Heffernan hat-trick fires Lixnaw

Lixnaw 3-10 Kilmoyley 2-09

However controversy arose four minutes from the end when Kilmoyley veteran Shane Brick appeared to have scored his second goal from a 21 yard free, but was forced to retake the shot after goalkeeper Martin Stackpoole advanced from his line.

Referee John Sexton from Cork ordered the free to be retaken, and booked Stackpoole. From his second attempt, Brick’s effort was stopped by the Lixnaw defence and, after that, the result was never in doubt. A goal would have cut the gap to a point and Kilmoyley players and officials were left fuming after the decision.

Lixnaw, with John ‘Tweek’ Griffin and Kerry U21 hero Brendan Brosnan on top, dominated the midfield exchanges and Heffernan’s hat-trick of goals from 21 yard frees ultimately decided the issue in Lixnaw’s favour, as the Mike Conway-trained side led by 3-5 to 0-6, at half time.

Brick ignited Kilmoyley’s comeback when he goaled early in the second-half but with Brendan Brosnan driving them forward, Enda Galvin putting in a big shift, and James Flaherty scoring some dazzling points, Lixnaw were not going to be denied despite a late Daniel Collins goal which ensured a nervy finish for the winners.

Scorers for Lixnaw: R Heffernan (3-2, 3-2 frees); J Flaherty (0-3); B Brosnan (0-3, 0-1 free); J Wallace (0-1), E Galvin (0-1).

Scorers for Kilmoyley: S Brick (1-6, 0-4 frees); D Collins (1-1); M Regan (0-1), S Maunsell (0-1).

LIXNAW: M Stackpoole; D McCarthy, T McKenna, K Waltz; J Silles, M Corridan, C Fitzmaurice; J Griffin, B Brosnan; C O’Brien, S Power, E Galvin; J Wallace, R Heffernan, J Flaherty (capt). Subs: F Fitzmaurice for K Waltz; P Corridan for E Galvin.

KILMOYLEY: A McCabe; S Murnane, J McCarthy, J Sullivan; J Godley, T Murnane, Dougie Fitzell; David Fitzell, S Brick; S Maunsell, M Regan, D Collins; P O’Connor, M Murnane, A Royle.

Subs: A McCarthy for M Regan; T Maunsell for J Sullivan; B Harris for M Murnane, I Brick for Dougie Fitzell.

Referee: J Sexton (Cork).