Sliabh Luachra stun Corca Dhuibhne
In ideal conditions at the John Mitchels complex, Tralee, newcomers Rathmore showed scant regard for reputation, as they assumed control from the outset, and were full value for their win.
Corca Dhuibhne had two Kerry minors, Tom O’Sullivan and Conor Geaney along with Mikey Boyle, Peadar Pol Sauerland, Sean Ó Bambaire and Ryan Manning from last year’s all-conquering squad, but they are obviously a side in transition.
Sliabh Luachra laid the foundations for victory in midfield, where JJ Herlihy and Mark Ryan reigned supreme and an attacking half-back line of Patrick Warren, Ciaran O’Connor and Connie O’Connor, whose electrifying pace proved too much for a beleaguered Corca Dhuibhne defence.
SL Rathmore attacked from the throw-in and should have been further ahead at the end of the opening quarter, when they led 0-5 to 0-1.
Dean Fitzgerald scored three points, including two frees, while full-back DJ Murphy joined the attack, and passed to quicksilver Brian Friel, who scored a superb point.
Padraig Oigi Ó Se scored Corca Dhuibhne’s sole reply, as Shane O’Sullivan added another Rathmore point, but Ó Sé also had a goal-bound effort, brilliantly turned behind by Deividas Uosis for a 45.
Even Conor Geaney could not lift his side, as outstanding wing forward, Jamie Brosnan, fired over two fine points.
Friel added another before Rathmore struck for their opening goal, in the 24th minute. Wing back Connie O’Connor cut through the heart of the Corca Dhuibhne defence, before parting to Jamie Brosnan, who finished to the net.
The West Kerry side did rally before the interval, when Sean O’Luing should have netted, but credit to Jerry Cronin for a great save, Conor Geaney struck the post with a close in free, and all they had to show for their purple patch, was two Ó Sé frees and another from the boot of Geaney.
SL Rathmore had a healthy half-time lead (1-8 to 0-4), and despite an early Conor Geaney point Chorcha Dhuibhne simply had no answer to the pace and power of Rathmore.
Tomas Mac a’ tSithigh did give Corca Dhuibhne a glimmer of hope with a 38th minute goal, to reduce the deficit to four, but within two minutes, wing-back Patrick Warren careered through on the left, drew the Dingle cover, before finding Jamie Brosnan, who rifled the ball into the bottom corner.
Shane O’Sullivan added a point and then centre back, Ciaran O’Connor ran from half way, to score a sensational goal to end any hopes of a Dingle comeback. Shane O’Sullivan put the icing on the Rathmore cake with a fourth goal in the 48th minute, and it mattered little that Ryan Manning’s speculative free dropped into the winners’ net late on.
A very impressive start by Sliabh Luachra Rathmore, but sterner tests lie ahead against DL Macroom and Críost Rí.
Sliabh Luachra Rathmore: J Brosnan 2-3, S O Sullivan 1-2, C O’Connor 1-1, and D Fitzgerald 0-3 (0-1 free), B Friel 0- 2, J O’Leary 0-1:
T Mac a’ tSithigh and R Manning 1-0 each, P Oigi O Se 0-3 (0-2 frees), S O Lúing 0-2, C Geaney 0-2 (0-1free), S O Bambaire and N Flannery 0-1 each:
J Cronin, D Cronin, D J Murphy, D O’Callaghan, P Warren, Ciaran O’Connor, Connie O’Connor, J J Herlihy, M Ryan, J O’Leary, B Friel, J Brosnan, D Fitzgerald, S O’Sullivan, I Roche.
B Crowley for I Roche (47):
D Uosis, T Breathnach, M Boyle, B O Conchuir, P P Sauerland, T L O’Sullivan, S O Cathain, M Aghas, P Oigi O Se, S O Bambaire, R Manning, C Feirtear, T Mac a’ tSithigh, S O Lúing, C Geaney:
L O Bambaire for S O Bambaire ( 47), F Cooney for C Feirtear ( 47), N Flannery for C Geaney ( 51 inj):
P Hayes (Kerins O’Rahilly’s).
