Dillion inspires Senans to league crown

NORTH KERRY SENIOR LEAGUE DIVISION 1 FINAL Brosna 1-13 St Senans 2-14 (AET)

ON Saturday evening last in Duagh we had the eagerly awaited Division 1 Final between two of North Kerry’s kingpins.

It got of to a very slow and ponderous start, with St Senans settling much the faster with a long ball into the square only for injury sub Eoin O’Connell to fist the ball to the back of the Brosna net in the third minute.

The next score did not come until the 13th minute with a free awarded to Brosna for Tom McGoldrick to kick it over the crossbar again McGoldrick pointed from a free in the 14th minute to put one between the teams.

Again it was Brosna on the attack on the 17th minute with a well taken point from the boot of Patrick Moriarty who impressed throughout the game. Brosna now had their tails up and an awarded penalty taken by McGoldrick put Brosna a goal up in the 20th minute.

Brosna’s Darren Horan split the posts to give a four point lead, but Senans’ sub Eoin O’Connell was keen to impress the sideline and added a point to his tally in the 22nd minute.

The last point of the half for Brosna came from a free by Tom McGoldrick. Senans added two more points from Seán O’Connell (one free). Half-time score St Senans 1-3 Brosna 1-5.

Second half there seemed to be a more urgent approach by the Senans players they were on the scoreboard in the first minute of play with a free converted by Seán O’Connell, with points from Barry O’Mahony (2) and David Foran (1) before a reply came from the Brosna men.

Adam Barry kicked a sweet curved ball from the 45 dressing room side to split the posts, but Senans full-forward Seán O’Connell took his own long range score in just as much style in quick reply.

Eoin O’Connell added to his tally with a point and again Brosna replied from the boot of young Patrick Moriarty. Both teams were now in a dogfight and who else but Seán Weir drove at the Brosna backs to fist the ball over the bar.

For the Brosna side Adam Barry and Tom McGoldrick added to the scoreboard, but O’Connell brought his side a point up and in the 32nd minute. Brosna’s Kieran O’Donnell kicked the equaliser full-time score 1-11 apiece.

It was the Senans boys who seemed to be the fitter going into extra-time with a goal and a point in the first half coming form Seán O’Connell and Paudie Quille (goal). To Brosna point from corner forward-Patrick Moriarty.

In the second half Brosna only managed two more points from Adam Barry and Tom McGoldrick to St Senans’ three points – Seán O’Connell, Cathal Kearney and Paudie Quille to take Division 1 League title for 2018.

The trophy was presented by North Kerry Football Board chairman Johnny Stack to Senans’ captain Seán T Dillon

Man of the match was presented to Seán T. Dillon St Senans by Larry O’Connor of O’Connor Hardware and Farm Supplies Duagh who kindly sponsored the award.

ST SENANS: Luke Lynch, Mike Keane, Seán T Dillon, James O’Donnell, Darragh Behan, Bill Keane, Mark Behan, Damien Somers, Jason Browne, Con O’Keeffe, Seán Weir, David Foran, David Behan, Seán O’Connell, Paudie Quille

BROSNA: Steve McAuliffe, Eamon Keily, Shane Fitzmaurice, Maurice O’Keeffe, Daniel Fitzgerald, Flor Mc Auliffe, Peter Curtin, Timmy Finnegan,Shane Curtin, Adam Barry, Tom McGoldrick, Kieran O’Donnell, Patrick Moriarty, Darren Horan, Mike Finnegan

REFEREE: Brendan Griffin (Clounmacon )

Meanwhile in the Division 1 League Relegation Game Listowel Emmets saw off Ballyduff 3-9 to 1-10 after extra-time.