Keith Evans inspires Mid Kerry to deserved win over Dingle

Dingle scored three goals during an prolific first half period. 

Eoghan Hassett, Mid Kerry, and Conchúir Ó Súlleabháin, Dingle, in action during the Kerry SFC. Picture: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD.

Kerry SFC: Mid Kerry 2-13 Dingle 3-07

Last year's beaten finalists Mid Kerry recorded a hard fought opening win over Dingle as Eoghan Hassett and Keith Evans delivered strong showings to get the district over the line.

A second half goal from Hassett powered Mid Kerry into a lead and despite Dingle chipping away, they failed to overturn it. It was a tad disappointing that the beaten club finalists of a few weeks ago could not start their SFC on a positive note despite netting three goals in the opening 16 minutes.

It was an opening half of contrasting quarters. Dingle started the brighter but Mid Kerry certainly finished the stronger. Mid Kerry began well as Kerry senior panelist Keith Evans and Eoghan Hassett kicked them into a two point lead after seven minutes.

Ciaran Kennedy had a great goal chance in between but was thwarted by Gavin H Curran and the Dingle defenders. Dingle would soon enjoy as three goal fest with Dylan Geaney opening their account with a terrific finish to the left bottom corner in the eighth minute for the lead.

The west Kerry men would set the tempo for the remainder of the quarter, sparked by a second goal in the 12th minute as Tom Leo O’Sullivan finished to the net after a terrific pass by Billy O’Connor. It was 2-2 to 0-3 after 12 minutes. Darragh O’Connor grabbed a score for Mid Kerry in response but down the other end, Dylan Geaney got possession and meandered his way through the Mid Kerry defence to again fire low to the left corner to extend their lead.

Mid Kerry would change the narrative in the second quarter. Darren Houlihan got them off the mark in the 21st minute and sixty seconds later, Kerry player Seán O’Brien, after a terrific burst, passed for Kennedy inside and his pace took him around the onrushing Curran to fire low to the net. The gap was reduced - 3-2 to 1-5 after 22 minutes.

The sides would be level at the break, O’Brien, Mike Breen and Darren Houlihan without reply finding the scores for Mid Kerry. As the game resumed Mid Kerry took the lead for the first time as Keith Evans pointed two minutes into the second period.

Paul Geaney immediately leveled the tie but once again Mid Kerry found the net. Eoghan Hassett, who delivered an inspired showing for Laune Rangers in the club championship, used his footwork to create space and fired low past Curran for a 2-9 to 3-3 lead.

By the end of the third quarter Mid Kerry remained on top, 2-10 to 3-5. Dingle were a tad wasteful with their chances. Dylan Geaney, Matthew Flaherty and Brian O’Connor helped reduce matters to the minimum approaching the final ten minutes. Keith Evans would kick two valuable late points to ensure an opening win for the district.

Scorers for Mid Kerry: E Hassett (1-2, 2fs), K Evans (0-5), C Kennedy (1-0), D Houlihan and S O’Brien (0-2 each), D O’Connor and M Breen (0-1) 

Scorers for Dingle: D Geaney (2-1), T L O’Sullivan (1-0) P Geaney (0-2, 1f), C Flannery, M Flaherty, B O’Connor, C Geaney (0-1 each)

DINGLE: G H Curran; S OG Moran, C O’Sullivan, C Flannery; D O’Sullivan, N Geaney, T L O’Sullivan; B O’Sullivan, B O’Connor; M Geaney, P Geaney, M Flaherty; D Geaney, C Geaney, C Bambury.

Subs: B O’Connor for M Geaney (6 inj), T deBrún for C Bambury (43), M Flannery for D O’Sullivan (46), E DeHóra for C O’Sullivan (51) 

MID KERRY: S Coffey (Beaufort); P Kilkenny (Glenbeigh/Glencar); N Breen (Beaufort), S Cleary (Laune Rangers); E Clifford (Laune Rangers), M Breen (Beaufort), J Brosnan (Glenbeigh/Glencar); S O’Brien (Beaufort), L Smith (Glenbeigh/Glencar); D O’Connor (Beaufort), K Evans (Keel), D Houlihan (Cromane); E Hassett ( Laune Rangers), D Cleary (do), C Kennedy (Beaufort).

Subs: G Evans (Keel) for S Cleary (39), L Evans (Keel) for J Brosnan (45 inj), J O’Connor (Beaufort) for D Houlihan (48), S Evans (Keel) for E Hassett (55), R Murphy (Beaufort) for D O’Connor (58) Referee: P O’Sullivan (Firies)