Firies flying high as Ballymacelligott await in Kerry Premier JFC semi-final

Favourites Ballymac see off stern Annascaul challenge on Sunday, and will play their near neighbours next weekend in the last four

Ballymacelligott full back Dan O'Shea moves the ball away from Fiachra Ennis of Ardfert in last year's Kerry Premier JFC semi-final. Both sides are back in the last four next weekend.

FARRANFORE is the smallest village in Europe to host an international airport and a railway station but the local Firies GAA club have a sporting chance to put it in lights next weekend.

They beat neighbours Currow on Saturday in a quarter-final thriller, and a few kilometres in another direction sits Ballymacelligott, who they will face in Kerry's Premier JFC semi-final, most likely in Tralee.

Last year’s beaten finalists, Ballymac, loo the side to beat after an impressive final quarter charge saw them overcome a stern Annascaul side, 1-19 to 1-12. Most impressive were man of the match Micheál Reidy from wing back, Vinny Horan, Aidan Breen and Donal Daly. Despite a red card late on for Daire Keane (second yellow) and Aidan Breen having a penalty saved, they held their nerve when a Killian Falvey goal for Annascaul made it a one-score game entering the final quarter (1-13 to 1-10).

It was a tight enough opening half with a Vinny Horan showing super vision to take a quick mark to the inrushing Niall Collins, who gave Tommy Pierce no chance with a rocket to the Annascaul net. Despite some excellent accuracy from Killian Falvey, Cathal Ferriter, James Crean and Jason Hickson, Ballymac were the better side and should have scored two goals, with Vinny Horan having a shot going over instead of under and Annascaul's Joe Hoare turned a James Kenny bullet behind.

Ballymac dominated the final ten minutes as Annascaul ran out of puff and six more points saw them safely into the semis where Firies now await. They came from behind to defeat Currow 2-13 to 1-8. Firies' full-forward line of Aaron Flynn, Mike Daly and Stephen Palmer contributed 2-9 as the Blues had too much firepower for a Currow side that were in with a chance in this quarter-final right to the final whistle. John McMahon top scored for Currow with 2-2 while John Buckley hit 1-3 but it wasn’t enough to beat their neighbours.

Inspired by the marauding Cillian Trant in midfield, St Senan’s delivered an impressive six-point win (3-12 to 1-12) over a fancied Keel to advance to the other semi against Ardfert.

Trant was the spark in midfield and second half goals by Seán O'Connell, Seánie McGrath and Tomás Dillon sent the North Kerry men through and they will now face Ardfert in next weekend’s semi-final. Ardfert had to battle all the way to beat Castlegregory 1-14 to 0-13 in a bad-tempered game in Lerrig. The decisive goal was scored in the second half by substitute and Kerry senior hurler Colin Walsh.

Premier JFC semi-finals: Ballymac v Firies, St Senan’s v Ardfert; JFC semi finals: Cordal v Tarbert, Knocknagoshel v Duagh.