Late O’Connor penalty does business for Bally
It was a strike of vital importance as they not only advance to the last 16, but more importantly secured senior status for next year, after Gneeveguilla failed to upset East Kerry.
St Brendan’s dominated the opening half with David Culloty and Bryan Costello on top at midfield and lively forwards David O’Callaghan, Alan O’Donoghue and Kerry minor Cillian Fitzgerald firing over some excellent points.
St Brendan’s wing back Mikey Brennan gave his side the ideal start when he collected from Kerry senior panellist David O’Callaghan to blast the ball to the net in the fifth minute.
Two Eanna O’Connor frees and points from Adrian O’Connell, Sean Fogarty and Ronan O’Connor, left St Brendan’s leading 1-6 to 0-5 at half time.
By the 40th minute St Brendan’s had stretched their lead to five (1-9 to 0-7) and things looked gloomy for the South Kerry lads.
But then enter Eanna O’Connor (son of Jack) who won a Hogan Cup for Na Sceilge with a last second goal. In the 45th minute his effort for a point came off the post and when Johnny Clifford bundled into the net it was game on. The lead changed hands a couple times but extra time was required when O’Connor failed to land two late 45s.
Despite the heroics of David O’Callaghan, Bally scored two goals in extra-time that sealed the deal. In the first attack Clifford sent O’Connor through and he rattled the net. O’Connor was instrumental again after his side fell a point behind in the sixth minute of the second period, when he was hauled down by Darran Dineen. It was left to Ronan O’Connor to send St Michael’s/Foilmore into seventh heaven with a spot kick low to right hand corner of the net.
Scorers for St Michael’s Foilmore: E O’Connor 1-3 (3fs), R O’Connor, J Clifford 1-1 each, B Kelly 0-2, B Galvin, A O’Connell, S Fogarty, D O’Sullivan, D Kelly 0-1 each.
Scorers for St Brendan’s: D O’Callaghan 0-6 (3fs), M Brennan 1-1, D Culloty 0-3, J Moriarty, A O’Donoghue and C Fitzgerald 0-2 each, L Poff 0-1.
ST MICHAEL’S FOILMORE: B Smith; C Granfield, M Griffin, Christopher O’Sullivan; Cormac O’Sullivan, B Galvin, A O’Connell; S Fogarty, DJ Moran; D O’Sullivan, R O’Connor, D Kelly; B Kelly, E O’Connor, J Clifford.
Subs: S O’Shea for D O’Sullivan (58), S O’Connor for Christopher O’Sullivan (et), D O’Sullivan for D Kelly (et), A Smith for C Granfield (et).
ST BRENDAN’S: P O’Sullivan (Churchill); T Wallace (Ardfert), R Horgan (Ardfert), D Dineen (Ardfert); L Bastible (J Mitchels), E McCarthy (Ardfert), M Brennan (Churchill); Brian Costello (J Mitchels), D Culloty (Na Gaeil); B Poff (St Pat’s), A O’Donoghue (J Mitchels), Darren Wallace (Ardfert); Cillian Fitzgerald (Churchill), D O’Callaghan (St Pat’s), J Moriarty (J Mitchels).
Subs: S Moloney (J Mitchels) for D Wallace (45), M Ferris (Ardfert) for B Costello (52), L Poff (St Pats) for D Culloty (inj 58), N Sheehy (J Mitchels) for J Moriarty (et).
Referee: James O’Sullivan (Firies)
