Kilgarvan footballers to contest their first county final in 29 years

COUNTY NOVICE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL Kilgarvan 4-18 Ballylongford 3-10

FOR the first time in 29 years, Kilgarvan will take part in a Championship Football Final in Kerry after they had 11 points to spare over Ballylongford in Cordal last Sunday afternoon. Although the Kenmare District club have won the Novice Shield in the early part of the Millennium they will face either Asdee or Knocknagoshel in the decider after last reaching a Championship decider in 1989 when they lost to St Pats/

Blennerville.

They won a high scoring encounter at the East Kerry venue despite conceding the opening goal of the game. That came from Ballylongford’s Brian Murphy in the opening minute but Kilgarvan would respond with three green flags themselves in the first-half. Patrick O’Shea scored their first goal as a run of points had them 1-6 to 1-1 ahead after 14 minutes. Ciaran O’Connor and Murphy scored points for the North Kerry side but a goal from Donal Down O’Sullivan and a second from O’Shea was the spur for Kilgarvan to go on and lead by 3-12 to 1-5 at the break.

Ballylongford were offered a glimmer of hope coming towards the three-quarter

mark as they were awarded two penalties, both for leg blocks, as Ciaran O’Connor converted both to keep them in touch heading into the final 10 minutes trailing by 3-15 to 3-8. Daniel Casey put pay to any thoughts of an incredible turnaround however with Kilgarvan’s fourth goal as their better skill and team work saw them get the better of their Division Four opponents.

On the weekend of May 20th they will find out their opponents when Asdee and Knocknagoshel play the other Semi-Final. After putting up big scores in their wins over Tuosist and Ballylongford in the space of one week they will enter with a lot of confidence for the decider whomever their opponents are.