O’Rahilly’s hang on to see off Dingle challenge
In the circumstances, early goals from Declan Quill and Timmy O’Sullivan were to sustain them in the face of a strong second-half Dingle challenge.
At the break, Kerins O’Rahilly’s were in front by 2-3 to 0-2 and the Dingle management reacted by making one change at corner back (in an effort to limit Keane) and introducing Paul Devane and Mike Geaney up front. The moves worked well and with the score at 2-6 to 0-6 at the three-quarters, O’Rahilly’s seemed to run out of steam. The net effect was that after two good scores from Donie Ryan and a free from Daithí Geaney, there was the real possibility of a Dingle recovery. Sensing the danger, the favourites moved up a gear and three late scores ensured victory.
Scorers for Kerins O’Rahilly’s: D. Quill 1-3 (0-2 frees); T. O’Sullivan 1-1; B.J. Keane and B.J. Walsh 0-2 each; J. O’Connor 0-1 free.
Scorers for Dingle: D. Geaney 0-4 (0-3 frees); D. Ryan 0-3; P. Geaney 0-2.
By Brendan Mooney
MID KERRY went into this AIB Kerry SFC quarter-final hotly fancied to progress to the penultimate stage but they were forced to survive a storming Kenmare comeback to advance at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney.
Sean O’Sullivan’s early goal proved decisive on a day that saw the lesser lights of the experienced divisional outfit shine.
Despite the concession of that early strike Kenmare continued to press forward and were rewarded when Paul O’Connor chipped over the ‘keeper’s head to tie the game at 1-4 apiece — and the sides were level on 1-6 apiece moments after the restart.
Mid Kerry were getting on top when Darren O’Sullivan pointed and substitute Liam Sheehan scored the first of his two points — the second coming a minute later when the ‘keeper deflected a shot over the bar.
They were five points up and cruising when Liam O’Shea hit them with a goal to leave just two points between the sides and set up a grandstand finish going into the final two minutes.
Fergal Griffin sealed the issue with a well-taken point for Mid Kerry who now meet Laune Rangers in the semi-finals.
Scorers for Mid Kerry: S. O’Sullivan 1-2, K. Foley 0-4 (0-2 frees), D. Walsh, D. O’Sullivan, L. Sheehan 0-2 each, G. Sayers, F. Griffin, C. Kelliher, 0-1 each.
Scorers for Kenmare: P. O’Connor 1-5 (0-2 frees), L. O’Shea 1-0, C. Brosnan, A. Sullivan, J. Healy, M. Crowley 0-1 each.
MIKE FRANK RUSSELL contributed even more than his nine-point total would suggest as Laune Rangers defeated St Kieran’s at Fitzgerald Stadium yesterday to clinch a semi-final place against Mid Kerry.
Russell rolled back the years in a man-of-the-match performance, to see the Killorglin side advance. After St Kieran’s Tom McGoldrick had the game’s opening goal, Russell took charge picking out Liam Hassett with a perfect pass and his goal gave them a 1-8 to 1-6 interval lead.
Russell was deadly accurate from play and placed balls after the restart but points from Flor McAuliffe and two from Eamonn O’Donoghue soon had the gap down to a point.
Then came the decisive score in the form of a goal from sub Kevin Flynn. Again Mike Frank Russell was the middle man, accepting the pass from Pa Joy, and re-delivering it to Flynn for the final execution.
Scorers for Laune Rangers: M. F. Russell 0-9 (0-5 frees), L. Hassett 1-1, K. Flynn 1-0, S. Foley 0-2, P. Crowley 0-1.
Scorers for St. Kieran’s: T. McGoldrick 1-8, E. J. O’Donoghue 0-5, F. Mcauliffe and C. O’Connor 0-1 each.
