Firies stun Ardfert in extra-time thriller to claim Kerry Premier junior crown

Two years after collecting the junior crown, the men from Farranfore added the Premier junior title

Firies crest

Kerry JPFC final: Firies 0-16 Ardert 1-11 (after extra-time)   

Coming back from a five-point deficit in normal time, 14-man Firies produced a thundering display to deservedly outlast Ardfert in extra-time, to lift the Kerry county junior premier football championship title following a thriller at Austin Stack Park.

Two years after collecting the junior crown, the men from Farranfore, without talisman Jack Sherwood, and with Diarmuid O’Mahony receiving a black card to add to his earlier yellow in the 67th minute, were indebted to two magnificent Niall Donohue points to save their skins in the opening hour.

However, taking sustenance from their late, late reprieve, and with collective fitness levels showing no signs of diminishing, Firies were the dominant outfit in the added 20 minutes, despite the outstanding display of Ardfert attacker Nathan O’Driscoll, who finished the game’s top scorer.

Ardfert got off to the brighter start, with Odhran Ferris launching over a fine point in the fifth minute. Firies defender O’Mahony replied with an even better effort, but a brace from O’Driscoll (one free) had the North Kerry side in the early ascendancy.

Settling into their surroundings, the Farranfore outfit drew level, with sweet left-footed minors from Darragh Brosnan and Stephen Palmer, but Ardfert struck in the 25th minute for the half’s crucial score – Jordan Brick assisting wing-back Earnán Ferris for a superb finish to the Firies net.

Taking a three-point lead into the resumption (1-3 to 0-3), and despite losing goalscorer Ferris to an ankle injury, Ardfert consolidated their position in the opening ten minutes of the second half. The younger Ferris sibling, and ace marksman O’Driscoll continued to impress.

Five points down (1-6 to 0-4) heading into the last 20 minutes, Firies finally began to show their true colours. In a dramatic fightback, five unanswered scores – James Horgan (3), Palmer and captain Mike Daly – brought the sides to parity by the 55th minute.

In a riveting finale, Ardfert, on two occasions regained the initiative, O’Driscoll blazing over and substitute Colin Walsh pointing an excellent mark, but Firies wouldn’t lie down, and the inspirational Niall Donohue boomed over a pair of sensational points to bring the contest to extra-time.

Notching the first four points of extra-time – Dara Donohue, Cian Doe, skipper Daly and the electric Palmer all on the mark – Firies, despite the numerical disadvantage, and the superb shooting of O’Driscoll at the other end, navigated their way to the winning post for a famous triumph.

Scorers for Firies: J Horgan 0-4 (0-3fs), S Palmer 0-3, M Daly, N Donohue, C Doe 0-2 each, D O’Mahony, Darragh Brosnan, D Donohue 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ardfert: N O’Driscoll 0-8 (0-3fs), E Ferris 1-0, O Ferris 0-2, C Walsh 0-1(mk).

FIRIES: B McCarthy; C Palmer, Diarmuid Brosnan, B O’Leary; T Clifford, N Donohue, D O’Mahony; P Daly, P de Brún; Darragh Brosnan, J Horgan, D Donohue; M Daly, J Flynn, S Palmer.

Subs: C Doe for Darragh Brosnan (42), L Brosnan for Flynn (55), S Cooper for De Brún (59), J Power for N Donohue, inj (70), TJ Palmer for D Donohue (74), J Flynn for M Daly (77).

ARDFERT: N O’Sullivan; G O’Riordan, D Kearney, T Wallace; I Courtney, S Brosnan, E Ferris; M Leane, D Griffin; J Brick, O Ferris, B Barrett; J Egan, N O’Driscoll, F Egan.

Subs: E Leen for E Ferris, inj (30), C Walsh for F Egan (38), L Óg O’Connor for Brick (55), R Walsh for J Egan (61), S Foran for Leane (71), D Courtney for I Courtney (71), F Egan for Barrett (71).

Referee: E Moriarty (Dingle).