ROUND three of the county league took place over the weekend, with the big winners being John Mitchels – who continued their unbeaten record – and Austin Stacks. Here’s a round up of results from Tralee area teams with action shots at the end of the reports…
Division 1
Killarney Legion 1-7
Kerins O’Rahilly’s 1-7
Kerins O’Rahilly’s travelled to Dirreen on Saturday night last hoping to keep their winning streak going.
The Blues were at full strength following the return of of David Moran, Barry John Keane and Tommy Walsh from inter-county duty.
Playing into a stiff breeze in the first half, they took the game to Legion and led 1-1 to 2 points after 12 minutes the goal coming from a David Moran penalty following a foul on Barry John Keane.
O’Rahilly’s were well placed heading into the interval until Legion hit the net just before the half time whistle. Leaving the scores 1-5 to 1-3 in favour of Legion at the break.
On resumption Strand Road poured forward in search of scores but a combination of wayward shooting and a massed defence by the opposition saw them trail by 1 point 1-7 to 1-6 with time running out.
A free from 45 yards following a foul on David Moran brought an equaliser from Jack Savage and a few minutes later the referee blew the full time whistle to give both teams a share of the points.
O’Rahilly’s will face Legion on Saturday night next at 6.30 in the First Round of the Senior Club Championship having home advantage.
Glenbeigh/Glencar 0-6
Austin Stacks 0-11
After going down, away to Kilcummin, in their first game, Austin Stacks came away from Glenbeigh on last Sunday afternoon with their first points of the county league.
The Rock got off to a perfect start with Shane O’Callaghan kicked the opening point of the game after 22 seconds. With the pitch a little soft after the overnight heavy rain, scores were scarce enough for the rest of the half.
By the 20th minute both sides had just two points on the board, Stacks finished the half the stronger scoring three more points from play from Fiachna Mangan and two by Greg Horan, Stacks leading at half time by 0-5 to 0-2.
A good start to the second half by the home side saw them wipe out Stacks lead in the space of seven minutes.
Wayne Guthrie was just four minutes on the pitch when he sent over a perfect 45 for Stacks first score of this half.
This was followed by one from play by Seán Ryan and then Shane Carroll pointed two frees in quick succession to give The Rock a four points cushion.
Towards the end of the match there were scores from Mikey Collins and Wayne Guthrie before Glenbeigh got one back in added time leaving a five point victory to Stacks.
Daniel Bohan made his first appearance since the All-Ireland semi-final. He steadied the ship when introduced for the last ten minutes.
Austin Stacks received a bye in the senior club championship so will have this weekend off.
Division 2
John Mitchels 0-16
Spa Killarney 1-8
Mitchels hosted Spa Killarney on Saturday night and maintained their 100% record in the league with another fine victory.
Alan O’Donoghue was once again in terrific form, notching up a remarkable 10 points in total on the night.
Mitchels started strongly getting two early scores from Alan O’Donoghue but Spa answered back and drew level. From then until the end of the half both teams traded scores, with Mitchels points coming from from Sean Moloney (2) and Alan O’Donoghue (3) to leave half time score John Mitchels 0-7 Spa Killarney 0-7.
On resumption, Mitchels attacked the game with intensity, adding three points from Alan O’Donoghue and points from Shane O’Connor and Jonathan O’Halloran.
But Spa hurtled back into contention with a goal leaving only two points between the teams. Mitchels dug deep and rallied by scoring a further four points finishing out the game with points from Alan O’Donoghue (2) and Sean Moloney (2).
Next up, is a clash with fellow table toppers, Kenmare, next month. (scroll to end of reports for more photos)
Division 3
St Pats 2-10
Annascaul 0-8
This round 3 local derby proved to be the game of two halves with Annascaul dominating the first half.
It took St Pat’s 14 minutes to register their first score of the game until, Kieran Hurley opened his account with a pointed free on 17 minutes, with his brother Willie adding a further point a minute later to leave the minimum between the sides.
