The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Maher seals draw for Duagh
NORTH KERRY SFC FINAL DUAGH...........................0-7 BEALE.............................1-4 by Timmy Sheehan
at Frank Sheehy Park, Listowel
ALL of the characteristics, which make the North Kerry Football Championship so unique were very much in evidence last Sunday afternoon in Listowel.
A vibrant atmosphere, a dogged determination on the part of every participant and a contest, which went right down to the wire. In the end a draw was probably a fair reflection of proceedings, even if Beale, in hindsight, will rue their inaccuracy throughout the opening thirty minutes of play. However, Duagh's resolve and resilience, throughout a pulsating second half, ultimately received its due reward.
In terms of quality the encounter was on occasion below par, but the intensity of the exchanges ensured that the sizeable crowd were treated to a contest, which epitomised the importance of the competition to each and every club in the division. With the assistance of a strong swirling breeze blowing into the score board end Beale, exerted a grip from the outset and were two points in front at the end of the opening quarter, with Ian Blake on target, with three frees in reply to Duagh's opening score from Martin Scannell in the fourth minute.
It fully reflected Beale's territorial supremacy during that period with Duagh reduced largely to sporadic attacks. Indeed but for some glaring inaccuracy, Beale could have been in a more comfortable position and with Duagh persisting with a slow laboured buildup Beale, the physically stronger combination, were well equal in all aspects of play. By contrast, Beale in offensive situations were more direct, and the goal converted by them in the twentieth minute, underlined the rewards to be reaped in route one situations.
Ian Blake's diagonal ball from long range was broken into the path of the resourceful Tom Joy and his powerful left footed drive, finished in the roof of the net having been deflected, by goalkeeper’s Jer Kelly's brave effort to save it. A copy bookscore from wing-back Shane Joy after Andy O'Connell, had picked him out with a precision pass meant that Beale were six points clear and in full control.
A Martin Scannell free in added time reduced the deficit to five points (1-4/02) at the interval break, but even with the assistance of the elements to follow in the second half it was difficult to see Duagh lifting the coveted crown at this stage, given Beale's ability to defend with tenacity and discipline and attack with confidence and purpose. Duagh, with Anthony Maher providing the leadership set about the task with admirable input, at the beginning of the second half and utilised the long ball, at every given opportunity.
Beale, with Colm Kissane, Jeremy King and Paul Collins all solid in fifty-fifty situations, coped quite well and two points, both fine scores from Joey Shanahan and Nigel O'Connor brought Duagh to within a goal, by the forty third minute and suddenly judging by the reaction of the crowd there was a sense that Duagh could fashion a famous victory. The question was on a day due to the extremely difficult weather conditions with scores a premium, whether or not Duagh, without the aid of a goal, could equal and indeed surpass the deficit in the final fifteen minutes.
They needed something special and that was provided by a hat-trick of magnificent scores from their star player Anthony Maher. Having been indifferent for long periods of the opening half, Maher, scaled supreme heights when the need was greatest – shades of Maurice Fitz as he split the posts on three separate occasions, all from different angles and distances. It brought his side level and within touching distance of the winning post.
Beale defending deep hung on grimly and could have snatched a last gasp winner, with Declan Bambury being denied by a brilliant block from Maurice O'Connor a player who was seen, to great effect for his side in all quarters of the pitch, during a frantic final quarter. In a pulsating final few minutes, Duagh looked, liked the side, most likely to succeed, but viewed in it’[s overall context a draw was probably a fair result, even if Beale were marginally the more accomplished outfit.
But then in North Kerry there are so many different ingredients that it needs probably more character than class to succeed. Beale play in Division Four of the County League, while Duagh have been relegated to Five and when you consider that teams such as Dr Crokes, Dingle and St. Michael's-Filemore, all Division One Teams have won some of the other Divisional titles, it’s difficult for those outside the District to appreciate the appeal of this particular Championship.
All one can say, is that if one wants, atmosphere, excitement and entertainment and one isn't too particular about the weather conditions, take a trip to Listowel, next Sunday afternoon. You won't be disappointed. BEALE: Sean Dee; Jeremy King; Colm Kissane; John Griffin; Shane Joy(0-1) Paul Collins; Philly Blake; Padraig Murphy; Declan Bambury; Andy O'Connell; James McMahon; Paul Horgan; Tom Joy (1-0); Barry O'Mahony; Ian Blake(0-3 frees). Subs: Cormac Walsh for P Horgan); Jake O'Connell for P Murphy) DUAGH: Jer Kelly; Terence McMahon; John O'Brien; Aaron O'Connor; Tim Scanlon; Kieran Quirke; John Sheeran; Anthony Maher (03/0-2frees); Stephen Moran; Peter Sheeran; Maurice O'Connor; Joey Shanahan (0-1); Kieran Duffy; Martin Scannell (0-2/0-1 free); Nigel O'Connor (0-1). Subs: Diarmuid Foley for J Sheeran); Ger McCarthy K Duffy; Denis Lane for S. Moran; Edward Stack for P. Sheeran REFEREE: John Hennessy (Ballyduff)