Cox and Quille script the perfect start and result for Feale Rangers to upset the odds against West Kerry

MUCH talk in recent weeks about the state of football in North Kerry and the need, maybe, to amalgamate both Divisional combinations. A lot spoken also about the wealth of young talent emerging in An Ghaeltacht which tended most observers to lean in favour of a West Kerry victory in Gallarus last Sunday afternoon.

With only eighteen players available, the North Kerry side were somewhat short in numbers, but certainly not in relation to determination and desire. And it was the admirable level of their endeavour that earned them a fully deserved success at the end of a contest that might not have produced quality football on occasion, due in part to the difficult conditions, but was always full of fervour with the visitors imposing their stamp on proceedings from the outset of the contest.

The only goal of the game, scored in the first minute, was ultimately extremely crucial to the outcome, but really it was the ability of Feale Rangers to maintain parity throughout the opening thirty minutes of play, a period during which they were playing into an extremely strong breeze. Throughout all of that first half they were the more methodical outfit, in terms of their approach play and use of possession.

Being just one point adrift at half time put them in a really strong position, but they needed to use the elements to their benefit, and, while they didn’t capitalise fully in that respect, Conor Cox and Padraig Quille provided a sufficient level of leadership and scoring power in their attack to edge them over the line in a hard fought encounter. West Kerry, for their part were particularly wasteful in attacking situations, especially in the first half, and, really, only Dara O Se produced a sufficient level of accuracy and scoring returns in that particular sector.

The visitors got off to the perfect start with a goal inside the opening minute of play. Pat Corridan with a surging run from deep wasn’t tracked or picked up, and having reached the 13-metre line, Padraig Quille provided the support off the shoulder. His left-footed finish low to the West Kerry net gave his side a real early tonic, given that scores were always likely to be at a premium for them throughout that opening half.

West Kerry responded with two unanswered points inside two minutes, but Feale Rangers exerted a stranglehold early on around the midfield sector with the Corridans, Pat and Maurice, along with Anthony Maher and Damien Somers giving them a distinct advantage physically, in this particular sector.

A superb point from Anthony Maher kicked with pin point accuracy into the teeth of the breeze in the ninth minute helped to maintain their lead, 1-1 to 0-2, but points from Declan O’Sullivan and Dara O Se meant that the encounter was deadlocked 0-4 to 1-1 by the end of the opening quarter.

The locals were 0-6 to 1-1 in front by the 18th minute, and were still that margin ahead - 0-8 to 1-3 - six minutes from the break with Dara O Se kicking his third, and Jason Hickson his second point of the opening half.

Conor Cox’s pointed free narrowed the deficit to the bare minimum by the half time break, but it was significant that West Kerry had kicked eight wides throughout the opening thirty minutes of play.

Cox levelled matters within a minute of the restart, but for a period West Kerry adapted quite well to the conditions, with Padraig Og O Se providing the impetus for them from deep positions. Scoring wise they kept pace with Cian O Murchu converting a fine score at the end of some very good build up play.

However Feale Rangers continued to be pretty resolute in defence and resourceful in counter attacking situations with Padraig Quille involved and influential in some of their best offensive forays. Anthony Maher and Damien Somers regained a grip in midfield and points from Cox and Quille meant that they led by 1-9 to 0-10 going into the final quarter.

Cox, with a quite sublime finish, increased that margin to three, and while Sean Micheal O Conchuir did his utmost to inspire the West Kerry challenge, the Feale Rangers defence rarely looked as if it might be breached, and with a goal seperating the sides (0-12 1-12) heading into added time, the locals needed to find the net to salvage the situation. It never materialised, and fittingly it was Cox who sealed his side’s success with the insurance score in the final minute.

It completed a victory which owed much to Feale Rangers focus, and determined efforts which were sustained for the duration.

At a period in the second half when they had to dig deep to maintain a slender scoring advantage they displayed a lot of composure to manage the game, and ultimately to put the issue beyond doubt with four of the last six scores. WEST KERRY: Tomas Mac an tSaoir (An Ghaeltacht), Brian O Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht), Cathal O Luing (An Ghaeltacht), Colm O Muircheartaigh (An Ghaeltacht), Padraig Og O Se (An Ghaeltacht), Cian O Murchu (0-1) (An Ghaeltacht), Gareth Noonan (Lispole), Roibeard O Se (An Ghaeltacht), Eanna O Conchuir (An Ghaeltacht), Donncha Higgins (0-1) (Lispole), Dara O Se (0-4) (An Ghaeltacht), Jason Hickson (0-2) (Annascaul), Sean M O Conchuir (0-3f) (An Ghaeltacht), Declan O Sullivan (0-1) (Lispole), James Crean (Annascaul). Subs: Anton Kelliher (Castlegreory) for D Higgins, PJ Mac Lamh (An Ghaeltacht) for G Noonan, Tomas O Se (An Ghaeltacht) for J Hickson, Tom Kavanagh (Lispole) for J Crean.

FEALE RANGERS: Keith Hughes (Emmets), Niall Collins (Emmets), Jack McGuire (Emmets), Shane Stack (Moyvane), Ger McCarthy (Emmets), Pat Corridan (Finuge), Maurice Corridan (Finuge), Anthony Maher (0-1) (Duagh), Damien Somers (St Senans), Cormac Mulvihill (Emmets), David Foran (0-1) (St Senans), Eoin O’Connell (0-1) (St Senans), Padraig Quille (1-2) (St Senans), Conor Cox (0-7, 4f) (Emmets), Bryan Sweeney (0-1) (Emmets). Sub: Tom McCarthy (Emmets) for C Mulvihill.

REFEREE: Sean Joy (Laune Rangers)