Kieran’s fight all the way but Kelly ensures Newcastle West emerge winners

Newcastle West 1-10 St Kieran’s 1-8

Kieran’s held the initiative for long periods and were 0-6 to 0-3 in front at the break. With time running out the sides were level at 1-7 each. It was then county player Stephen Kelly took his brace of points, which settled the issue.

In a lively opening half, Chris Madigan opened Kieran’s account, Sean Cronin tacked on two at the other end, but with John McCarthy and Nick Kelly holding the initiative around the middle of the field, Kieran’s, with scores from Seamus Byrnes and Madigan, went in at the break content with their lot.

With the wind behind them, Newcastle West soon turned the tide, thanks to a 36th minute goal from Declan Brouder. When Pat Fitzgerald and Sean Cronin tacked on points to leave them ahead 1-5 to 0-6 they had the look of winners. However, Kieran’s, with Nick Kelly and Johnny McCarthy prompting from the back, were not for turning and Kieran Madigan turned the tide with a cracking goal, followed by a Declan Quaid point.

Unfortunately, Kieran’s managed just one more score in the final quarter, from Johnny McCarthy, while Newcastle, spearheaded by Kelly’s two, had other contributions from Brouder, Cronin and John Lydon. It was a good performance from Newcastle, who will be there or thereabouts when the trophy is handed out next October.

Scorers for Newcastle West: D Brouder 1-2, S Cronin 0-3, S. Kelly 0-2, J Lydon, P Fitzgerald, M Kelly (0-1 each).

Scorers for St. Kieran’s: S Byrnes 0-3, C Madigan 1-1, D Quaid 0-2, J McCarthy, A Molyneaux 0-1 each.

NEWCASTLE WEST: J Lee; K Lenihan, B Holland, T Kelly, A O’Connor, S Nix, S Browne; J Lydon, P Fitzgerald; D Browne, S Kelly, S Lyons, M Kelly, S Kelly, S Cronin.

ST KIERAN’S: T Quin; J Windle, P Windle, B Nolan, P McCarthy, J McCarthy, N Kelly; J Donovan, P Woulfe; C Madigan, D Quane, A Molyneaux, P O’Sullivan, S Byrnes, R Cahill.

Referee: M Ryan (Askeaton).