Four sent-off as goal-happy Rathmore mount comeback to defeat Kenmare

Sean O’Shea notched 11 points before the Kerry star was sent off alongside team-mate Kevin O’Sullivan in a tetchy incident prior to the final whistle.

Sat, 27 Jul, 2024 - 21:05

Jordan Murphy, Fitzgerald Stadium

Kerry Club SFC, Rd 1: Rathmore 3-11 Kenmare Shamrocks 0-16

After an eventful second-half where there were four red cards issued, two on each side, Rathmore overcame a poor start to win by four points against Kenmare Shamrocks.

Sean O’Shea had scored 0-11 (7f) before the Kerry star was sent off alongside teammate Kevin O’Sullivan in a tetchy incident prior to the final whistle.

Rathmore’s James Darmody was also dismissed on the Rathmore side in the same incident as the eventual victors had been playing with 14 men since the 38th minute following a second yellow card for Brian Friel.

It did not affect their ability to mount a winning comeback. however.

It was a massive opening quarter for the Shamrocks as they led by 0-7 to 0-1 after 13 minutes with O’Shea putting over four points and Stephen O’Brien pitching in another two.

Sean’s brother Dara made a big early defensive interception from Rathmore’s Andrew Moynihan but there was little trouble for Kenmare in the opening 10 minutes or so.

Rathmore were a bit wasteful at the other end but were finding their way back into contention coming towards half-time.

A Brendan O’Keeffe point (after James Darmody and Fionn Murphy were their only other first-half scorers) made it 0-10 to 0-5 on the scoreboard before the break.

By the 36th minute, they were ahead for the first time in the game though as they found the back of the net twice.

Substitute Ciaran Collins’ introduction proved a masterstroke in getting their first goal in the 32nd minute as four minutes later John Moynihan rattled the net to put them in front for the first time at 2-6 to 0-10.

The initiative was now with Rathmore as O’Shea would prove to be Kenmare’s only point scorer in the second period. The 52nd minute was a big moment in the game as Rathmore were awarded a penalty for a foul on Andrew Moynihan.

John Moynihan sent Kieran Fitzgibbon the wrong way with the spot-kick as they had a 3-9 to 0-13 advantage prior to matters spilling over near the end.

The loss is a setback to last year’s runners-up who will be disappointed with how they left their lead slip in the second period.

Scorers for Rathmore: J Moynihan (2-0, 1-0p), C Collins (1-2), F Murphy (1f) and J Darmody (3f) (0-3 each), B O’Keeffe, C Spiers and S Ryan (m) (0-1 each).

Scorers for Kenmare Shamrocks: S O’Shea (0-11, 7f), S O’Brien (0-2), J McCarthy, K O’Sullivan and J Lehane (0-1 each).

Rathmore: W Casey: C O’Connor, A Moynihan, D Murphy: P Moynihan, P Murphy, F Holohan: B O’Keeffe, C Ryan: J Moynihan, F Murphy, B Friel; J Darmody, S Ryan, D Nagle.

Subs: C Collins for D Nagle (H/T), C Spiers for J Moynihan (57).

Kenmare Shamrocks: K Fitzgibbon; C O’Sullivan, J McCarthy, T O’Sullivan: D O’Shea, S O’Sullivan, D O’Connor: D Hallissey, K O’Sullivan: J O’Sullivan, S O’Shea, J Lehane: S O’Brien, TA O’Sullivan, P O’Connor.

Subs: J Tangney for P O’Connor, D Crowley for J O’Sullivan (both 48), J O’Regan for S O’Sullivan, Z O’Shea for TA O’Sullivan (both 57).

Referee: E Moran (Ballydonoghue)