Sheehan-inspired Abbeydorney show Tralee Parnells the door

it was the margin of victory that mattered as Parnells only needed to stay within 10 points of Abbeydorney to make it to the quarter-finals. Pic: Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile

Kerry SHC Group C, Round 3: Abbeydorney 5-17 Tralee Parnells 1-13 

While there was an inevitability about the result of this Kerry SHC meeting of holders Abbeydorney and underdogs Tralee Parnells at Austin Stack Park, it was the margin of victory that mattered as Parnells only needed to stay within 10 points of Abbeydorney to make it to the quarter-finals.

But while Parnells never gave up and have definitely improved from their debut at senior level a year ago, champions Abbeydorney - when they eventually flexed their muscles in the second half - were in a different league. 

The 16-point win means that they top the group and could be through to the semis, while Causeway, go through to the quarters on scoring difference.

There were green shoots for Tralee Parnells and coach Martin Downes with the displays of Diarmuid Quirke, Ruairi O’Sullivan, Tadgh Brick, Cillian Litchfield, Morgan Madden, Eddie Sheehy and their man of the match Eoghan Costello.

The first half was a slow burner but Abbeydorney moved 0-7 to 0-0 in front thanks in no small part to four points from Mike O’Leary.

Eoghan Costello eventually opened Tralee Parnells account from a free but Mike O’Leary replied with a free after Jack Sheehan was fouled.

Eoghan Costello added two more frees for Parnells, who failed to score from play in the opening half, and late points from O’Leary and Callum O’Sullivan saw Abbeydorney lead 0-10 to 0-3 at the half time and Tralee Parnells were still in with a shout of staying in the championship.

But whatever was said to Abbeydorney at half time saw them resume a transformed side and they blew Parnells championship aspirations away.

Michael Slattery struck for a goal from the throw-in.

Then - in a two minute burst - Jack Sheehan fired to the Parnells net twice. 

Sheehan completed his hat-trick in the 47th minute and then substitute Kevin Varian added a fifth goal and it was game over. 

Eoghan Costello was Parnells' main marksman as he added five second half points and a well-taken goal while Dan Moloney converted two long range frees.

But Abbeydorney were coasting and were able to run their bench and with Jack Sheehan scoring 3-1 in the second period while Slattery added 1-3, Parnells were never in with a shout and nobody will want to face Abbeydorney now. 

Scorers for Abbeydorney: J Sheehan (3-1), M Slattery (1-4, 2fs), M O’Leary (0-7, 6fs), K Varian (1-0), C O’Sullivan and B O’Leary (0-2 each), O Maunsell (0-1).

Scorers for Tralee Parnell’s: E Costello (1-9, 6fs), D Moloney (0-2 fs), S Healy and O O’Brien (0-1 each).

Abbeydorney: C Bohane; J Maunsell; S Egan, D O’Connell; D Hogan, R Donovan, D O’Connell; D Egan, C O’Sullivan; O Maunsell, M O’Leary, M Clifford; K Sheehan, M Slattery, J Sheehan.

Subs: K Varian for K Sheehan ( h/t), B O’Leary for D O’Connell ( h/t), J Hannon for N O’Mahony ( 42), L Fitzmaurice for D Egan ( 50), J Costello for M O’Leary ( 54).

Tralee Parnells: D Quirke; S Healy, D Keane, N Cassidy; R O’Sullivan, T Reen, C Litchfield; C Dunne, D Moloney; M Madden, E Sheehy, A Morrissey; E Costello, O O’Brien, T Brick.

Subs: G Doherty for A Morrissey (41), G Lynch for S Healy (41), J Lowe for O ‘Brien (54). 

Referee: S Stokes (Cork)