O’Connor goal the difference for Inbhear Sceine

DUNLOE CUP FINAL PS Inbhear Sceine Kenmare 1-9 Intermediate School Killorglin 0-9

A SIGNIFICANT piece of history for Pobalscoil Inbhear Sceine of Kenmare last Friday in Fitzgerald Stadium as they claimed their first ever Kerry ‘A’ Post-Primary Schools title by winning the Dunloe Cup Final (U-16½) against Intermediate School Killorglin by a solitary goal.

Kenmare led from start-to-finish, but it still needed a solitary goal from a Cian O’Connor free to secure their win after their opponents endeavoured hard to come back from a six-point deficit early in the second period.

Kenmare nearly had a dream start from the throw-in as Killorglin goalkeeper Cian Knight’s effort to prevent an opening point led to a double goal scoring chance for O’Connor which Knight had to save on both occasions.

A run of five consecutive points had Kenmare in control with two converted ‘45s from Colin Crowley most impressive in that run. A Kieran Dennehy point ended a 17-minute wait for a score by Killorglin towards the end of the first period as Matthew Leslie’s second free made it 0-7 to 0-3 at half-time in Kenmare’s favour.

Ruairí Burns scored two points after the restart for Kenmare, but they would be their only scores up until the game’s crucial score in the 51st minute.

The momentum appeared to be with Killorglin at 0-9 to 0-6 approaching the final 10 minutes, but O’Connor’s free fortunately dipped low and before Knight was fully aware of it the ball had gone over the line and Kenmare had a six-point advantage again.

Leslie brought his personal total to 0-7 (6f) but Killorglin were left to rue a goal chance flashing across the goalmouth for Rian O’Donovan prior to the green flag at the other end.

Kenmare deserved this momentous win, however, as their sideline included some notable figures like Tom O’Connor, Mickey Ned O’Sullivan and current Kerry senior panellist Seán O’Shea.

PS INBHEAR SCEINE KENMARE: Mark Looney; Sean Lucey, Gary Randles, Pearse O’Brien; Kieran Harrington, Tommy Cronin, Ciaran O’Sullivan; Colin Crowley (0-2, 2 ‘45’), Mark Casey; Ronan Foley (0-1), Daniel Crowley, Mark Torpey; Cian O’Connor (1-1), C Hanley (0-3), Ruairí Burns (0-2) Subs: Liam Palmer for Casey and Aden Gul for Torpey INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL KILLORGLIN: Cian Knight; Sean Cleary, Diarmuid McGuillycuddy, Ethan Coffey; Eanna Healy, Rory O’Connor; Callum Moriarty, Kieran O’Sullivan; Sean O’Brien, Niall Carey, Matthew Leslie (0-7, 6f); Darragh Blennerhassett, Kieran Dennehy (0-2), Darragh McKeeffrey, Rian O’Donovan Subs: Conor Spillane for Blennerhassett, Eoghan Hassett for Carey and Mikey O’Donnell for McKeeffrey

REFEREE: Gordon Kerins (Austin Stacks)

Pobalscoil Inbhearr Sceine Kenmare who defeated Intermediate School Killorglin in the Kerry Colleges Dunloe Cup final at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin