The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Strand Road FC claim back to back league titles
DENNY DIVISION 1B FINAL Strand Road 2 Sporting Listowel 1
WINNING back to back league titles is very difficult to achieve but Strand Road proved it is possible at Mounthawk Park on Sunday when they were crowned Denny Division 1B Champions after an exciting win over Sporting Listowel.
For a long period especially in the first half Sporting Listowel were well in control of this game and they will be kicking themselves for not at least taking it to a replay missing great scoring chances at the very end which if converted would have given them another bite of the cherry. .
However all the credit must go to Strand Road as they were patient when things were going against them and when they got their scoring chances they availed of them.
Sporting Listowel were on top in the first half and forced a number of early corner kicks and free kicks.
They went ahead in the 11th minute after good build up play from midfield a shot was deflected off a couple of defenders and Ian Murphy was in the right spot to finish to the net from close range.
Robbie O’Hanlon then went on a great run and his shot from 25 yards skimmed the crossbar.
Bryan Murphy also went close with a 20 yard shot just narrowly wide.
As the half progressed Strand Road began to find their feet and in the 38th minute they got a free kick in a good position but Michael Wren’s shot was saved at the butt of the post by Sporting Listowel keeper Darren O’Connor.
Just a minute from the break a foul on Michael Wren gave Strand Road a free kick on the verge of the box.
In what appeared to be a training ground manouver Michael Wren tapped the ball to Dan Kinsella and he floated a delightful dipping shot over the wall and into the top corner of the net for a goal of brilliant individual skill.
This was a real sucker punch for Sporting Listowel and they had plenty to reflect upon at half time.
Strand Road began to take a grip of the game in the second half and Daryl Byrne had a good chance to put them ahead when he latched on to a free kick from Paul O’Sullivan but his header missed the target.
Bryan Murphy had a chance Sporting Listowel but his low shot was saved at the butt of the post by Killian Moran.
After a period of sustained pressure Strand Road went ahead in the 69th minute when sub Reece Sugrue found Paul O’Sullivan at the near post and he applied a great finish. Listowel had a decent chance to equalise in the 78th minute when Thomas Mc Carthy made a great run from midfield and centrered a great ball to sub Chris Lyons but his unchallenged header failed to find the target from 8 yards. Near the end Sporting Listowel threw everything at the Strand Road defence but Ed Stack and Aidan Quinn was denied by 2 great saves by the Strand Road keeper Killian Moran while another effort came off the frame of the goal.
While it was never a classic game full marks to both sides for the effort they put in and at the end Strand Road ran out deserving winners.
They are a good side who are strong in all departments of play and should do well in Division 1A next season. STRAND ROAD: Killian Moran, Alan Quirke, Dan Kinsella, Daryl Byrne, John Griffin, Paul O’Sullivan, Shane Greensmyth, Jamie Sheehan Leen, Ritchie Hurley, Michael Wren, Milos Avric (Reece
Sugrue 61 mins), SPORTING LISTOWEL: Darren O’Connor, Mikey Moriarty, Robbie O’Hanlon, Brian Leahy, Cormac Mulvihill, David Dillon, (Chris Lyons 78 mins) Aidan Quinn, Thomas McCarthy, Ian Murphy (Ed Stack 73 mins), Bryan Murphy, David Keane. REFEREE: Tom Kerrisk
Quirke say future is bright for youthful Strand Road
SPEAKING after the game the manager of the Strand Road side Trevor Quirke said he was delighted with the win but admitted they were a bit fortunate at the end not to have conceded an equaliser.
“We knew Sporting Listowel would come off the traps fast and our objective was to contain and pounce if given an opportunity. We were patient when things were not going too well for us and the goal before half time was a real boost.
“Our plan for the second half was to get that all important second goal and if we did we would do our best to shut up shop. Sporting Listowel are a great side and were only beaten once all season so we knew what we were facing a huge task going into the game”
“The experience of winning the Division 2 title last year stood to us and helped us get over the line in front today. We have quite a young panel of players with the average age around 21 so we plan to be around for a long time yet,” Quirke said, adding that the club were looking forward to the challenge of Division 1A next season.