Devine intervention for Na Gaeil as Kerins O’Rahillys relegated for first time
Jack Savage of Kerins O'Rahillys evades Damien Bourke of Na Gaeil during the relegation playoff. Picture: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD
Late drama in Austin Stack Park as for the first time in their history Kerins O’Rahillys are relegated from the Kerry Senior Championship, as Dara Devine struck 1-1 late in extra-time to seal the contest.
Na Gaeil wanted to extend their two-year stay in the senior football championship after reaching the quarter-final this year but it was even more important for Kerins O’Rahillys who have always been a senior club in Kerry since their inception in 1927. But sadly for the Strand Road side they now join the recently relegated Austin Stacks and John Mitchels in the Intermediate grade. Na Gaeil, the youngest Tralee clubs (1979) now stand as the sole Tralee club in the senior grade.
The contest lacked nothing in intensity during for the opening 10 minutes, with sides exchanging points. Jack Savage with his second free of the opening quarter put Strand Road ahead and efforts from Barry John Keane and Savage had Kerins O’Rahillys ahead by three come the quarter's end (0-6 to 0-3).
Na Gaeil fought back soon after as Jack Sheehan and James O’Connor left a margin of one between the sides. Strand Road, last year’s Senior Champions did appear to have the bit between their teeth in the opening half and inspired scores from the young corner-back Jake Foley and Keane restored their three point cushion.
The battle lines were drawn with Stefan Okunbor and Tommy Walsh battling for every ball at the edge of the square while Damian Bourke was involved in a war with Jack Savage.
That lead could have been dashed just two short minutes later as Dan Goggin was sent through to make a swashbuckling charge for the Rahillys goal, Shane Foley made himself big to produce a stunning save to keep the lead unblemished. Na Gaeil with three kickable wides in the half would rue those missed opportunities trailing by three at the interval 0-8 to 0-5.
Na Gaeil certainly came out of the traps better in the early minutes of the second half, Darragh Reen converted from a short range free before Goggin reduced arrears to a single point by the 35th minute, O’Rahillys kicked some bad wides but by quarters end again were ahead by two, Jack Savage added another and gain the gap was three.
Points from Jack Sheehan and Jack Doyle brought Na Gaeil back to within a point in the final ten minutes. Then Na Gaeil were almost were gifted a goal when Dara Devine intercepted poor back pass but with Rahillys bodies back , the ball was deflected out for a 45. Chances came and went for Na Gaeil following three missed opportunities in succession, Devine curled over a free to level matters with five minutes left.
Shane McElligott and Morgan Madden both struck late points as this relegation clash went right down to the wire, neither side could take advantage in stoppage time with twenty more minutes needed to determine a winner.
In similar fashion to the second half, Na Gaeil started brighter, Devon Burns pointed his second placed ball to give the Killeen men the lead for the first time two minutes into extra-time. By the end of the first period it was all Na Gaeil on the scoreboard, James O’Connor struck late in the opening half to make it a two point game at the break 0-15 0-13.
A brace of Jack Savage frees brought Strand Road level six minutes into the second half of extra time, but again nothing could separate these two at 0-16 apiece. But driven on by Damien Bourke, Jack Barry, Diarmuid O’Connor, Jack Doyle and Niall O’Mahony, Na Gaeil finished the stronger. Dara Devine led the late charge for Na Gaeil, a point followed by a goal in the burning embers ensuring Na Gaeil secured their senior status for another year. But Kerins O’Rahillys should never had to suffer relegation in a Kerry Championship that needs a radical overhaul.
D Devine (1-3, 2fs), J Sheehan (0-4, 1f), D Burns (2fs), J O’Connor (0-2 each), D Reen (0-1f ), D O’Connor, D Goggin, J Doyle, M Madden, J Bourke (0-1 each)
J Savage (0-8, 7fs), BJ Keane, C Hayes (0-2 each), J Foley, C Coffey, S McElligott, D Moran (0-1 each)
D Burns; E Doody, N O’Mahony, J Doyle; M Madden, S Okunbor, D Bourke; D O’Connor, J Barry; J O’Connor, D Goggin, K O’Donovan; J Sheehan, R O’Neill, D Reen.
Subs: D Devine for K O’Donovan (48), J Bourke for D Reen (55), R O’Sullivan for R O’Neill (60+3), K O’Donovan for S Okunbor (69), K O’Connor for J Sheehan (80+2)
: S Foley; J Foley, S Brosnan, R O'Callaghan; C Coffey, C Barrett, B Hanafin; D Moran, T Hoare; G Savage, J Savage, BJ Keane; D O’Connor, T Walsh, C Hayes Subs: D Buckley for R O’Callaghan (40), S McElligott for D O’Connor (44), D O’Sullivan for T Walsh (48), R Carroll for B Hanafin (51), B Hanafin for G Savage (ET), D McElligott for J Foley (67)
E Walsh (Rathmore)
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