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Gerard Moran, ecstatic after the Strand Road semifinal win over Dr. Crokes with his grandson Logan Long.
Senior County Championship Semi Final Result
Kerins O Rahillys 0-15
Dr Crokes 0-14
Kerins O’Rahillys overcame a six-point second-half deficit to secure a first Kerry SFC final appearance since 2008.
Rahillys’ remarkable second-half effort condemned Crokes to a second successive county semi-final defeat and, in the process, set up an all-Tralee county final against Austin Stacks the weekend after next.
When Dr Crokes’ Micheál Burns split the opposition posts 14 seconds after the restart, it left Kerins O’Rahillys 0-9 to 0-3 in arrears and facing yet another defeat at the semi-final stage of the county championship.
Róisín Murphy, Kerins O’ Rahilly supporter …what more need we say !
But in a stirring comeback effort, the men from Strand Road outscored Crokes by 0-12 to 0-5 from there to the finish.
Their revival began in earnest with four unanswered points in the 10 minutes from the 34th to the 44th minute, Barry John Keane, Jack Savage (two frees), and Conor Hayes on target to leave the scoreline reading 0-10 to 0-8.
Destiny, Anthony and Tyreek … great Kerins O’ Rahilly supporters
Rahillys’ comeback bid did suffer a setback on 40 minutes when corner-back Donagh Buckley received a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident involving Micheál Burns.
Crokes’ numerical advantage didn’t last long, mind, as Gavin O’Shea was sent to the sin bin on 43 minutes and he was followed to the line shortly after by Crokes defender David Naughton who, no more than Buckley before him, was given his marching orders for an incident away from the play.
This flurry of cards contributed to a tetchy second half where no player took a step backward in the physical exchanges.
Crokes goalkeeper Shane Murphy landed a difficult free to push their lead back out to three at the second water break (0-11 to 0-8), but it was to prove their sole score between the 33rd and 63rd minute of action.
Paddy, Taylor Stack and Samhain O’ Callaghan…Ross O’ Callaghan’s ( Kerins O’ Rahilly captain) top fans
Rahillys, with momentum behind them, delivered a burst of five unanswered points to move 0-13 to 0-11 in front on 61 minutes. The leveller was kicked by Conor Hayes on 57 minutes after a Crokes restart from replacement ‘keeper Adam Kelly went astray. Kelly was thrown into the action late on after injury forced Murphy off. Two Jack Savage frees subsequently nudged William Harmon’s charges in front – the first time they had led all afternoon – as the large crowd braced themselves for eight minutes of second-half injury time.
A Tony Brosnan free cut the gap to the minimum, but no equaliser could Crokes find. Their second-half wastefulness, which included twice hitting the post from simple point attempts, will gnaw away at them for some time to come.
Crokes forward David Shaw had an opportunity to send the game to extra-time right at the death, but his free, which was from right on the sideline at the 20-metre line, went wide.
Kerins O’ Rahilly’s Ryan Nix catching up with Cormac Coffey for an updated photo
Crokes’ ability to find the target from play was the outstanding difference between the sides in the opening half, the Killarney men enjoying a significant 0-8 to 0-3 advantage at the break.
Rahillys, by contrast, were finding the going extremely tough in the opposition half of the field, the Strand Road outfit managing just one point from play across the opening half an hour.
William Harmon’s side had failed to raise a single flag come the first water break, with their account eventually opened on 18 minutes when Jack Savage converted a dead-ball effort following a foul on Tommy Walsh.
Up at the crack of dawn last Sunday morning were Vanessa ,Liam and Evan O’ Connor to support their Dad Johno ( Kerins O’ Rahilly Senior coach).
Savage’s two first-half frees sandwiched their one and only first-half point from play, supplied by Barry John Keane on 25 minutes.
Scores were found more easily and were far more frequent at the other end, Tony Brosnan’s class shining through during an opening half where he kicked three fine points from play. A fourth from the dead-ball situation meant he was responsible for half his team’s first-half total.
The ever-reliable Brian Looney was another to standout, throwing over as he did a pair of points.
Jacob O’ Connor, grandson of the great Walla O’ Connor …. helping decorate !
Crokes’ overall first-half supremacy and the amount of time they spent in the scoring zone is highlighted in the stat showing they had five wides tallied by the time Brosnan kicked their opener on 13 minutes.
They led 0-3 to 0-0 at the water break and added another three-in-a-row following their opponents’ opener to lead by five on 21 minutes. It was a lead they still enjoyed turning around for the second half.
That advantage went to six twice in the second period, but there followed a most dramatic second half and a most impressive Rahillys resurgence.
