Rearguard action gives Glenbeigh/Glencar victory in Mid Kerry derby
EXPERIENCE: Darran O'Sullivan helped his side to an upset win. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
Glenbeigh/Glencar produced a shock victory over fellow Mid Kerry side Beaufort on Saturday evening in the Kerry Intermediate Championship quarter-final, on a day when too many of Beaufort’s bigger names didn’t perform.
In a match that was tough viewing for long periods, they held their nerve in the final quarter when Beaufort pushed to retrieve matters for themselves. A big bonus for the victors was the fact both Pa Kilkenny and Jack Brosnan started as although Kilkenny didn’t finish the game, Brosnan managed to hold firm throughout the game.
While Darran O’Sullivan’s experience was evident for the victors it’s possible they would not have won the game only for the prowess of Liam Smith at midfield. Beaufort scored only one point in the opening 20 minutes, that from Nathan Breen in the seventh minute as O’Sullivan pointed for the visitors to put them 0-3 to 0-1 ahead. Glenbeigh/Glencar maintained a lead at half-time of 0-5 to 0-4 as despite Ronan Murphy levelling matters after the break for Beaufort, they could not break down the strong defensive set-up that their opponents successfully implemented.
Liam Smith put the visitors 0-8 to 0-5 up after 38 minutes as Cian Knight denied Nathan Breen after the latter managed to get through for a goal chance. Glenbeigh/Glencar were shifting between one and two point leads but they probably should not have had the worry they endured during a prolonged period of injury time had they taken a double goal chance in the 59th minute. Kerry’s third choice goalkeeper Sean Coffey denied them in the first instance before Sean Kelliher saved Beaufort with the rebounded effort as Glenbeigh/Glencar’s advantage stood at 0-11 to 0-8.
The hosts made a somewhat desperate bid to salvage matters in putting Coffey up into the forward line late on and had substitute goalkeeper Fionn O’Neill come on instead of Liam Carey. It nearly paid off to dramatic effect. Before that Fergal Hallissey made it a two-point game in putting over a second free of the game as Darragh O’Connor almost stole in for an unlikely goal for Beaufort only to be denied by the woodwork. Another Beaufort substitute Josh Coffey saw his effort a rebound block as Ciaran Kennedy eventually pointed to leave the margin at one.
Referee Eddie Walsh allowed play to continue and a high ball came into Coffey’s path. His shot was blocked to the sound of the final whistle as Glenbeigh/Glencar celebrated reaching their first Intermediate semi-final since coming up to the grade following their 2017 All-Ireland Junior Club title win.
G O’Grady (0-4, 1’45), D O’Sullivan (0-3, 1f), L Smith (0-2), L Roche and C Teahan (0-1 each)
: N Breen, F Hallissey (2f) and Jack O’Connor (2f) (0-2 each), R Murphy, D O’Connor, C Kennedy and L Carey (0-1 each)
: C Knight; O O’Connor, T Quirke, C Doyle; ST Sheahan, L Roche, A Roche; C McGillicuddy, L Smith; D O’Sullivan, P Kilkenny, J Brosnan; C Teahan, G O’Grady, R O’Donovan Subs: C Purcell for J Brosnan (Temp, 13-15), C Purcell for P Kilkenny (32), A O’Connor for ST Sheahan (43)
t: S Coffey; G Hartnett, S Kelliher, E Coffey; K O’Sullivan, N Breen, S O’Brien; R Murphy, M Breen; D O’Connor, C Kennedy, F Hallissey; L Carey, J O’Connor, P Doona Subs: M Neary for K O’Sullivan (36), J Coffey for P Doona (43), F O’Neill for L Carey (60)
E Walsh (Rathmore)
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