The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Saints see off brave Islanders
SOUTH KERRY SFC SEMI-FINAL
St Marys 2-6 Valentia Young Islanders 1-8
ST Marys, gunning for a sixth title on-the-trot, went into this one as the hottest of favourites.
Valentia had struggled in the county league and have been hit even more than most by the rural diaspora, but they make up in pride and passion what they lack in numbers and made this one a real battle all the way to the finish.
They were sent staggering on the ropes in the very first attack, Marys sweeping forward in a great team move, with Conor O’Shea finding Daniel Daly in space and the full-forward drilling calmly to the net.
Stephen Sheehan replied with a point, but St Marys almost had a second goal as Jack Daly’s handpass ended up in the net, but it was disallowed (a point can the scored legally that way, but not a goal). Denis Daly set up Jack Daly for a point and Bryan Sheehan demonstrated his uncanny ability to make two very difficult frees look ordinary. 1-3 to 0-1.
Valentia were battling the tide but rose to the challenge. Andrew Quigley kicked a great point. A high ball into the St Marys square was batted down and Stephen Sheehan showed a predator’s instincts, snapping it up and driving it to the net. Andrew Quigley added a free and then swept over a beauty with his left leg. Suddenly it was Valentia who were in front, 1-4 to 1-3.
A foul on Paul O’Donoghue as he bore down on goal was duly punished by Daniel Daly. Valentia suffered a hammer blow when Mark Lynch slipped on the kick-out. Daniel Daly pounced on the kick-out, exchanged quick passes with Anthony Cournane, and jinked past the keeper to slot it home.
Brendan O’Sullivan with a good kick closed out the first half scoring. Half-time St. Marys 2-4 Valentia Young Islanders 1-5.
The second half was a titanic struggle. Anyone who thought that the champions would begin to lift their game was right – but Valentia matched them all the way in spellbinding football, tenacious tackling, and very skilful football. Jim Lynch picked off a good score. Brendan O’Sullivan boomed over a long distance free to square things up – O’Sullivan was leading from the front here.
A rising wind wasn’t helping shooters on either side as Denis Daly nudged St Marys back in front. Jack Daly doubled that lead with twelve minutes to go. It was a very long twelve minutes for a St Marys defence that were tested to their limits but passed with honours. Referee Paul Hayes had to be and was at his best as well as the football moved with pace.
Brendan O’Sullivan pointed a free to cut the gap to the minimum as the game went deep into injury time. Valentia made one last desperate surge forward, but just couldn’t pierce through for an equaliser.
St Marys are back in the final, but they will know that it was a close run thing.
ST MARYS: Mike Daly, Killian Nolan, Brian Curran, Oisin Moran, Conor O’Shea, Daragh O’Sullivan, Pat Cournane, Bryan Sheehan (0-2, 2f), Denis Daly (0-1), Jack Daly (0-2), Adam Quirke, Darren Casey, Anthony Cournane, Daniel Daly (2-1, 1f), Paul O’Donoghue Subs: Aidan Walsh for A Quirke, 36, Niall Brennan for P Quinlan, 48, Muiris Fitzgerald for Darren Casey, 52 VALENTIA YOUNG ISLANDERS: Mark Lynch, John Lynch, Paul O’Sullivan, Senan Lynch, Liam George, John Curran, Sean O’Sullivan, Barry Lynch, Paul O’Connor, Andy Quigley (0-3, 1f), Muiris O’Sullivan, Brendan O’Sullivan (0-3, 2f), Joe Lynch, Stephen Sheehan (1-1), Jim Lynch (0-1) Subs: Richard Quigley for M Lynch, halftime, Ciarán O’Donoghue for J Lynch, 21, John Shanahan for J Lynch, 56
REFEREE: Paul Hayes (Kerins O’Rahillys)