East Kerry’s late flourish denies Rangers

THEY may have withdrawn their services from last year’s Kerry SFC, but East Kerry marked their return to championship action in style in Beaufort on Saturday evening.

Coached by James Sheehan, who guided Mid Kerry to glory in 2008, the divisional outfit produced a storming finish to take the spoils against the Killorglin club. East Kerry trailed by three points with seven minutes remaining but they unleashed a blistering late scoring spree that yielded 1-4 without reply to secure victory.

The return of Spa to the intermediate ranks has been of immense benefit to East Kerry and it was their attacking duo, Michael O’Donoghue and Niall O’Mahony, who sparkled up front. O’Donoghue claimed 1-6, with his freetaking precise and his second-half goal vital. O’Mahony has enhanced his game after a winter of training with the Kerry senior footballers and he fired over five outstanding points. East Kerry also had leading performers in full-back Brian Russell, midfielder Andrew Garnett and wing-forward Jack Sherwood.