Valentia ‘keeper faces own son in semi-final defeat

THE Valentia goalie Richard Quigley, at 52, must surely be the oldest player to play in a South Kerry senior football championship encounter (open to correction, of course).

He was in a most unusual situation in this game, the semi-final against St Marys, as his wife, Sheila, is the treasurer of St Marys and his son, Mark, entered the game as a Marys substitute.

He is, of course, married into that staunch St Marys GAA family which produced the legendary Jack O’Shea but has for years been totally loyal to the Young Islanders.

On Sunday, November 18, the eagerly awaited match took place in Páirc Chill Imeallach of Portmagee.

Previous to this, Valentia defeated Waterville Frank Caseys in the quarter final by a score of 1-12 to 1-10.

This encounter between the County League Division One side St Marys and Division Four’s Valentia proved a bridge too far for the islanders, who were defeated on a score of 15 points to four.

In blustery but dry conditions, the half time score stood at six points to three in favour of St Marys.

The former Kerry footballer Bryan Sheehan kicked three frees, with the other St Marys scores coming from a point each by Adam Quirke, Niall O’Shea and Conor O’Shea.

The 52-year-old goalie Richard Quigley made a vital save from Daniel Daly, and a combined effort at goal by Steve Sheehan and Jim Lynch could well have yielded a penalty.

Valentia opened the second-half scoring with an early pointed free by John Shanahan but, unfortunately, it was to be the only second half score for the Young Islanders.

Bryan Sheehan kicked six more frees, with St Marys’ other second-half points coming from Daniel Daly (2),Darren Casey (1) and Anthony Cournane (1).

Valentia: Richard Quigley, Concubhair Guiney, John Curran, Paul O’Sullivan, Aaron Quigley, John O’Connor, Shane O’Connor, Rory Keating, Brendan O’Sullivan, Paul O’Connor, Barry Lynch, Jim Lynch, Andy Quigley, Stephen Sheehan, and John Shanahan.

Subs: Ciaran O’Donoghue (introduced in the second half ), David Hussey, John Lynch, Darragh Murphy, Junior Murphy, Ger ‘The Plumber’ O’Shea, Brian Falvey, Senan Lynch.

Referee: Brendan Griffin (Clounmacon).

Though defeated on this occasion, the Young Islanders have made very significant progress this year.

Under manager Michael A O’Connell and selectors, the brothers Ger and Diarmuid (Darby) Lynch, they won promotion from Division Five of the County League and defeated Waterville in the South Kerry championship quarter final.

They have also built up panel numbers, and this is very significant when one considers the difficulty in recent years of putting the bare 15 on the field of play.

The colourful and passionate Michael A has a big sideline presence and, together with his aforementioned selectors, has succeeded in getting the players to buy into what they are at.

Progress is definitely being made, and Young Islanders supporters fervently hope that the management and players stick together for 2019.

Aside from 52-year-old Richard Quigley, John Shanahan is 41, John Daly is 47 and Junior Murphy is 45.

Well done to these players for keeping the flag flying in very lean times numerically.

The Valentia South Kerry championship team. Back: Sonny Curran, Rory Keating, Shane O’Connor, John Curan, Brendan O’Sullivan, Steve Sheehan, John Lynch, Concubhair Guiney, Junior Murphy, Jim Lynch, Ger ”The Plumber” O’Shea.Front:Joe Lynch, John Daly, Richard Quigley, Paul O’Connor, Paul O’Sullivan, John Shanahan, Ciaran O’Donoghue, Aaron Quigley, Michael A O’Connell (manager), David Hussey.