Beaufort move two clear, as John Mitchels make a move

WITH Austin Stacks not playing at the weekend, Beaufort have moved two points clear following a win over Glenbeigh/Glencar. John Mitchels are off the bottom after picking up their opening victory of the season, against Desmonds.

Beaufort 1-9

Glenbeigh/Glencar 0-9

Beaufort have gone top of the table, following this hard-fought victory over their neighbours in a Mid Kerry derby. Ciarán Kennedy’s goal, in the 18th minute of the first half, proved the decisive score as the visitors led by three points at the break, 1-4 to 0-4.

Despite four-point hauls from both Gavan O’Grady and Caolim Teahan, Glenbeigh/Glencar just couldn’t get their noses in front. For Beaufort, who now move to 12 points, two clear of Austin Stacks, Kennedy was excellent, with Fergal Hallissey and Darragh O’Connor also contributing strongly in attack.

Gneeveguilla 0-13

Ardfert 1-9

The East Kerry men withstood a storming second half fightback from the hosts to edge home by the bare minimum in Ardfert. With Seán O’Keeffe on fire in attack (0-5 in the first half), Gneeveguilla had a comfortable cushion at half-time, 0-9 to 0-2.

However, rejuvenated by Jack Kearney’s 46th minute goal, and with Nathan O’Driscoll (0-5) and Fionán Egan (0-2) on form up front, Ardfert were a different outfit in the second half.

For Gneeveguilla, Conor Herlihy also did well, and late points from O’Keeffe and Pa Brosnan got them over the line in front.

Fossa 1-16

Na Gaeil 0-13

Adrian Sheehan’s charges are level with Gneeveguilla on nine points, in joint-third, after a scintillating last five minutes put paid to a brave Na Gaeil effort. With the sides level at that juncture, 0-12 apiece, the game was there for the taking for either outfit.

Cian O’Shea’s 55th minute goal turned out to be the game’s crucial score, and with his brothers Emmett (0-8) and Tadhg (0-6) continuing their red-hot form, Fossa, eventually, sprinted through the tape. Dara Devine, James O’Connor and Mark Lynch kicked some excellent points for the Tralee side.

Kenmare Shamrocks 0-19

Listowel Emmets 3-8

An unanswered seven-point scoring spree at the outset of the second half inspired the hosts to a vital victory in Kenmare, despite the North Kerry men pushing them to the pin of their collar, raising three green flags on the resumption.

The sides were level at the break, 0-6 each, before the excellent James McCarthy, Pearse O’Brien, Kevin O’Sullivan and Tom Murnane delivered, in spades, for Shamrocks.

JoeJoe Grimes (penalty), Adam O’Rourke and Jack McElligott all found the net for Listowel Emmets, but it was just too little, too late.

John Mitchels 1-11

Castleisland Desmonds 1-8

It might have taken them until Round 7, but John Mitchels can finally enjoy a Division 2 victory following what could be a very important three-point win at Ballyseedy, over a Desmonds side, who had defeated Na Gaeil earlier in the week. The Tralee men led by a point at half-time, 1-6 to 1-5, Mikie Kelliher’s penalty goal being cancelled out by a green flag from Desmonds’ Kian Downey. The latter, and Graham O’Connor, did well for the losers, while the former, and Alan O’Donoghue, notched 1-7 between them for John Mitchels.

Desmonds 2-15

Na Gaeil 1-13

In a back game played last Tuesday evening, first half goals from Luka Brosnan and Luke Curtin propelled Desmonds to victory against a Na Gaeil, who have performed creditably in two fixtures this week, but have picked up nothing from them.

The Castleisland side had a five-point advantage at halftime, 2-7 to 1-5, James O’Connor raising the Na Gaeil green flag. Graham O’Connor (0-4) and Tomás Lynch (0-3) stood out for the winners, while Jack Sheehan, Dara Devine and Mark Lynch produced fine displays for the Tralee outfit.

Note: Austin Stacks v Templenoe was postponed because of the terribly sad passing of Edel O’Sullivan, sister of Stacks’ players, Brendan and Paul O’Sullivan. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.