Draw enough to send Gneeveguilla to Division 3

DIVISION FOUR

ONE of the three promotion spots was officially decided as Gneeveguilla’s long march for a swift return to Division Three was confirmed with a draw at home to Skellig Rangers on Sunday, but we must wait for confirmation of the other two. They had to overcome a poor start as well as a six point deficit at half-time but five points straight from the restart as well as a closing brace of points were enough to confirm their promotion. Skellig started with 1-1 to take the early iniative and it looked even better for the South Kerry side as they led by 1-9 to 0-6 at the break.

A more determined restart for the hosts had them back within a point however but Skellig looked set to make sure of their Division Four status late on in leading by two before the hosts got the points they needed to ensure a 1-11 to 0-14 draw. A win away to Cordal will be required on the final day by Gneeveguilla to secure the title but the main thing is they are going straight back to Division Three. Skellig are still not guaranteed safety after the draw but their chances are in their own hands ahead of their closing game at home to Fossa.

Fossa leapfrogged Firies into the second promotion spot as the hosts scored three goals to win this East Kerry derby on home turf by 3-12 to 1-13.

Fossa looked in control at the break in leading by 2-7 to 0-8 with Chris Myers and Tadhg O’Shea from the penalty spot getting their two goals. The dismissal of Fintan Coffey however brought Firies back into proceedings with a goal following soon after for the visitors. Colin Myers did well to keep Firies at bay in the Fossa goal however as Paudie Clifford managed to win a second penalty for the hosts late on in O’Shea converting a second penalty for their five point win.

A point might be enough on the final day against Skellig depending on how Firies fare against Tarbert but the latter know that they could be facing a live game if Tarbert get the better of Beale in a back game on Saturday August 11.

A Beale would put the two East Kerry sides up however with a draw promoting Fossa officially and Tarbert having to win away to Firies on the last day to force a playoff between them again for the third spot.

At the other end Castlegregory and Renard pulled clear of the relegation battle with the West Kerry side scoring 1-9 in each half to get the better of already relegated Cromane by 2-18 to 0-13 as a draw between Castle and Renard might be enough on the final day to keep them both up. Renard overcame a 1-9 to 1-5 deficit after the first period at home to Cordal to defeat the East Kerry side by 1-15 to 1-10. Conor O’Leary scored the hosts goal in the first period but they still trailed by 0-6 to 1-2 after the opening 15 minutes with Kieran Enright scoring the goal that had the visitors in front by four at half-time.

Kevin Walsh scored their only point of the second period however as Darragh Fitzgerald, Brian and Mark Sugrue, Kevin Kelly and Kevin Curran pointed to give Renard the win they wanted and officially end Cordal’s slim hopes of promotion. St Michaels/ Foilmore and already relegated Ballylongford was not played but the South Kerry side will have a keen eye on the Beale and Tarbert ‘back game’ that appears to be the key now in potentially deciding a lot of matters at both ends of the table.