Kelly the kingpin as East Kerry grab title

East Kerry 1-16 An Ghaeltacht 0-16

Full marks also to East Kerry’s coach James Fleming of Dr Crokes, who came up with the perfect game plan, and the ability of the his charges to work the ball out of defence had all the hallmarks for the famous Killarney club.

An Ghaeltacht were 0-6 to 0-1 adrift after 15 minutes, as they could never cope with the pace of East Kerry’s two man full forward line, Kelly and Dara Roche.

Two points each from Kelly and Roche and one from Kieran Murphy and the excellent Shane Cronin had East Kerry well on their way to victory before An Ghaeltacht introduced Rob Ó Sé to midfield. That move turned the tide somewhat as the westerners closed to within a point, but late points from Kelly, Roche and Kearney saw East Kerry lead 0-9 to 0-6 at the interval. An Ghaeltacht’s gamble of not starting Kerry minor Tomás Ó Sé (missed training due to dancing commitments) proved costly as he impressed when introduced.

The crucial score came in the 40 minute when Shane Cronin collected from Pádraig De Brún and drilled the ball to An Ghaeltacht’s net and give East Kerry a 1-12 to 0-10 lead. Despite late An Gaeltacht pressure, East Kerry held out for the win, a first since 2004.

Scorers for East Kerry: G Kelly 0-6 (0-2 frees), S Cronin 1-1, D Roche 0-3, P Clifford 0-2 (0-1 ’45), D O’Donoghue, K Murphy, P De Brun and L Kearney 0-1 each.

Scorers for An Ghaeltacht: S Ó Muircheartaigh 0-4 (0-3 frees), P Breathnach 0-3, E Ó Conchúir and S Ó Gairbhí 0-2 (0-1 free) each, B Ó Beaglaoich 0-2, C Ó Gairbhí, C Ó Beaglaoich, and T Ó Sé 0-1 each.

EAST KERRY: A Farrell (Spa), D O’Donoghue (Spa), P O Sullivan (Gneeveguilla), S Courtney (Glenflesk), J McCarrick (Glenflesk), T Hussey (Spa), J O’Donoghue (Firies) , K Murphy (Glenflesk), L Kearney (Spa), D Rice (Fossa) , S Cronin (Spa), P de Brún (Firies), G Kelly (Glenflesk), D Roche (Glenflesk), P Clifford (Fossa).

Subs: J Flynn (Firies) for J O’Donoghue (40), D Brosnan (Gneeveguilla) for T Hussey (43), J Clifford (Listry) for P De Brun (55).

AN GHAELTACHT: S Ó Lúing, C Ó Gairbhia, C Ó Lúing, C Ó Murchú, M Ó Gormáin, B Ó Beaglaoich, P Ó Gairbhí, B Ó Murchú, C Ó Beaglaoich, P Breathnach, E Ó Conchúir, P J Mac Láimh, S Ó Banbaire, S Ó Muircheartaigh, S Ó Gairbhí.

Subs: R Ó Sé for P Ó Gairbhí (15), T Ó Sé for B Ó Murchú (h/t), Colm Ó Beaglaoich for PJ Mac Láimh (50), B Ó Murchu for S Ó Bambaire (57).

Referee: B Griffin (Clounmacon).