Sheehan swings it for South Kerry

THE main difference between the teams in Caherciveen yesterday was that South Kerry had the overall strength to match their obvious ambitions to go far in the Garveys Kerry SFC.

They might have been slow starters, but a goal from Bryan Sheehan in injury-time before the break confirmed a steady improvement and they were well in control before his St. Mary’s team-mate Daniel Daly scored their second goal nearing the end.

Sheehan had started at full-forward but after Rangers had opened up a 0-4 to 0-1 lead by the 9th minute, he was quickly brought out to midfield in an effort to ease the pressure. And, true to form, he achieved that impressively. Additionally, Declan O’Sullivan was to assume a key role around the half-forward line while Seamus O’Sullivan settled down to exert a strong influence at midfield at different stages.

After Gary O’Driscoll missed a goal chance set up by Sheehan in the 18th minute, he levelled scores almost immediately afterwards before a point from Rangers midfielder Paul Costello was cancelled out by Daniel Daly. In remaining time, South Kerry were dominant and they led 1-8 to 0-7 at half-time.

Just as they had begun the game, Shannon Rangers made the better start to the second-half, with three unanswered points inside four minutes. But, it was a case of flattering to deceive and they lost ground steadily as the South Kerry defence got on top. Stephen O’Sullivan was to the forefront at full-back and Killian Young at left-half was another to do well. Sheehan’s ball-winning ability was central to a lot of South Kerry’s attacking play and, for all their determined play, Shannon Rangers could not match them on the scoreboard. It meant that South Kerry were four points in front before the second goal came and after that all that was in doubt was the winning margin.

Scorers for South Kerry: B. Sheehan 1-7 (0-2 frees); D. Daly 1-2; D. O’Sullivan (0-1 free) and G. O’Driscoll 0-2 each; S. O’Sullivan, M. O’Connor and S. O’Dwyer 0-1 each.

Scorers for Shannon Rangers: P. Kennelly 0-7 (0-5 frees); P. Costello 0-2; S. Enright, A. Langan and E. Mangan 0-1 each.

SOUTH KERRY: R. Whyte (Skeem/Derrynane); W. O’Sullivan (Skellig Rangers), S. O’Sullivan (do), D. O’Dwyer (Waterville); K. O’Dwyer (do), C. O’Sullivan (Skellig Rangers), K. Young (Renard); C. O’Driscoll (Skellig Rangers), S. O’Sullivan (Waterville); Daniel O’Sullivan (do), Declan O’Sullivan (Piarsaigh na Dromoda), G. O’Driscoll (Skellig Rangers); D. Daly (St. Mary’s), B. Sheehan (do, capt..), C. Keating (Skellig Rangers).

Subs: M. O’Connor (Sneem-Derrynane) for C. O’Sullivan (44); B. O’Dwyer (Waterville) for Keating (48); N. O’Driscoll (St. Mary’s) for O’Driscoll and K. Casey (Renard) for W. O’Sullivan (58).

SHANNON RANGERS: S. Dee (Beale); J. Griffin (do), C. O’Mahony (Ballydonoghue), P. Collins (Beale); D. Wren (Tarbert), S. Enright (Tarbert), M. O’Mahony (Ballydonoghue); J. King (Beale), P. Costello (Ballyduff); A. Langan (Tarbert), J. Wren (do), P. Kennelly (Ballydonoghue); T. Joy (Beale), D. Leahy (Tarbert), E. Mangan (Ballylongford).

Subs: N. Long (Asdee) for O’Mahony (second half); K. Mulvihill (Ballylongford) for Leahy (47); J. Enright (Ballydonoghue) for Mangan (48); E. McElligott (Asdee) for King (56).

Referee: Mike Brosnan (Spa).