Annascaul dominated proceedings for the remainder of the half stretching forward with the mercurial Genie Farrell getting the last point of the first half, leaving the scores going in at the break, St Pats 0-3 Annascaul 0-7.
The turning point of the game came on the 10th minute of the second half when Michael O’Sullivan sent a high ball towards the Annascaul goal which was well fielded by Kieran Hurley who in turn passed to the in running Brendan Poff, Brendan made no mistake and hit the back of the net to put St Pats in front for the first time in the game.
The game was over when Hurley hit St Pats second goal. St Pat’s confidence was now showing as they pushed forward at every opportunity.
Adrian Greaney and Kieran Hurley added two pointed frees in injury time to leave the final score St Pats 2-10 Annascaul 0-8. (scroll to end of reports for more photos)
Beale 0-8
Ballymacelligott 1-6
Ballymac won their second Co. League game in a row on Saturday evening last in Ballybunion with a one point victory over Beale.
The home side had the better of the first half exchanges and led at half time by 0-4 to 0-3 with Ballymac scores coming from Luke Sweeney (0-2) and Daniel O Shea (0-1).
A feature of the first half for Ballymac was the excellent performance of Niall O’Shea at right half back.
Ballymac upped their game in the second half and the decisive score of the game came Aidan Breen scored a fine individual goal. This score allied to points by Luke Sweeney, Aidan Breen, and Padraig McCarthy saw Ballymac run out winners.
Na Gaeil 2-9
Beaufort 2-9
NA Gaeil finally got their first point in division three with a hard earned draw with Beaufort.
Na Gaeil, playing at home, had the better of the opening exchanges with scores coming through Darragh Carmody, Mike Griffin and Shane Carey.
The visitors came back strong at the end however to take a two point lead into the break. It could have been a lot worse only for a flurry of exceptional saves from Tim Culloty. The half ending, Na Gaeil 0-5 Beaufort 1-4.
The second half was a more evenly contested affair with the lead exchanging hands on several occasions.
A Mike Griffin effort on the 20th minute got the home side’s second goal of the evening. When Rob Murphy scored a point it looked like Na Gaeil were on course to victory, but Beaufort equalised with the last kick of the game for a share of the spoils. (scroll to end of reports for more photos)
Division 4
Lispole 0-12
Churchill 2-14
Churchill had their first win of the County League campaign with a well deserved victory over Lispole in Lispole last Sunday.
Churchill went two points up after four minutes with points from play by Brian Hill and the impressive Conor Daly, but by the 11th minute, Lispole had scored three points of their own from play, to lead for the only time in the game.
The crucial period of the first half came in the next three minutes when Churchill added two further points from play from Conor Daly and a goal from the boot of Cillian Fitzgerald.
Lispole added another from play after 16 minutes. Churchill then added four more points to Lispole’s two and these came from Conor Daly (2), Cillian Fitzgerald and a brilliantly struck 45 from Ger McCarthy to leave it at half-time, Churchill 1-8 Lispole 0-6.
In the second half, Lispole were first out of the blocks and by the 6th minute had three points on the board. But by the halfway stage, Churchill had steadied the ship with points from play by Daly (2) and Fitzgerald to leave the score Churchill 1-11 to Lispole 0-9.
The turning point of the half came in the 17th minute with a goal from Ger McCarthy. Both teams added three points each to leave the full time score Churchill 2-14 to Lispole 0-12.
The result sets Churchill up nicely for their Junior Championship Match vs Na Gaeil in their new pitch next Sunday.
Division 5
Duagh 1-18
Austin Stacks 1-7
Austin Stacks B side were short a number of first choice players due to the clash of fixtures over the weekend, as they travelled to Duagh having won one and lost one in the league already.
It was a difficult afternoon for the Rock, who were beaten by the better side. It was all but over at the end of half time the score being 1-9 to 0-3 to the north Kerry men.
There was an improvement in fortunes in the second half with Stacks kicking one 1-4 to make the scoreboard look slightly more respectable.
Scroll down for photos from some of the games…
