with a blanket defensive formation. They could well have had a second goal in the thirteenth minute when Cormac Leane brilliantly denied Dean Fitzgerald.
However, with Liam Carey effecting some defence splitting runs, and the impressive David Costello landing his first score the encounter was deadlocked 1-2 0-5 at the end of the first quarter.
Further goal chances at opposite ends with two of the wing backs being denied, Gavin Horan by the crossbar and Shane O’Donoghue with a shot which went across the face of the goal and narrowly wide.
The twenty sixth minute proved to be crucial with Mid Kerry striking twice for successive goals, both converted neatly and clinically by the Beaufort duo Liam Carey and Darragh Coffey.
Two more unanswered points meant that Mid Kerry had opened up a pretty significant scoring gap (2-8 1-2) by the interval break with five different players having contributed to the scoring.
East Kerry restarted with a lot more urgency and three pointed frees from Ronan Buckley reduced the deficit to six within three minutes of the restart. It could well have been better for them with Shane O’Donoghue twice being denied of a goal in quick succession by goal line saves.
However, after he had converted a superb point from play David Costello firmly put Mid Kerry back in the driving seat when he reacted and rifled a rocket to the roof of the East Kerry net after Shane Ryan had initially effected a good save from Caolim Teahan’s effort.
Back in front by nine points 3-9 1-6 after forty minutes Mid Kerry were still comfortable and in control at the end of the third quarter 3-10 1-8. Liam Carey continued to be a central and influential figure for them, along with David Costello while Gavin Mc Kenna was seen to some very good effect in both defensive and offensive situations.
Goal chances continued to be created at opposite ends with East Kerry once again being denied by the crossbar. However, Mid Kerry defending in numbers coped quite well under a period of sustained pressure, and, they had the pace and the required level of support play to capitalise in counter attacking situations with Daniel MacBeth adding further to their tally of scorers.
Wing-back Gavin Horan with the final score sealed the issue capping a fine team performance which overall was notable for some resolute defending, clinical finishing and a few outstanding individual displays.
Tim Coffey, joint Manager of Mid Kerry was understandably chuffed with his side’s display.
“We started well, conceded a goal, what we would call a soft goal, struggled for a while, and then, we stuck two goals, probably, four five minutes before half time, and, from there on it set the trend.
“Our lads got more confidence, but, saying that, in the second half we had two goal line saves by our defenders as well, so, East Kerry could just as easily have struck for a couple of more goals.
“We have got a few goals all right [twelve in their three championship games] and I suppose the saying is that goals win games, the important thing is if we can keep doing that.
“We are in the final, it’s a big step for Mid Kerry, but still these are a very committed bunch of players and look, we will give it our best shot once we are there now. A lot of these fellows played at the top level, Kerry minor, Under 21, so I suppose the cream really comes to the top when you need those fellows, and, I think there was some very good movement in them this evening.”
Tim Ryan, Chairman of the East Kerry Board felt his side were just a little bit unlucky.
“We didn’t have the luck tonight, came off the woodwork a couple of times, off the line, some good saves, and, I suppose on the night we just weren’t going to get those goals.
“We got a goal in the first attack and after that, the last five minutes before half time I think the game was decided. They got two fast goals in the space of a few minutes and that had an awful bearing on the game.
“It was hard to come back from that one [third goal] again, and look, no excuses, the better team won on the night. We had a few injuries, and, we were down a few lads, but, we have no complaints.” EAST KERRY: Shane Ryan (Rathmore), Shane Courtney (Glenflesk), DJ Murphy (Gneevguilla), Josh Flynn (Firies), Dara Lehane (Listry), TJ Friel (Rathmore), Shane O’Donoghue (Firies), Matt Keane (Kilcummin) (0-1), Finbarr Murphy (Legion), Ronan Buckley (Listry) (0-6, 5f), Rob Leen (Legion), Donal Lyne (Legion) (0-2), Ian Roche (Glenflesk) (1-0), Dan O’Connell (Fossa), Dean Fitzgerald (Rathmore) Subs: Matt Rennie (Fossa) for F Murphy, Joe Clifford (Listry) (0-1) for D O’Connell, Padraig O’Connor (Firies) for S Courtney, Oscar O’Connor (Kilcummin) for R Buckley, Sean Lucey (Glenflesk) for R Leen MID KERRY: Cormac Leane (Milltown/ Castlemaine), Mike Breen (Beaufort), Aidan Cox (Laune Rangers), Gavin Evans (Keel), Gavin Mc Kenna (Milltown/Castlemaine), Sean Kelliher (Beaufort) Gavin Horan (Milltown/Castlemaine) (0-1), John Tyther (Laune Rangers), David Roche (Milltown/Castlemaine), Darren Houlihan (Cromane) (0-1), Liam Carey (Beaufort) (14, 0-2f), Caolim Teahan (Glenbeigh/Glencar) (0-1f), Niall O’Connor (Beaufort) (0-2, 1f), Daniel Griffin (Glenbeigh/Glencar), David Costello (Laune Rangers) (1-5, 0-2f) Subs: Darragh Coffey (Beaufort) (1-0) for D Houlihan, Daniel MacBeth (Laune Rangers) (0-1) for D Griffin, Cormac O’Connor (Beaufort) for A Cox, Pierce Tyther (Laune Rangers) for N O’Connor
REFEREE: Paul O Sullivan (Dromid Pearses)