Fitzgerald and McCarthy shoot Kerry South to victory

Is this a GAA first?

On Saturday an official football competition held under the auspices of Waterford Bord na nÓg was decided after a penalty shoot-out at Fraher Field, Dungarvan.

After a thrilling final in the Munster U14 inter divisional tournament for the Jim Power Memorial Trophy, Kerry South and Tipperary were deadlocked on 4-5 each, and two five minute periods of extra-time also failed to separate them.

By prior agreement, the teams then faced up to the penalty shoot-out and, despite having missed from their first attempt, the Kerry side went on to clinch the spoils.

Tipperary’s first two spot kicks were saved, and the accuracy of Dean Fitzgerald and Peter McCarthy was enough to deny Tipperary retaining the crown.

Fitzgerald, from the Rathmore club, was the Kerry South ace throughout, contributing 3-2 in normal time. Ironically, the first of his hat-trick also came from a penalty after McCarthy had given the Kingdom side the lead with their opening goal inside 20 seconds.

Tipperary however, with hurling star Noel McGrath’s brother Brian starring at midfield, were the better side for lengthy spells, and looked to have sealed victory until Kerry South came with a late charge.

Kerry North made it a great day for the Kingdom when they scored a runaway 4-15 to 2-0 victory over an outclassed Limerick opposition in the Plate final.

Scorers for Kerry South: D. Fitzgerald 3-2, P. McCarthy 1-1, B. Courtney 0-3.

Scorers for Tipperary: C. English 1-1, S. Neville 1-1, D. Carroll 1-0, C. Cashman 1-0, D. Egan 0-3, K. Peters 0-1.

KERRY SOUTH: C. Leane; S. Howe, N. O’Brien, D. Naughton; J. O’Donoghue, K. O’Connor, D. O’Brien; P. O’Brien, JJ Herlihy; S. O’Shea, S. O’Sullivan, B. Courtney; P. McCarthy, D. Fitzgerald, D. Casey.

Subs: P. O’Connor for Casey; G. O’Sullivan for Howe.

TIPPERARY: J. Conway; O. O’Dwyer, J. Delahunty, G. Ryan; K. O’Dwyer, K. Peters, D. Leahy; B. McGrath, R. Ivors; D. Carroll, D. Egan, S. Neville; C. English, C. Cashman, K. Floyd.

Subs: R. Nathkaniec for Ivors, P. Feehan for English; Nathkaniec for Ivors, M. Kielt for Carroll.

Referee: T. Walsh, Waterford.