PHOTOS/REPORTS: St Brendans And Kilmoyley Win Championship Openers

Mike O’Halloran reports on the two Kerry SHC games played at Austin Stack Park on Sunday afternoon, with photos courtesy of Steve Baker…

St. Brendan’s 1-23

Crotta O’Neills 2-15

The halftime score was St Brendan’s 1-13 Crotta 2-06. The Crotta goals came early from Jordan Conway, Shane Nolan fired over five points and Barry Mahony had one from play.

Seanie Brosnan netted for St Brendan’s as well as two points, all the St Brendan’s forwards had scored by halftime, Liam Og O’Connor, Nathan O’Driscoll, John Egan, Eoin Flaherty with one each.

Seamus O’Halloran scored two points, Fionan Egan scored four frees and a sixty five. In the second half Crotta added another goal a penalty by Shane Nolan, he also tacked on five points. Seanie McElligott, Barry Mahony and Evan O’Sullivan had a point each.

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St Brendan’s had moved Eric Leen onto Jordan Conway and that curbed Jordan’s influence on the game. Meanwhile up front Nathan O’Driscoll pointed three, Gary O’Riordan tapped over two as did Liam Og, while Fionan Egan added three.

Crotta may have had reason to believe that they were denied a chance to level matters when Shane Nolan was fouled but Crotta will hope that they will get a fully fit team on the field for nest week.

St Brendan’s youngsters will have gained huge confidence from this win and will be hard to beat.

Ballyheigue 1-18

Kilmoyley Hurling  1-20

Ballyheigue led at halftime 1-11 to 1-09. Six of their points came from Philip Lucid and their goal from the stick of Ciaran Casey when he drove through from defence. Colin Walsh added two points as did Nathan Guerin.

Robert Collins took centre stage for Kilmoyley scoring 1-06 in the first half. the other points coming from Jordan Brick, Dan Collins and Bobby O’Connor.

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Ciaran Casey, Nathan Guerin, Felim O’Sullivan and Rory O’Halloran had points, Philip Lucid added three before the end but it was not enough to win as Kilmoyley added eleven.

Dan Collins, David McCarthy,Paudie O’Connor and Jordan Brick with one each. Robert Collins put seven on the board six frees and a sixty five.

Kilmoyley have their first championship win under Ian Brick and will hope to have Ronan Walsh, Colman Savage and perhaps Dougie Fitzell back to full fitness for later in the competition.

Ballyheigue battled hard and if they are to advance they will need more from their big players and consider repositioning Michael Leane.