Before they head off to play the semifinal… Gaz and Jack Savage taking time out for a photo with their nephew Conor
Outside of the aforementioned mentioned scorer, the boys in blue had exceptional second half performances from Con Barrett, outstanding throughout, Gavin O Brien who’s surging runs created many scoring opportunities, while also curtailing the usually very influential Gavin White. Tommy Walsh and David Moran showed all their experience and leadership qualities when it was needed most.
We can now look forward to a county final on December 5th with great excitement.
Scorers for Kerins O’Rahillys: J Savage (0-8, 0-6 frees, 0-1 ‘45); BJ Keane, C Hayes (0-3 each); T Walsh (0-1).
Kerins O’Rahilly’s: S Foley; R O’Callaghan, C Coffey, D Buckley; D McElligott, S Brosnan, C Sayers; D Moran, C Barrett; G Savage, C Hayes, G O’Brien; J Savage, T Walsh, BJ Keane.
Subs: T Hoare for Sayers (6, inj); P Begley for G Savage (45).
‘ Man of the Match’ and so well deserved is Kerins O’ Rahilly’s Jack Savage
JUVENILE AND LADIES NOTES
Electric… no guessing where to start this week’s notes but with the superb victory in the Co. Championship semifinal against Dr. Crokes in Austin Stack Park last Sunday afternoon…some buzz !
What an atmosphere… semifinal day was the best thing that has happened so far in Strand Road in 2021!
Stalwarts of Strand Road ….Geraldine Donnelly, Eoin O’ Mahony, Yvonne Donnelly Seán O’ Mahony, Aisling, Conor and Richard Donnelly after the game …
A huge congrats to our Seniors and their mentors who were victorious over Dr. Crokes. These occasions are enjoyed by all generations and give our Strand Road community a wonderful lift!
We thank everyone who donned their club colours with pride , it was terrific to see great numbers from the very very young to the not so young cheering on the Blues and hear the drumming of hooves in the stand! Many thanks to everyone who shared fantastic photos etc. with us.
Kerins O’ Rahilly, U14 Wiktoria Szlaga all set for the Championship semifinal v Dr. Crokes last Sunday
Everyone on the pitch to their credit dug deep and showed the true fighting Strand Road spirit we all know and love . You, our supporters built a great momentum cheering on our lads. Well done to all! We now meet our rivals Austin Stacks in two weeks time in the Co. Championship Final…We are so looking forward to seeing everyone again for the big final where rival town teams go head to head…
Three cheers for Kerins O’ Rahilly… Harry Dennehy
Proud Kerins O’ Rahilly supporters young Morgan, Dad Morgan and Darcie O’ Flaherty…just love the flags they made!
Kerins O’ Rahilly , U7 Jude Raymond sending best wishes to his club for the Championship semifinal
G’wan Kerins O’ Rahilly! Proud fan, Erin Lynch
Róisín and Seán Murphy , Kerins O’ Rahilly delighted with their Dad Antony’s 2002 Championship framed jersey
Kerins O’ Rahilly U12s full of smiles at the game v Dr. Crokes in Austin Stack Park last Sunday
Céirín Uí Rathaille Abú …. Fiadh Kissane
Finn and Sophie Brosnan who were cheering on their Dad Shane of Kerins O’ Rahilly during the Championship semifinal
Cian and Fionán O’ Brien , great supporters of their brother, Senior player Gavin and his Kerins O’ Rahilly teammates
captain Ross O’ Callaghan taking time out for a photo with a delighted U11 Ryan Nix
Conor Lyons, U7 Kerins O’ Rahilly player sending good wishes to his home club
Eamon Murphy, Kerins O’ Rahilly U9 just over the moon to have his photo taken with one of his heroes, the great Tommy Walsh.
SANTA IN STRAND ROAD
Remember that Santa will be visiting us on Sunday, December 12th. With the excitement we could forget to book our visits so when you get a chance please text or what’s app Shirley (086) 8713552 to say hi to the big man himself! This is open to everyone in our community and newcomers always very welcome!
CONDOLENCES
Our condolences to Colm and John Horgan in our Juvenile Club and their Mom Róisín on the passing of their Dad Michael last week. Our condolences also to U12 Muireann McCarthy , her Mom Madeline ( Michael’s sister) and the Horgan family. May Michael rest in peace. Everyone is in our thoughts and prayers.
Mass for deceased members of the club will be held in St John’s Church on Friday 26th of November at 6.10pm. No mass in Club this year due to COVID restrictions.
Lotto Results
November 15th
08,09,12,27.
No Winner of Jackpot €2,600
Match 3 winners €25
Trisha Moran c/o Dollie
Draw for 4 €250 December 2021
Pat Keane C/O Shop
Mary Shanahan Clifford
Jim Kennedy DD
Michelle Kennedy c/o Rock St PO
Robert Gallagher C/O Rock St PO
Next Weeks Jackpot €2,700
