Championship

South Kerry 0-11     Kerins O Rahillys 0-8

October 3rd, 2006
by Weeshie Fogarty

 South Kerry dreams of three in a row county championship titles remains firmly on course following this hard fought win at Fitzgerald's Stadium Killarney last Sunday. While they were hard pressed all the way by a never-say-die o Rahillys fifteen at the end of the hour the better side were victorious. South Kerry has they have been doing in the past were well capable of raising their game when push came to shove and in the closing minutes last Sunday they upped a gear and advanced to what should be a cracking county final again

John Evans men were in contention right up to the final ten minutes of a game which was never free flowing and the heavy under foot conditions following heavy rain made conditions extremely difficult for the players. Strength and experience were the two words which were used by both trainers following the game and this was very evident as the contest entered its closing quarters. James o Sullivan the winners manager has seen his side develop into a close knit strong composed and highly experienced outfit and with a huge sprinkling of inter county men in their ranks they are very evenly balanced.

Their strength is based on their mid field diamond of Brian Hickey, Aidan o Sullivan, Brian Sheehan and the tireless Declan o Sullivan and entering the final fifteen minutes with the lead changing hands the power of this sector swung the balance as a huge amount of possession was mopped up. And then there was that man again, how often we have marveled at him. I speak of course of Maurice Fitzgerald. He was introduced at half time and what a contribution he made. The winners despite having a huge amount of possession were experiencing great difficulty in breaking down a superbly disciplined Kerins o Rahillys defense marshaled by the o Shea brothers, Johnny Kelly and Ger. Molly.

The Tralee men had trailed at the short whistle 4-3 but within eight minutes had edged one point ahead. Michael Quirke began to catch some high ball around the middle of the field. Timmy o Sullivan covered acres of ground. David Moran set up John o Connor for a great point. Declan Quill did all the work himself, was fouled and pointed the resultant free from 45 meters out and the champions were behind.

Then within the space of minutes Maurice Fitzgerald dragged his side back into the game. Trailing by that one point, 5-4, full forward Ronan o Connor set up The St Marys man and selling his trade mark dummies Maurice kicked a glorious point from forty meters out. The sides were level. Shortly after this his centre from the wing deceived the loser's defense and the ball hopped over the bar. South Kerry were back in front. Showing great determination the Strand Road men hit back. Tommy Walsh pointed and in the 16th min. wing back Ger. Molloy was up in support to regain the lead for the blues.

Then we saw the champions respond as champions do. They upped a gear. The classy skillful Sneem man Ronan Hussey pointed from the wing in great style, to level matters. Kerry's exemplary captain Declan o Sullivan was winning a huge amount of possession, he was fouled and the ever improving Brian Sheehan raised a white flag from a difficult angle. Centre back Brian Hickey was at the end of a five man passing move to bust through and shoot his side two points ahead. Kerins o Rahillys to their credit launched a number of attacks but the stronger more physical winners defense with Denis o Sullivan and Wayne o Sullivan and Hickey to the fore were now on top.

Five minutes to go, the two Kerry senior men Sheehan and O Sullivan combined and Declan stretched the winners lead to three points, 10-7. Pat Madden who had a great hour for the Tralee side pointed following a passing movement. The lead was now down to two points however substitute John Shanahan lofted over a long kick to put the goal between the teams and the same player should have found the net in injury time. With no one but Garry Kissane to beat in the o Rahillys net his bullet of a ground shot rebounded from the butt of the post and was cleared to safely. The full time whistle came just after this and the South Kerry march continues.

Both sides had missed goal opportunities in the opening half. Paul o Connor shot into the side netting after fifteen minutes with a goal looking certain. At the other end the excellent Tommy Walsh fly kicked over the bar from close in when set up by Michael Quirke. Ronan Hussy's two points from play and a difficult angled free were superb efforts while Declan o Sullivan had the winners 4th point. Tommy Walsh and two Declan Quill frees were o Rahillys response which saw them trailing at the break 4-3. It was very obvious that Declan Quills leg injury curtailed him greatly and he had not trained since the St. Brendan's game.

South Kerry:  Mark Drummond, Wayne o Sullivan, Colm o Conner, Adrian o Connell, Denis o Sullivan, Brian Hickey (0-1), Killian Young, Aidan o Sullivan, Bryan Sheehan(0-1f), Paul o Connor (Cap), Declan o Sullivan (0-2), Denis Dwyer, Ronan Hussey (0-4 1f), Ronan o Connor, Patrick Curran.

Subs. Maurice Fitzgerald (0-2) for Patrick Curran, John Shannahan (0-1) for Paul o Conner.  Ray Keane for

Kerins o Rahillys: Garry Kissane, Kieran Scannell, Barry o Shea, Morgan o Shea, Benny Quill, Johnny Kelly, Ger Molloy (0-1), Timmy o Sullivan, Micheal Quirke, Pat Madden (0-1), Rory Molloy, David Moran, Declan Quill (0-3f), Tommy Walsh (0-2), John o Conner (0-1).

Subs; Jer o Brien for Rory Molloy,  David Flaherty for Benny Quill, (inj) Colin Magnier for John o Conner

Referee:  Tom McCarthy,  Castleisland Desmonds 

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