Rangers savour that special feeling

ALMOST three barren decades for North Kerry football were swept away yesterday in an explosion of relief and excitement generated by Feale Rangers’ dramatic win in the AIB Kerry SFC decider in Austin Stack Park.

Given the influential role he played for most of the game, it was fitting that captain Eamonn Fitzmaurice emerged as the hero with a winning score four minutes from the end of normal time. And, with Bryan Sheehan missing a 45 for reigning champions South Kerry a minute into injury time, the Bishop Moynihan Cup was on its way to join the senior hurling trophy won a few weeks ago by Lixnaw.

While Rangers manager Johnny Mulvihill conceded a draw might have been a fair result, the divisional outfit worked that bit more to regain the title after a 27-year wait. And, for Fitzmaurice, Paul Galvin and four others in the panel, it earned them the added distinction of being the first players to win championship medals in both codes since the Bunyan brothers, Johnny and Robert, managed it back in 1977. In his victory speech, Fitzmaurice expressed the hope that Paul Galvin would be as successful in leading Kerry to All-Ireland glory as Jimmy Deenihan had been following their last triumph.

Not unexpectedly, given the heavy conditions and the pressure on both sides, the game was something of a dour contest which was to be reflected in the scarcity of scores. In South Kerry’s case that amounted to just one of their six points coming from play — from midfielder John Sugrue.

Yet, rather than this being an indictment of their lack of finishing, it had more to do with the way Feale Rangers’ tactics were successful in limiting South Kerry’s attack. And, one of the key factors in enabling Feale Rangers to realise their dream was a pronounced domination at midfield in the first half – something which Mulvihill revealed afterwards had been regarded as a priority.

The only goal of the game proved to be crucial. It came after just seven minutes, after Ronan Hussey had put over a free to give South Kerry the lead for the only time in the game and Noel Kennelly quickly equalised with another placed ball. It was no surprise that Kennelly, lining out at full-forward, had a hand in the goal, because he exerted a major influence in the Feale Rangers attack throughout the opening half. Brian Scanlon had the relatively easy job of finishing off the move also involving wing-forward Anthony Maher.

Their progress at midfield had a lot to do with the huge work-rate of Maurice Corridan (another of the ‘dual’ winners) and the tightness of the marking in defence. Fitzmaurice was very strong on the ball and gave great leadership from centre-back. Yet, in a different respect Declan O’Sullivan was the player who instigated most of South Kerry’s attacking movements, except that he frequently had to come far out the field to win possession. As a result, he was hardly ever close enough to goal to try for scores himself and overall, a lot of ball played into the inside players was unproductive.

In contrast, Feale Rangers posed a much stronger attacking threat, mainly through Kennelly, but helped by the role of his two Listowel team-mates in the corner and the strong support from Maher. Additionally, Paul Galvin fulfilled an important role as provider, operating at centre-forward but roaming a lot. Invariably he got to the ball ahead of his marker and inter-county colleague Killian Young, who was confined to a largely defensive role and denied the freedom to go forward.

It was 1-3 to 0-2 at the break.

Significantly, South Kerry looked a different side on the resumption, much more business-like, meaner in defence and prominent at midfield through Sugrue and improved play from Aidan O’Sullivan. Sheehan kicked over a free in the 33rd minute and another ten minutes later. Based on their more confident play – which had the effect of cutting off the supply to Kennelly — it was no surprise to see them draw level after Sugrue had pointed from play at the three-quarters stage.

However, it took until the 55th minute for them to equalise, through a close-in free from Hussey.

The game had reached its most competitive phase. But, with South Kerry having again been heavily dependent on Declan O’Sullivan’s powerful surges down the centre, they didn’t have time to go chasing a lead score before Fitzmaurice was well positioned in the half-forward line to take a pass and score with a perfect kick.

Scorers for Feale Rangers: B. Scanlon 1-1; N. Kennelly (free), D. Galvin and E. Fitzmaurice 0-1.

South Kerry: B. Sheehan 0-3 frees; R. Hussey 0-2 frees; J. Sugrue 0-1.

FEALE RANGERS: S. Quinn (Emmets); J. Mulvihill (Moyvane), P. Corridan (Finuge), K. Quirke (Duagh); D. Griffin (Duagh) E. Fitzmaurice (Finuge, capt..), B. Guiney (Emmets); B. Whelan (St. Senan’s), M. Corridan (Finuge); E. Galvin (Finuge), P. Galvin (do), A. Maher (Duagh), D. Galvin (Emmets) N. Kennelly (do), B. Scanlon (do).

Subs: S. McCarthy (Emmets) for D. Galvin (48th minute); L. Keane (Listowel Emmets) for Griffin (55th); B. O’Connell for Whelan (62).

SOUTH KERRY: M. Drummond (Sneem); S. O’Sullivan (Skellig Rangers), W. O’Sullivan (do); A. O’Connell (St. Michael’s/Foilmore); B. Hickey (Skellig Rangers, capt.), K. Young (Renard), Denis O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses); A. O’Sullivan (Skellig Rangers),J. Sugrue (Renard); S. Fogarty (St. Michael’s/Foilmore),Declan O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses), B. Sheehan (St. Mary’s); R. Hussey (Sneem), R. O’Connor (St. Michael’s/Foilmore), P. Curran (Waterville).

Subs: M. Fitzgerald (St. Mary’s) for Fogarty (51st minute); G. O’Driscoll (Skellig Rangers) for A. O’Sullivan (58th).

Referee: P. O’Sullivan (Firies).

*Attendance: 8,500.