Mike O’Halloran watched St Brendan’s just get over the line against Crotta in the Garvey’s Supervalu Kerry SHC Round 2 replay yesterday in Austin Stack Park…
St Brendans 2-11
Crotta O’Neills 1-13
Crotta O’Neills haven’t exited the championship with this one point loss today but it must surely put a little doubt in their minds as to how they can hold on to a lead.
Again yesterday they were four ahead at one stage in the first half, only to go in at halftime down by one.
Admittedly they were denied a goal and perhaps another decision or two during the half.
Continued below…
Jordan Conway and Donal Hunt had Crotta ahead by two before John Egan pointed and Cian Hussey struck for goal. But Shane Nolan cancelled both of those scores with a goal and a point.
The next three points came from David Griffin, John Egan and Tim Hannafin who converted after some consternation in the Crotta square.
Five points followed for Crotta the final one came from Donal Hunt to put Crotta ahead by four 1-08 to 1-04. In-between those scores, Crotta had the ball in the net only for the ref to bring the play back for a free.
Tom Moloney and David Griffin had points before Cian Hussey converted a penalty to leave the halftime score Crotta 1-08 St Brendans 2-06.
Shane Nolan converted two frees after halftime and when Tim Hannafin was presented with a gilt edged goal chance his effort went out for a sixty five.
Egan converted the sixty five and Cian Hussey followed with a point before Tim Hannafin spurned another goal chance to put over another point.
Shane Nolan put over two more points, but Egan replied with a free. With 52 minutes gone Shane Nolan drew Crotta level 2-10 to 1-13.
David Griffin put St Brendans back in front by one a lead they held to the end despite Crotta being presented with six scoring chances — they had four wides in a row and Darren Delaney made two saves.
The final two scoring chances fell to Shane Nolan – he was short with a free that resulted in a sixty five at the corner flag, Shane was wide with the 65 and so it ended St Brendans 2-11 Crotta 1-13.
Crotta now face Kilmoyley at the weekend and they will have to dust themselves off from this defeat.
A point worth noting is that Crotta had some of their most influential players playing with the Kerry U20s on Saturday, hardly great preparation for today’s game.
Crotta will need to take all the scoring chances presented to them and they will have to add to their scoring personnel.
They say matches are better than training sessions and if that’s true then St Brendans and Crotta must be well prepared for the remainder of the competition.
St Brendans will be hoping that their ‘yanks’ will return with some hurling done while they were away. It’s knock out time next weekend so let the games begin.
