O’Connor fires St Michael’s

St Michael’s/Foilmore 1-11 Finuge 1-05

The hosts were sharper in front of goal and made an explosive start with the wind to their backs.

O’Connor was in scintillating form, kicking the opening two points from play before Paul Galvin replied with a pointed free in the 8th minute for Finuge. The South Kerry side were dominant in the middle third of the pitch, with Sean O’Connor and Padraig King on top at midfield and their half back line of Dara Scanlon, Brian Galvin and Adrian O’Connell drove forward at every opportunity.

O’Connor added another point from play and after centre forward Bernard Kelly fired over a 14th minute point, Eanna O’Connor was at the end of a Brian Galvin centre to finish to the Finuge net.

DJ Moran added another point, but Paul Galvin afforded Finuge a glimmer of hope in the 21st minute when he collected from Paudie Galvin and evaded a couple of tackles before firing to the net.

But the hosts finished the half with a flourish and two more Bernard Kelly points and a superb effort from centre-back Brian Galvin, gave St Michaels/Foilmore a 1-8 to 1-1 half-time lead.

Finuge, who had introduced Kerry Christy Ring Cup hurler John Griffin before half-time, will rue their third quarter display, as they missed numerous chances and took poor options in front of goal.

Paul Galvin kicked two points while Enda Galvin and Pat Corridan closed the gap as St Michael’s/Foilmore led 1-9 to 1-5, with Eanna O’Connor getting their solitary third quarter point from a free. O’Connor and Darragh O’Sullivan added late points to seal victory for the south Kerry side while Finuge’s misery was compounded with the dismissal of Raymond Galvin in the final minutes after receiving a second yellow.

Scorers for St Michaels/Foilmore: E O’Connor 1-5 (0-1 free) B Kelly 0-3, B Galvin, D J Moran and Darragh O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Finuge: Paul Galvin 1-3 (0-2 frees), P Corridan and E Galvin 0-1 each.

ST MICHAEL’S/FOILMORE: J O’Shea; A Smith, M Griffin, B Smith; D Scanlon, B Galvin, A O’Connell; S O’Connor, P King; D J Moran, B Kelly, S O’Shea; D Kelly, C O’Connor, E O’Connor.

Subs: Darragh O’Sullivan for D J Moran, C Grandfield for A Smith, S Fogarty for S O’Shea, Darren O’Sullivan for D Kelly.

FINUGE: C Fitzmaurice; C Allen, D McCarthy, Conor Fitzmaurice; Paudie Galvin, P Corridan, M Stackpoole; T McKenna, M Corridan; Paul Galvin, R Galvin, S Power; G Hogan, F Fitzmaurice, R Heffernan.

Subs: J Griffin for F Fitzmaurice, E Galvin for G Hogan, J Corridan for R Heffernan.

Referee: J O’Sullivan (Firies).