St Mary's finish with a flourish to reclaim South Kerry crown

Bryan Sheehan nailed a couple of long-range frees to see off Dromid Pearses. 

St Mary's goalkeeper Bryan Sheehan. PICTURE: Don MacMonagle

South Kerry final: St Mary's 1-7 Dromid Pearses 0-8 

A couple of long-range Bryan Sheehan frees highlighted St Mary’s victory over reigning champions Dromid Pearses in Waterville on Saturday afternoon, as the Cahersiveen side recaptured the Jack Murphy Cup.

Jack Daly tapped into the net from close range in the fourth minute for a goal. It would be their high point in a low-scoring first half, though.

Early injuries forced both sides into changes, which included the introduction of Dromid great Denis ‘Shine’ O’Sullivan to the field, joining his son Donagh on the field of play.

Dilan O’Donoghue pointed an attacking mark for Dromid’s first score in the 12th minute, but Tadgh O’Connor kicked St Mary’s only point of the opening half a couple of minutes later.

Dilan O’Donoghue (free) and Shane O’Connor – both flown home from Australia for the game – kicked excellent points for Dromid, and Donagh ‘Shine’ O’Sullivan levelled matters before the break, leaving the sides heading for the dressing rooms with the score at 1-1 to 0-4.

St Mary's were now playing with the breeze for the second half. Bryan Sheehan’s first free came in the 33rd minute from 60 metres out, but St Mary's were unable to further punish Dromid on the scoreboard as they kicked a number of wides. Dilan O’Donoghue reversed the scoreline with a brace of frees, and Graham O’Sullivan kicked the score of the game to give Dromid a two point lead with a quarter to play.

St Mary's replied in style and were soon level with two well taken points from Jack Daly & Seán Cournane. Donagh O’Sullivan gave Dromid the lead once more with an excellent free from a tight angle, though.

Bryan Sheehan & Seán Cournane exchanged places to bring the South Kerry great outfield in the 52nd minute, and he rose to field a super catch with the following kickout. That led to a free, and he made no mistake from 60 metres again to lift his team and their supporters as he levelled the game.

The game seemed destined for a stalemate, but St Mary’s flourished towards the end of the game. Anthony Cournane and Darren Casey scored the crucial points to reclaim the Jack Murphy Cup for St Mary's.

Man of the Match: Conor O’Shea (St Marys).

Scorers for St Marys: Jack Daly (1-1), Bryan Sheehan (0-2f), Tadgh O’Connor (0-1), Seán Cournane (0-1), Anthony Cournane (0-1), Darren Casey (0-1).

Scorers for Dromid Pearses: Dilan O’Donoghue (0-4, 3f, 1mk), Donagh O’Sullivan (0-2f), Graham O’Sullivan (0-1), Shane O’Connor (0-1).

ST MARYS: B Sheehan, O Moran, C O’Donoghue, J O’Sullivan, A Coffey, D Casey, C O’Shea, K O’Driscoll, D O’Sullivan, A Walsh, A Cournane (capt), D Keating, S Cournane, J Daly, B O’Donoghue.

Subs: T O’Connor for O’Sullivan (9), D O’Sullivan for O’Connor (27), Adam Quirke for B O’Donoghue (53).

DROMID PEARSES: C O’Shea, S J O’Sullivan, G O’Sullivan, P J O’Sullivan, C O’Shea, S O’Connor, P Mangan, Dom O’Sullivan, N O’Connor, M J Curran, K Farley, K O’Shea, Don O’Sullivan, N O’Shea, D O’Donoghue.

Subs: Den O’Sullivan for K O’Shea (9). T Curran for MJ Curran (46).

Referee: Paul Hayes (Kerins O’Rahillys)