O’Rahilly’s and Mid Kerry serve up a classic

KILLARNEY was a busy place last Sunday. At St Mary’s Cathedral a special celebration took place in honour of the Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican — Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty — who saved about 6,500 Jews from death by the Nazis during the Second World War.

A few miles up the road, thousands were in Fitzgerald Stadium to watch a gripping AIB Kerry SFC final and a fantastic junior final in which Skellig Rangers had a famous victory.

It was a dull dark damp evening but the county final lifted the spirits of everybody ending all square — a fitting result as neither Kerins O’Rahillys nor Mid Kerry deserved to lose.

I confess to having a certain affinity with both teams. My late Uncle, Fr Brian Kelly, was chairman of the Mid Kerry Board and trained them to their first county title in 1967. As a young lad I played with the famous Strand Road club and have naturally a great grá for the “narries” since.

Sunday’s game was played in a great competitive but sporting spirit, with Mid Kerry threatening to run away with the match in the first half. A fine display by Aidan O’Shea, son of the legendary Jacko and two brilliant goals by Kieran Foley seemed to put the game beyond O’Rahilly’s reach.

When they trailed by seven points midway through the second half it seemed all over for the Tralee men. The toll of six matches in seven weeks and particularly, the defeat to marvellous Nemo Rangers in the Munster club seemed to have drained them.

But in a great final quarter, dominated by rising star David Moran, O’Rahillys fought back to earn a deserved draw which will do wonders for the coffers of the county board.

Referee Donal Casey, did a very good job in accordance with the spirit in which the game was played rather than the letter of the law. A less sensible official might have issued red instead of yellow on a couple of occasions but it would have been a travesty.

Instead the Scart official kept sensible control and also blew up the game when Darran O’Sullivan, who showed his class once again, just missed with a last gasp opportunity for the Mid Kerry lads.

Much of the talk afterwards was about David Moran and Tommy Walsh and if they’ll head to try out for the AFL.

If they do, they will carry the good wishes of all but, naturally, we’d be hoping they’ll stay in the Kingdom.

Walsh burst on the scene this year and was a clear winner of the Young Player of the Year award and a brilliant career stretches before him as it does for his younger brother Barry John scorer of a crucial goal on Sunday.

The more I see of young Moran, the more he looks the complete deal. He has got everything — physique, intelligence, confidence, composure and skill. On Sunday he was Rahillys ‘Scarlet Pimpernel’. He is destined for greatness wherever he goes be it AFL or GAA. For the sake of O’Rahillys and Kerry I hope he and Walsh stay at home. But, as I said, it is their careers so their decisions must be respected.

Talking about Australia. What are the chances of Tadhg Kennelly playing for Kerry late in next year’s championship? If the Sydney Swans don’t go all the way to the grand final of the AFL don’t be surprised if the Listowel man trots out in Croke Park next autumn in the green and gold.