The Game in 60 seconds

Main Man

Raymond O’connor will have special reason to remember Glenbeigh / Glencar’s Mid Kerry triumph, not only for being captain, but also for an accomplished performance that saw him not only pitch in with some crucial scores, but also win some vital possession around the middle when it was needed.

Key Moment

Undoubtedly, it was Pa Joy’s miss with eight minutes left. His two other goal chances in the first half did lead to points but this glorious chance saw Laune Rangers come away with nothing at a critical juncture in the match. They were punished at the other end five minutes later.

Tactical Battle

Many felt that Glenbeigh/ Glencar didn’t do enough in the first half with the aid of the breeze, but their sheer hunger and desire coupled with putting a wall of bodies around the Laune Rangers players in possession paid dividends. Ultimately, it was another case of the Killorglin side being far too reliant on Liam Hassett and Mike Frank Russell on the day.

Talking Point

One wondered what the mood would be like after the week’s off-field events. A good crowd from within and outside the district showed up to watch the two teams do battle. Beaufort accounted for itself well as the host venue with the match day presentation, but while on-field matters have been settled we might not have heard the last about this year’s competition!

Referee rating

PADRAIG O’SULLIVAN (Firies) Pádraig O’sullivan had some people critical of some of his early decisions, but he stamped his authority early and this meant that the game was never going to get out of hand once the two teams learned what he was and was not going to blow the whistle for. Overall, a solid display.

What Next?

The celebrations are probably still in their infancy back in both Glenbeigh and Glencar. It’s well deserved after their 36-year wait, but they will be seeing Laune Rangers soon enough again in the Mid Kerry League, which is only a few short weeks away.