Hard-earned win in Kilcummin not enough for Dingle

SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 2 ROUND 3 Kilcummin 1-12 Dingle 0-18

IT came down to scoring difference in the finish, and it was Stacks who went through to meet Kenmare in the Senior Club Final. Their own players earned that the hard way, but when the group came down to scoring difference, a resilient Kilcummin didn’t do them any harm either! Kilcummin had nothing to play for, they were facing a relegation play-off regardless, and they were missing some top guns like Kieran Murphy. All they really had to play for was pride - but there’s never been a shortage of that commodity around the East Kerry club.

Dingle made much the stronger start but a Paul Geaney point was all they had to show from five attacks. Paul O’Shea replied with a point under pressure and Noel Duggan put Kilcummin in front. A roving Maitiu Ó Flatharta pointed a beauty and Dylan Geaney made it 0-3 to 0-2. Kevin McCarthy equalised brilliantly and Matt Keane won a free for Noel Duggan, only for Mikey Geaney to do likewise for Dylan.

This was very good football on both sides; Dingle had a fraction more electric pace, but a defensive Kilcummin held firm and made every score hard work. There was a small bit of controversy when what looked like a definite Dingle point was flagged wide – if it was a mistake, it was the only one Eamonn Moran and his excellent officials made all day; Moran was superb from start to finish.

Sean O’Leary burst up the field fo ra Kilcummin point, but Dylan and Paul Geaney closed out the first half scoring to leave the score at the interval 0-6 to 0-5 in Dingle’s favour. The withdrawal of Conor Geaney as early as the fourth minute was a serious blow for the visitors, especially given the prolific scoring form the Dingle forward has been in of late.

A brilliant interception by Micheal Ó Flannabhra almost set up Cathal Ó Bambaire for a goal, but Kevin McSweeney cleared off the line. Matt Keane levelled matters with a good score before Paul Geaney and Noel Duggan exchanged frees. Dingle put on a strong spurt to pull clear through Paul (2,1f) and Dylan Geaney and Brendan Kealy made a good catch to clear another threat.

Noel Duggan pulled one back with a free but Paul Geaney restored the three point gap. Cathal Bambury intercepted the kick-out and returned it over the bar and Dylan Geaney added another. 0-13 to 0-8, and it looked like Dingle would push on and go through on scoring difference. Kevin McCarthy had different ideas, though. He swung over a great point and then gathered a good ball from Gary O’Leary, swivelled, danced past one man, and neatly drilled it past the hapless keeper.

The Geaneys responded, with Mikey, Dylan and Paul opening the gap again. Noel Duggan pointed a free and Paul O’Shea swung over a ‘45 but it looked like curtains when Mikey Geaney was illegally stopped in the square. Paul Geaney hit a great penalty, but Brendan Kealy was equal to it – in hindsight, it was a crunch moment. Dingle went down to fourteen men but a ‘45’ from Daithi Ó Conchubhair and a Dylan Geaney point before Paul O’Shea (‘45) closed out the scoring, if not the result Dingle wanted. They bowed out of contention gracefully, while Kilcummin enter into the relegation play-off, but both sides deservedly left Kilcummin pitch with their heads high.

KILCUMMIN: Brendan Kealy, Donal Maher, Kevin McSweeney, Oscar O’Connor, Chris O’Leary, Sean O’Leary (0-1), James Nagle, Kevin Gorman, Shane McSweeney, Philip O’Leary, Gary O’Leary, Kevin McCarthy (1-2), Matt Keane 0-1, Noel Duggan 0-5 (4f), Paul O’Shea 0-3 (2 ‘45’). Subs: Mikey O’Shea for Chris O’Leary, Danny Cronin for P O’Leary (53), Chris O’Leary for S McSweeney (55)

DAINGEAN UI CHÚIS: Daithi Ó Conchubhair (0-1 ‘45’), Tom Leo Ó Suilleabháin, Pádraig Ó Conchubhair, Micheal Ó Flannabhra, Micheál Ó Baoighill, Breandán Ó Ceileachair, Aodán Ó Conchubhair, Barra Ó Suilleabháin, Dara Ó Suilleabháin, Niall Ó Geibheannaigh, Maitiu Ó Flaitheartaigh (0-1), Micheal Ó Géibheannaigh 0-1, Dylan Ó Geibheannaigh 0-6 (1f), Pól O Geibheannaigh 0-7 (4f), Conchubar Ó Géibheannaigh. Subs: Cathal Ó Bambaire 0-2 for Conchubhar Ó Geibheannaigh (4), Liam Ó Conchúir for Micheal Ó Baoighill (43), Pól Ó Dubháin for Dara Ó Suilleabháin (51)

REFEREE: Eamonn Moran (Ballydonoghue)