Valentia make home advantage count to see off rivals Waterville

Valentia 1-12 Waterville 1-10

THIS first round South Kerry senior football championship game between the Valentia Young Islanders and Waterville Frank Caseys was played last Saturday at O’Connor Park in Chapeltown, Valentia.

It was played in an electric atmosphere in dry but windy conditions, with the heavy rains of the previous day having abated. The usually reliable John Shanahan missed an easy free for the islanders in the very early stages.

Waterville’s Jamie O’Sullivan opened the scoring with a point which was replied to by a point by John Shanahan. Full-forward Keith Moran then scored a Waterville goal, but Valentia’s mid-fielder Jim Lynch replied with two long distance points with Valentia’s Paul O’Connor adding another.

Barry Dwyer pointed a Waterville free, but three points from Barry Lynch, Andy Quigley (a free) and Paul O’Connor left the score at seven points to 1-2 in favour of the Young Islanders who were playing with the wind into the village end.

Midfielder Gearóid O’Sullivan added a Waterville free, replied to by a John Shanahan free, but not to be outdone, Gearóid O’Sullivan pointed another free.

That left the score at eight points to 1-4 in favour of the Young Islanders. Valentia’s full-forward big Stephen Sheehan was proving a good target man inside, making life very difficult for the Waterville defence.

Having won another ball, he bulldozed towards goal and the former Kingdom Kerry Gaels man was fouled in the square for a penalty. However, John Shanahan’s effort was well saved by the Waterville goalie Patrick O’Dwyer, but referee Billy O’Shea of Keel ordered it to be re-taken as he deemed that Waterville players ran in while the penalty was taken.

Andy Quigley clinically and expertly goaled from the spot. Barry Dwyer answered with a pointed Waterville free and Paul O’Connor replied with a Valentia point. It left the islanders with a lead of 1-9 to 1-5 at half-time.

Barry Dwyer opened the second half scoring with a pointed free. John Shanahan added a free to leave Valentia ahead by 1-10 to 1-6 .Barry Dwyer added two more pointed frees to narrow the gap to two points but points by Andy Quigley and John Shanahan extended Valentia’s lead to four points once more, 1-12 to 1-8.

When Valentia lead by 1-11 to 1-8 in the closing stage Andy Quigley’s close in free hit the post. Two more Barry Dwyer frees brought the scoring back to 1-12 to 1-10.

Towards the end of the game we had real drama.

With Waterville trailing by two points a rasping Waterville shot hit the underside of the crossbar and hopped on the line. A Waterville player kicked the rebound for goal but it was heroically saved by Valentia’s John O’Connor who dived from nowhere.

Waterville won a ‘45, but after the ensuing kick the final whistle blew much to the relief of delirious Valentia Young Islanders fans. FIXTURES SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11

South Kerry SFC Quarter-Final

St Michaels Foilmore v St Marys, Foilmore 1.30pm

Fiachra Clifford, Laune Rangers under pressure from Adrain O’Connor, Glenbeigh Glencar in the Mid Kerry Senior Championship final at JP O’Sullivan Park, Killorglin on SundayPhoto by Michelle Cooper Galvin