Bryan Sheehan’s dead ball accuracy key for South Kerry

South Kerry 0-16 Kilcummin 1-8: The dead ball accuracy of Bryan Sheehan proved crucial as South Kerry secured a winning start in this Kerry Senior Football Championship first round tie in Kilcummin yesterday.

The amalgamation had a dream start and raced five points clear before Kilcummin registered a score. Sheehan converted two early frees that were not easy, and further points from Chris Farley, Conor O’Shea and Ian Galvin seemed to signpost a procession for the the visitors.

But Kilcummin then stormed back into the tie with a goal — Kieran Murphy and Kevin McCarthy setting up the impressive Noel Duggan to fist home. Points from Kelvin Teahan and Shane Murphy had the sides level (0-5 to 1-2) and the home fans hoping of an upset. Paul O’Donoghue restored South Kerry’s lead before Sheehan, who was also hugely influential in general play, converted three frees in quick succession.That run of scores was interrupted by a Gary O’Leary free as his side trailed by three points, 1-3 to 0-9, at the interval.

Kilcummin keeper Shane Murphy narrowed the gap with an early ’45 on the restart, but Sheehan responded with another pointed free. The momentum then seemed to swing towards Kilcummin, with points from Gary and Chris O’Leary (2) making the sides level (0-10 to 1-7). But it proved a false dawn as South Kerry again re-asserted their authority. Paul O’Donoghue, Conor O’Shea, Galvin, and Paul O’Connor all landed impressive points before Sheehan, fittingly, fired over a gigantic 65m effort to seal the win. Kilcummin’s misery was compounded by an injury to Kieran Murphy.

Scorers for South Kerry:

B Sheehan (0-8, all frees), C O’Shea, P O’Donoghue and I Galvin (0-2 each), C Farley and P O’Connor (0-1 each).

Scorers for Kilcummin:

N Duggan (1-1), G O’Leary (0-3, f), S Murphy (0-2, 0-1 ’45, 1f), K Teahan and C O’Leary (0-1 each).

SOUTH KERRY:

B O’Connor (Valentia), B Sugrue (Renard), A O’Sullivan (Skellig Rangers), D O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses), G Gibson (Waterville), Denis Daly (St Marys), C O’Shea (St Marys), B O’Sullivan (Valentia), B Sheehan (St Mary’s), O Clifford (Waterville), C Farley (Dromid Pearses), P O’Donoghue (St Marys), I Galvin (Sneem Derrynane), Daniel Daly (St Marys , P O’Connor (Valentia).

Subs:

D O’Donoghue (Sneem/Derrynane) for Daniel Daly (45), B O’Sullivan (Renard) for O Clifford, (52), C Quirke (St Marys) for G Gibson (59).

KILCUMMIN:

S Murphy, D Maher, Damien O’Leary, J Devane, P Casey, S Brosnan, Daniel O’Leary, K O’Gorman, G O’Leary, K Teahan, S McSweeney, N Duggan, C O’Leary, K Murphy, K McCarthy.

Subs:

E O’Connor for C O’Leary (45), J Sheehan for K Teahan (53), M O’Shea for Daniel O’Leary (55), R O’Connor for K Murphy (60).

Referee:

S Mulvihill (St Senan’s).