Ghaeltacht push for a final place

DESMONDS GO DOWN AS STACKS TEETER ON BRINK OF RELEGATION

DIVISION ONE

IT’S been obvious for a number of rounds that the real battle is to see who will play Dr Crokes in the League Final. Crokes can make absolutely certain that they will be there with a point against Dingle in a back game Thursday night but on their first year back in the top flight An Ghaeltacht are making a great fist of trying to reach their first decider in 10 years. A 2-16 to 1-10 win over Kerins O’Rahillys on Sunday gives them sole possession of second place for now.

Sean M Ó Conchúir with both their goals as they led by 1-8 to 0-6 at the break before scoring his second 10 minutes after the restart.

Cian Ó Murchú and Dara Ó Sé impressed for the West Kerry side in their win as Danny O’Sullivan, Gearóid Dillane and Tom Hoare tried hard for Strand Road in defeat. Padraig Griffin scored a consolation goal for O’Rahillys as they remain just above the relegation zone ahead of their closing games away to St Marys and at home to Templenoe.

Another potential re-occurrence from the year 2007 could be that Austin Stacks are relegated from the top flight as they were that year as they lost for the sixth time in the competition this year to Glenbeigh/Glencar last Sunday. The Mid Kerry side scored goals through their corner-forwards Kieran Courtney and Daniel Griffin to lead by 2-8 to 1-4 at half-time, Darragh O’Brien’s goal giving Stacks a glimmer of hope.

Stacks couldn’t find the inspiration necessary to turn matters around in the second period however as they lost out by 2-14 to 1-12, David Mannix finishing with nine points (six frees) as Gavan O’Grady scored seven points (two frees) for the All-Ireland Junior Club champions.

Even with wins over An Ghaeltacht and Rathmore in their closing games it is out of Stacks’ hands with results needing to go their way elsewhere.

None of the Tralee teams won at the weekend as John Mitchels were undone by four Templenoe goals as the Kenmare District side took a big step towards safety. They led by 2-9 to 1-6 at half-time after a run of 2-6 without reply before a penalty and a fourth goal saw them on to a 4-11 to 1-13 win.

With Desmonds in Round 10, Templenoe appear to be in a strong position especially as the Castleisland side became the first side to be relegated in this year’s League with a ninth consecutive loss. They didn’t go down without a fight against St Marys however turning a 3-8 to 1-6 deficit at the break into a 4-12 to 1-18 defeat at the final whistle.

Thomas Hickey scored the first goal of the game from a penalty but Paul O’Donoghue, Darren Casey and Sean Cournane responded with goals for the visitors as they led by eight points at the break. Desmonds would score the first six points after the restart to make it a two point game but a second Darren Casey goal had St Marys back in charge as they had too much in hand in going on to win by three.

St Marys close with Kerins O’Rahillys and their Intermediate semi-dinal opponents in An Ghaeltacht.

Rathmore have a back game with Templenoe on Friday evening, one they will want to win to draw level with An Ghaeltacht in the battle for second.