St Senans make history after winning club’s first North Kerry Championship

NORTH KERRY SFC FINAL St Senans 1-12 Ballydonoghue 1-6 TIMMY SHEEHAN Moyvane

IN the final analysis it was comfortable for St Senans as they secured their first ever North Kerry Senior Football Championship title in Moyvane last Sunday afternoon, but, they had to dig deep into their reserves of character to dispose of a Ballydonoghue combination which, only intermittently fired on all cylinders.

The level of their performance could be attributed to the resolve and resilience of St Senans, but, there was also the feeling that three games in as many weeks had taken it’s toll on Ballydonoghue. Maybe, but even at their best they would probably have struggled to cope with a much more fired up St Senans side, who essentially had put the issue beyond doubt in a ten minute spell midway through the second half.

Collectively, St Senans were more committed and compact, while individually, they had individual aces in all quarters of the pitch. As a combination they complemented each other much better being particularly effective in some free flowing counter attacking moves. With the advantage of a swirling breeze, Ballydonoghue with Paul Kennelly lively and effective as a target on the edge of the square looked to be the more resourceful side, with Jason Foley initially up in support of all of their attacking thrusts.

However, three points from their full forward Sean O’Connell meant that St Senans led by the bare minimum, 0-3 to 0-2, after ten minutes. They failed, however, coming up to the end of the opening quarter to capitalise with two clear cut goal opportunities being somewhat indecisive and inaccurate in front of goal, and when Sean O’Connell failed to convert a routine free from the thirteen metre line one felt that, maybe, it was going to be one of those days for the Saints. They still led by that single point at the end of the first quarter, but, successive points from Paul Kennelly meant that Ballydonoghue had edged back in front 0-4 to 0-3 by the 20th minute.

However, despite the continuing threat of Jack Foley and Paul Kennelly in attacking situations for Ballydonoghue, St Senans continued to dominate matters in the midfield sector, with Damien Somers being particularly influential. David Foran was also seen to good effect in the middle third, and, an excellent score from distance from him levelled matters before Sean Weir and Paudie Quille combined for what was to prove a crucial score. It looked momentarily as if they might have over played the opportunity, but at the end of some neat link up play, Sean Weir applied the finish to the Ballydonoghue net from close range.

It was due reward for a player who made a significant impact throughout. Ballydonoghue did respond to reduce the margin to the bare minimum, 1-4 to 0-6, at the half time break, and having scored just six points from fourteen scoring opportunities which included seven wides Ballydonoghue must have felt that if they could get a better return from the chances which they were creating, that they had the capability of retaining their title.

St Senans dug deep in defensive situations from the outset of the second half, with clusters of players effecting some timely tackles and turnovers, with both Mark Behan and Bill Keane being particularly effective in this regard.

Two pointed frees from Sean O’Connell extended their lead 1-6 0-6 by the end of the third quarter, and certainly they were the side firmly in the ascendancy at that particular juncture. Sean T Dillon had by this stage got to grips with the threat of Paul Kennelly, and with both midfielders Damien Somers and Barry Mahony involved in some surging forward runs from deep positions, Senans kicked five unanswered points, with Barry Mahony’s effort with the outside of the boot in the fiftieth minute being a pretty spectacular effort.

Ahead by eight points 1-11 0-6 with five minutes of normal time remaining there was no way back for Ballydonoghue at this particular juncture. Eamonn Walsh provided the finish from close range for what proved to be a consolation goal in the dying minutes after goalkeeper Darragh O’Shea had before that effected a few fine blocks, but it merely put a better complexion on the scoreboard.

Ultimately, the day belonged to St Senans, deservedly so, given that they displayed the type of true grit, and relentless effort so crucial in championship deciders. A first for the Saints, and a final to match many others in a North Kerry decider.

ST SENANS: James Barry, Mike Keane, Sean T. Dillon, James O’Donnell, Darragh Behan, Bill Keane, Mark Behan, Damien Somers, Barry Mahony (0-1), Eoin O’Connell, Jason Browne, David Foran (0-2), Sean Weir (1-1), Sean O Connell (0-8; 7f), Paudie Quille. Subs: Cathal Kennelly for M Behan, David Behan for P Quille, Breandan Whelan for B Keane, Paudie Dillon for S Weir.

BALLYDONOGHUE: Darragh O’Shea, Billy Foley, Jason Foley, Conor Kennelly, Thomas Kennelly, Micheal Foley, Jack Gogarty, Martin O’Mahony, Brian O Seanachain, Jim Cremin (0-1), Darragh Sheehy, Jack Behan (0-1), Jack Foley, Paul Kennelly (0-4; 2f), Eamonn Walsh (1-0). Subs: Padraig Enright for B Foley, Danny Power for M O’Mahony, Declan Behan for J Gogarty, Padraig Lyons for J Cremin, John Enright for J Foley (b/c).

REFEREE: Mike Hennessy (Ballyduff)

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