County crowns for Dromid Pearses and Listry

Dromid Pearses 0-17 Firies 1-10

A DELAYED start, extra-time and a finish in near darkness all added to a crazy spectacle in Killorglin last Saturday evening as Dromid Pearses clawed themselves back from a perilous position early in the second half to emerge Premier Junior champions for 2017. While the South Kerry side had plenty of chances in the first period, it was Firies who looked the more clinical in leading by 0-6 to 0-5 at half-time before an early second-half goal from Padraig De Brúin appeared to put the East Kerry side on course for victory.

However Dromid showed immense courage to force extra-time in the first instance before Manof-the-Match Graham O’Sullivan became the telling figure in their win. Jack Sherwood had dominated proceedings in the first half for Firies as Dromid’s lead of 0-4 to 0-2 after 18 minutes could have been more but two points from Donnachadh O’Sullivan (one a free) and a William Courtney effort had their side in front for the first time with six minutes of the first-half left. The latter was a good move involving Con O’Mahony, Niall Donohoe and O’Sullivan as the lively Dilan O’Donoghue levelled matters at the other end.

Sherwood gave Firies the half-time lead and it looked like they have inflicted massive damage to Dromid’s hopes when Sherwood laid off to Browne in the 34th minute for a goal that had Firies 1-8 to 0-5 in front in difficult and testing conditions. The light didn’t quite fade on Dromid’s hopes however despite the gathering fog as Aidan ‘Shine’ O’Sullivan kicked-started their unlikely comeback in the 47th minute with their first second half point.

Denis ‘Shine’ O’Sullivan was providing great inspiration in his side edging closer to an unlikely reversal. When O’Donoghue forced a great save from Billy O’Rourke and Graham O’Sullivan rattled the post with nine minutes left it looked like Firies’ luck was in but their opponents never gave up the belief they could overhaul the deficit.

As Firies retreated in trying to close out their win, Dromid advanced forward and drew four scoreable frees which Thomas Curran converted in the absence of O’Donoghue and the game was incredibly level after normal time at 1-8 to 0-11. The need to send a representative out in the Munster Junior Club Championship this weekend meant that there had to be a winner and extra-time was played with the assistance of the training lights at the JP O’Sullivan Park pitch. The first period was all about Graham O’Sullivan as the former All-Ireland Minor winner scored Dromid’s three points, Donnachadh O’Sullivan ending Firies’ 30 minute scoring drought but it was advantage Dromid at 0-14 to 1-9 despite losing Kevin O’Leary to a black card.

His namesake Graham finished with four points but it was a point from substitute Eoin O’Leary that gave Dromid a crucial four point lead midway through the second period meaning the best Firies could hope for at that stage was probably further stalemate. Donnachadh O’Sullivan gave Firies an outside chance with his fifth point but it was Thomas Curran’s fifth point that ensured Dromid’s four point win and complete a 10 point turnaround. Overall Dromid just about deserved it for their persistence even if they wasted more than they converted at times. Firies won’t lack regret about the manner in which they allowed them back into it but the East Kerry side is a young one that should learn well for down the line.

Killorglin again proved to be a happy hunting ground for Dromid as their bid to become to the first Kerry side to win the title twice at Munster Junior level begins in Clare this Sunday much like it did back in 2011. After winning a County title without having to travel north of Saturday’s venue, they will relish another trip to the north-west of the province. DROMID PEARSES: Brian O’Leary, Cian O’Shea, Dominic O’Sullivan, Shane O’Connor, Denis S O’Sullivan, Graham O’Sullivan (0-4), Padraig O’Sullivan, Kevin O’Leary, Aidan O’Sullivan (0-1), Gearóid J O’Sullivan, Chris Farley (0-3, 2f), Kevin Sheehan (0-1), Dilan O’Donoghue (0-2), Thomas Curran (0-5, 5f), Niall O’Shea Subs: Keelan Farley for Sheehan, John GG O’Shea for O’Donoghue, Padraig Sheehan for Denis S O’Sullivan, Kevin Sheehan for Kevin O’Leary (Black Card), Eoin O’Leary (0-1) for Gearóid J O’Sullivan, Niall O’Connor for John GG O’Shea.

FIRIES: Billy O’Rourke, Padraig O’Connor, James O’Donoghue, Josh Flynn, Niall Donohoe, Stephen Foley, Padraig Browne, Con O’Mahony, Shane O’Donoghue (0-1), Jack Sherwood (0-2), Colm O’Shea, Padraig De Brúin (1-0), William Courtney (0-2), Donnachadh O’Sullivan (0-5, 3f), Conal Murphy. Subs: Mike Daly for Murphy, Dan O’Shea for Browne, Liam Brosnan for Courtney, Diarmuid O’Mahony for De Brúin, Ed Kerrisk for Con O’Mahony, Padraig De Brúin for James O’Donoghue, William Courtney for Shane O’Donoghue, Patrick Daly for Brosnan.

REFEREE: Seamus Mulvihill (St Senans)