Kenmare dig deep to oust last year's beaten SFC finalists, Mid Kerry

Kerry star Sean O’Shea sets up his outstanding brother Dara for a left-footed finish to the net for the decisive second half goal that sets up a quarter final against St Brendan's

PRESSURE: Kenmare Shamrocks' Sean O'Shea tackled by Mid Kerry's Pa Kilkenny in the Kerry SFC Rd 3 game at Lewis Road, Killarney on Sunday.

Kerry SFC Rd 3: Kenmare Shamrocks 2-9 Mid Kerry 1-11.

The Kerry SFC Rd 3 tie of the weekend turned out to be everything it was billed as, with Kenmare Shamrocks coming from five points down to pip Mid Kerry by the bare minimum after a thrilling contest at Lewis Road in Killarney.

With corner-forward Ciaran Kennedy unstoppable in the opening half, including diverting Keith Evans’ shot for a point to the net in the 23rd minute, the divisional side, runners-up in three of the last four seasons, enjoyed a four-point lead at the interval (1-6 to 0-5).

When Mike Breen fired over immediately on the resumption, Kenmare Shamrocks appeared to be in dire straits. However, two quick white flags from Sean O’Shea and wing-back Tommy Cronin, followed by a coolly-converted Paul O’Connor penalty, brought the sides to parity after 45 minutes (1-7 apiece).

Mid Kerry responded in great style, Sean Cleary and two Eoghan Hassett frees, moving them three to the good once more, before the club side struck for their critical second goal in the 53rd minute – Kerry star O’Shea setting up his outstanding brother Dara for a left-footed finish to the net.

Seizing the initiative, points from Kevin O’Sullivan and substitute Jack O’Sullivan moved Shamrocks two to the good (2-9 to 1-10), but they received an almighty reprieve in the 60th minute when Breen seemed to be fouled in the square by goalkeeper Kieran Fitzgibbon, but no spot-kick ensued.

Never throwing in the towel, despite seeing Kennedy receive a black card down the final furlong, Mid Kerry could only add another Hassett pointed free, as Kenmare Shamrocks saw the job through in a dramatic finale, Dara O’Shea’s goal, and marking job on the speedy Evans, being pivotal to the win.

Scorers for Kenmare Shamrocks: S O’Shea (0-5, 3fs), P O’Connor (1-0, pen), D O’Shea (1-0), K O’Sullivan (0-2), T Cronin, J O’Sullivan (0-1 each).

Scorers for Mid Kerry: C Kennedy (1-3), E Hassett (0-5, frees), R Murphy, M Breen, S Cleary (0-1 each).

KENMARE SHAMROCKS: K Fitzgibbon; D Crowley, T O’Sullivan, D O’Connor; D O’Shea, J McCarthy, T Cronin; D Ciuciu, K O’Sullivan; J Lehane, S O’Shea, D Hallissey; S O’Brien, P O’Connor, T Murnane.

Subs: S O’Sullivan for Lehane (40), J O’Sullivan for Hallissey (48), J Tangney for P O’Connor (53), T ‘Atlantic’ O’Sullivan for Ciuciu (60+2), C O’Sullivan for Murnane (60+4).

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); R Murphy (Beaufort), K Evans (Keel), D Houlihan (Cromane); E Hassett (Laune Rangers), E Coffey (Beaufort), C Kennedy (Beaufort).

Subs: D O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar) for Houlihan (47), R Diggin (Laune Rangers) for Murphy (47), L Evans (Keel) for Brosnan (54).

Referee: B Brosnan.(Glenflesk)