Mikey Geaney’s vital goal for Dingle

Mon, 01 Jun, 2015 - 01:00

Mortimer Murphy

Undoubtedly, the defining moment came 11minutes from time when Mikey Geaney scored a crucial goal to give Dingle a four point lead which proved enough in the conditions. The intense nature of the exchanges and the wet and windy conditions, ensured that scores were at an absolute premium.

In fact, the opening half only yielded four scores as players struggled with the elements. Paul Geaney opened the scoring from a free in the opening minute and two minutes later, Kerry minor Conor Geaney, from a free, stretched Dingle’s the lead to two points.

Paul Geaney scored Dingle’s first goal in the 7th minute to move his side 1-2 to 0-0 in front. It could and should have been worse for Milltown-Castlemaine, but a goal bound effort from Conor Geaney, came back off the crossbar.

Milltown-Castlemaine’s only score of the opening half came when Cathal Moriarty miss-hit a free kick and Ciaran Kelliher was on hand to punch the ball to the Dingle net. Former Kerry player David Geaney, who has transferred back to Dingle from Dunboyne, was introduced in the opening half and his experience was crucial to his side’s victory.

Dingle retired 1-2 to 1-0 in front at the interval, but the game was in balance, as conditions bordered on treacherous.

Mikey Geaney and Donal Kelliher swapped early points in the second half, but the Mid Kerry club were building up a head of steam, and were on level terms by the 40th minute, thanks to a Cathal Moriarty free and a fine effort from Pa Wrenn. The Geaney brothers, Mikey and David, combined in the 45th minute, with David giving Dingle a one point lead.

Then in the 49th minute, came the defining moment when a long ball from Paul Geaney put Mikey Geaney through on goal, and he gave Cormac Leane no chance.

Dingle had now moved 2-4 to 1-3 in front and they also had the momentum with their defence, particularly Gavan Curran, Johnny B Brosnan, Patrick O’Connor and Breandán Kelliher repelling any late Milltown-Castlemaine attacks. Marcus Mangan converted a long range free, to leave a goal between the sides with five minutes remaining.

The game ended fractiously and referee Brendan Griffin (who had a fine game in the circumstances) had little choice but to issue a second yellow to Mikey Geaney and two straight reds to Dingle’s Daniel Ryan and Milltown/ Castlemaine’s substitute Derek Twiss.

Dingle now advance to Round 3 while Milltown/Castlemaine will play Kerins O’Rahilly’s in the losers round, on a date yet to be fixed by the CCC.

Scorers for Dingle: P Geaney (1-1, 1 free), M Geaney (1-1), C Geaney (free) and D Geaney (0-1 each)

Scorers for Milltown/Castlemaine: C Kelliher (1-0), C Moriarty, M Mangan (free), P Wrenn and D Kelliher (0-1 each).

DINGLE: S Flaherty; M Flannery, P O’Connor, John B Brosnan; G Curran, B Kelliher, Patrick Devane; B O’Sullivan, D O’Sullivan; T L O’Sullivan, M Geaney, Paul Devane; C Geaney, P Geaney, D Ryan.

Subs: D Geaney for M Flannery (20) , T B Brosnan for Paul Devane (46), Paul Devane for Patrick Devane ( 56) , M Evans for C Geaney ( 59).

MILLTOWN/CASTLEMAINE: C Leane; D Murphy, M Mangan, P Carroll; J Blennerhassett, P Wrenn, D Roche; M Burke, B Delaney; C Kelliher, D Kelliher, N Wrenn; C Moriarty, S Murphy, J Flynn.

Subs: J Hayes for J Flynn (48) Derek Twiss for C Kelliher (58) Referee: B Griffin (Clounmacon)