Geaneys grab scores as determined Dingle hit back

Rathmore 2-08 Dingle 1-16: Dingle produced a strong second half comeback to overcome their Rathmore hosts in yesterday’s enthralling Kerry SFC first round tie.

The hosts looked odds on to claim victory after two Paul Murphy goals helped them to a 2-5 to 0-8 interval lead.

But 11 points from cousins Paul and Conor Geaney and a much better defensive effort in the second period proved the foundation for Dingle’s win.

Aidan O’Mahony’s absence through a suspension from last year’s competition was keenly felt in the second half as the East Kerry outfit lost their way.

Rathmore stormed into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead with Mark Reen impressing but their West Kerry opponents were level at five points apiece by the 18th minute with Paul Devane catching the eye.

But then Rathmore struck in devastating fashion with Murphy finding the net twice in three minutes. The first arrived in the 22nd minute when he fisted home after good build up play from George O’Keeffe and John Moynihan. His second was a powerful individual effort which helped Rathmore to lead 2-5 to 0-8 at half-time.Those strikes seemed to sting Dingle into action and they reeled off four unanswered points before Brendan O’Keeffe’s 44th minute free pulled Rathmore level (2-6 to 0-12).

The hosts couldn’t build on this score however as Dingle went three ahead on two separate occasions. Substitute Micheal Flannery got the crucial goal for the victors on the stroke of full-time as George O’Keeffe scored a consolation point for Rathmore.

Scorers for Dingle: P Geaney (0-6, 1f), C Geaney (0-5, 1f), M Flannery (1-0), P Devane (0-3), B O’Sullivan and B Kelliher (0-1 each).

Scorers for Rathmore: P Murphy (2-0), M Reen (0-3), B O’Keeffe (0-2, 1f), E Lawlor (f), J Moynihan and G O’Keeffe (0-1 each).

RATHMORE: P McCarthy, C Jenkins, C Murphy, MJ Kelliher, J O’Sullivan, TJ Friel, G O’Keeffe, D McCarthy, D O’Sullivan, B O’Keeffe, P Murphy, C Kelly, M Reen, E Lawlor, J Moynihan.

Subs: M Ryan for McCarthy (39), D Fitzgerald for Kelly (41) and T Mahony for Friel (50).

DINGLE: GH Curran, TL O’Sullivan, P O’Connor, C O’Sullivan, M Flaherty, A O’Connor, B Kelliher, B O’Sullivan, D O’Sullivan, Paul Devane, M Geaney, C Geaney, T Sheehy, P Geaney, M O’Connor.

Subs: M Flannery for Sheehy (50), G Curran and M O’Connor (59) and Padraig Devane for Paul Devane (60 +1).

Referee: P Hayes (Kerins O’Rahillys)