ST PATS REIGN SUPREME

St Patrick’s 4-8

Meán Scoil Nua an Leith Triúigh, Castlegregory 1-7

A SUNNY Austin Stack Park in Tralee was the venue for the Kerry Post Primary Schools Joe O’ Connor U-16 final between St Patrick’s Castleisland and Meán Scoil Nua an Leith-Triúigh, Castlegregory.

St Patricks started off the game well with an opening goal from a very dangerous Jason Brennan after he had cut through the centre to place the ball in the top right corner of the net.

Castlegregory replied with a pointed free but the St Patrick’s backs were solid and tenacious especially Garry O’Sullivan, Adam Kelly and Adam Jensen who attacked well from the back.

After a good save by custodian Padraig Hillard a six-point turnaround came from a fast break from the St Pat’s backs which yielded another Castleisland goal after the busy Jason Brennan set up Connie O’Connor to pass it into the net.

The half finished with a slick move from the 45 which resulted in a well taken goal by an impressive Nathan O’ Callaghan. The score at half time read 3-3 to 0-3 in favour of St. Pat’s.

The second half resumed with an inspirational individual score by Tadhg O’Shea who carried the ball the length of the field to kick a beautiful score.

After this, Castlegregory began to put the pressure on the Castleisland side and started eating into the deficit.

This was followed by great team scores finished off by Cronin, Brennan and Daniel Kelly.

Primary possession from the kick-outs was key to success for the Castleisland outfit with the impressive John Bell fielding a number of kickouts.

St Pat’s was defensively very solid in the second half, especially Gearoid Coffey, James Bailey, and John Curtin who repelled a number of Castlegregory attacks at goal.

A noteworthy feature of the game was the impact the substitutes had off the bench with important contributions from Sean O’Sullivan, Shane Óg McGaley, David Dillion and Darragh Kelly throughout the closing stages of the match.

After the final whistle a delighted Garry O’Sullivan accepted the trophy from Christy Killeen on behalf of St Pat’s.

This team has also qualified for the Munster semi-final and will face Thurles or Ennistymon.

Special thanks is due to coaches John Forrest and Patrick McCarthy and to Meán Scoil Nua an Leith Triúigh, Castlegregory, for a very sporting game.

The St Patrick’s Secondary School, Castleisland, team that won the Kerry Post Primary Schools U16 Joe O’Connor Shield on Tuesday by defeating Castlegregory.