Four-goal Casey inspires Kilgarvan to glory 

Kilgarvan manager Mickey Foley confirmed post-match that they will not be looking to go senior as they have a panel of just twenty players. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Kerry intermediate hurling championship final: Kilgarvan 5-11 St Brendan’s 1-9  

The much-used maxim that goals win games was once again proved correct as Kilgarvan made quick work of a fancied St Brendan’s Ardfert side, scoring four goals in the opening twenty minutes of this county intermediate hurling championship final.

Despite St Brendan’s looking lively during the opening six minutes, with Brendan O’Connor converting an early 65, Kilgarvan, and in particular their full-forward Daniel Casey took over.

When he rounded a defender in the 8th minute, before crashing the sliotar to the St Brendan's net, it was an omen of what lay ahead for the Ardfert side, who were to lose a third county final.

Casey, a former member of the Kerry senior hurling squad, had too much pace and guile for a beleaguered St Brendan’s defence and within a minute of his opening goal, Casey finished to the net again. 

O’Connor replied with two points for the North Kerry side, but Kilgarvan struck for another goal at the end of the opening quarter, when Casey turned provider.  He found Glyn Egan, who fired home goal number three.

St Brendan’s were on the ropes at this stage as they trailed 3-2 to 0-3 but they were on the canvas by the 20th minute when Sean Godfrey’s long-range free dropped into the danger area and Daniel Casey completed his hat-trick.

Sean Godfrey then added four points from frees and play. Kilgarvan looked to be in an unassailable position at half time, leading 4-6 to 0-6 and St Brendan’s needed a miracle.

Kilgarvan’s physicality never allowed St Brendan’s get back into the game as Corey Murphy and Tadgh O’Donoghue controlled midfield and 'keeper Patrick O’Shea along with Liam Twomey, Shane O’Sullivan and Ronan Foley were dominant throughout.

Godfrey kept the scoreboard ticking over as St Brendan’s were totally dependent on O’Connor for scores with Hugh Lenihan chipping in with a fine point.

But when Brendan O’Connor finished a loose ball to the net in the 55th minute, St Brendan’s contemplated a late comeback but man of the match Daniel Casey scored his fourth goal in the final minute.

Kilgarvan manager Mickey Foley confirmed post-match that they will not be looking to go senior as they have a panel of just twenty players.

Scorers for Kilgarvan: D Casey (4-1), S Godfrey (0-8, 6fs), G Egan (1-0), R O’Sullivan and R Foley (0-1 each).

St Brendan’s: B O’Connor (1-7, 5fs, 1’65), H Lenihan (0-2) 

KILGARVAN: P O’Shea; G Donovan, L Twomey, F O’Sullivan; S O’Sullivan, C O’Connell, E O’Shea; C Murphy, T O’Donoghue; K Harrington, S Godfrey, R Foley; R O’Sullivan, D Casey, G Egan.

Subs: J Foley for G Donovan (37), P Dillon for F O’Sullivan (53), D Murphy for T O’Donoghue (60) St Brendans: T J Stack; C Kelly, P Mulrennan, J Davis; G Raggett, P O’Sullivan, F O’Connor; D O’Sullivan, D Horgan; C McDonagh, K Best, K O’Mahony; H Lenihan, T Mackessy, B O’Connor.

Subs: B Doyle for C McDonagh (24), E Kearney for K Best (h/t), D Casey for K O’Mahony (36), J Hussey for T Mackessy (53) L Ryan for J Davis (56) Referee: M Hennessy (Ballyduff)