Kerry SHC: Late Maunsell goal enough to carry Abbeydorney past St Brendan's

It looked like Abbeydorney may have had to go through extra-time in the closing minutes of stoppage time but Maunsell's second goal ensured they were the first team into the last four.

Fri, 12 Jul, 2024 - 21:27

Mortimer Murphy

Kerry SHC quarter-final: Abbeydorney 2-15 St Brendan’s 1-13

A late Oisin Maunsell goal ensured Abbeydorney qualified for the semi-final of the Kerry SHC after a nervy battle with St Brendan’s.

It looked like Abbeydorney may have had to go through extra-time in the closing minutes of stoppage time but Maunsell's second goal ensured they were the first team into the last four.

The game saw 12 additional minutes played due to St Brendan's 'keeper Darren Delaney being stretchered off early in the second half with a suspected broken rib.

St Brendan's had to start without top defender Eric Leen and then lost another Kerry player in Daithi Griffin, who only lasted five minutes.

Underdogs St Brendan’s opened the scoring when Fionan Egan pointed inside the opening minute.

A closely fought opening seven minutes saw the score deadlocked 0-2 a piece before St Brendans' Michael O’Leary hit three points in succession for a 0-5 to 0-2 lead by the first quarter's end.

Back came the battle-hardened St Brendan's men and a 60-metre rocket from Nathan O’Driscoll and two Egan points, the latter a 65-metre free helped level the contest 0-5 a piece by the 19th minute.

O’Leary grabbed a vital score for Abbeydorney, converting a 26th minute free to restore their lead, ending a drought of 14 minutes since their last score.

Talismanic St Brendan's youngster Fionan Egan turned the tide approaching the half-hour mark as he waved the white flag on three separate occasions for a 0-8 to 0-6 lead.

It would, however, be Abbeydorney to lead by the sound of the interval, despite Jack Sheehan having a goal chance saved by Darren Delaney, Daniel O’Leary hit two quickfire points before brother Michael tapped over another free in the final act of the half to lead by the minimum (0-9 to 0-8).

The O’Dorney men started the better in the second half.

David Egan pointed to draw first blood inside two minutes before Oisin Maunsell raised the green flag two minutes later.

Michael O’Leary made a burst through and collided with Delaney, Maunsell gathered the loose sliotar and fired to the net with a miss-hit shot from close range.

Delaney would feel the full force of the collision and after a lengthy period receiving treatment, the 'keeper would be stretchered off.

St Brendan’s did not let their heads drop and replied instantly with a goal.

Liam Óg O’Connor slipped a hand pass to Seamus O’Halloran to hit a bullet to the net to cut the gap 1-10 to 1-8.

Egan - with two frees either side of efforts from Jack Sheehan and Daniel O’Leary - kept the margin at two by the 50th minute.

Daniel O’Leary added his fourth point to extend the gap to three before St Brendan’s almost added their second goal.

Nathan O’Driscoll broke through the cover, but his shot flashed wide.

Ahead of nine additional minutes of stoppage time, Michael O’Leary extended the lead to four points with his sixth free.

St Brendan’s were far from dead and buried as a monster score from Darren Dineen and another Egan free halved the deficit, but Oisin Maunsell then rattled the St Brendan's net while Jack Sheahan added a point.

Scorers for Abbeydorney: M O’Leary 0-7 (6fs), O Maunsell 2-1, D O’Leary 0-4, J Sheehan 0-2, D Egan 0-1.

Scorers for St Brendan's: F Egan 0-10 (8fs), S O’Halloran 1-0, S Brosnan, N O’Driscoll, D Dineen 0-1 each

ABBEYDORNEY: C Bohane; K Dineen, S Egan, M Clifford; J Maunsell, R Donovan, J O’Connor; T Ó hAiniféin, D O’Leary; N O’Mahoney, C O’Sullivan, J Sheehan; O Maunsell, M O’Leary, D Egan.

Subs: B O’Leary for N O’Mahoney (49), K Sheehan for Ó hAiniféin (57), D Hogan for D O’Leary (59), R Ó hAiniféin for J Maunsell (60+3 inj), M Slattery for D Egan (60+8)

ST BRENDAN’S: D Delaney; A McDonagh, S O’Halloran, T Wallace; C Healy, D Griffin, D Dineen; G O’Riordan, J Egan; P Kearney, N O’Driscoll, E Ferris; L Óg O’Connor, S Brosnan, F Egan.

Subs: B Daly for Dineen (5 inj), P O’Mahony for C Healy (9), C Lawlor for D Delaney (40 inj), T O’Sullivan for P Kearney (60), E Leen for A McDonagh (60+2).

Referee: D O’Callaghan (Limerick)