Kerry IFC: An Ghaeltacht withstand late Killarney Legion rally to reach final

An Ghaeltacht were leading by seven points when the introduction of James O'Donoghue inspired a Killarney Legion fightback.

An Gaheltacht will play Fossa in the Kerry IFC final. Pic: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Kerry IFC semi-final: An Ghaeltacht 2-16 Killarney Legion 2-14 

An Ghaeltacht appeared to be coasting to victory in the second IFC semi-final played at Paddy Burke Memorial Park in Milltown when they led by seven points entering the final quarter of a gripping contest. However, they almost allowed Legion, with James O’Donoghue now on the pitch, snatch a draw and extra-time.

An Ghaeltacht led thanks to two booming Cathal Ó Beaglaoich two-pointers in the opening half and another two-point free from Ruaidhrí Ó Beaglaoich. There was also a gift of a goal that Ruaidhrí Ó Beaglaoich dispatched to the Legion net in the 12th minute after Brian Kelly misdirected a kick-out straight to Éanna Ó Conchúir.

Legion, despite doing well around the middle with Cian Gammell prominent along with Darragh Lyne, were reliant on four David O’Sullivan frees. Lyne scored their first point from play in the 24th minute while Ryan O’Grady got only their second as they trailed 1-9 to 0-6 at half-time but they would have the wind to their backs in the second.

Early wides cost the Killarney side, and when Kerry wingback Brian Ó Beaglaoich carved open their defence, he set up Éanna Ó Conchúir to shoot low past Kelly. When Ó Beaglaoich showed his class with a superb point in the next attack, suddenly An Ghaeltacht were 2-10 to 0-6 in front and cruising.

But enter James O’Donoghue and suddenly momentum swung to Legion with an O’Grady two-pointer, an O’Donoghue point and another from O’Grady.

Points from Cathal and Ruaidhri Ó Beaglaoich and PJ Mac Láimh pushed their side 2-13 to 0-10 in front in the 49th minute. But then came the Legion fightback thanks to goals from James O’Donoghue and Josh Bowler and when Gammell landed a monstrous two-pointer, it was a two-point game with five minutes plus added time left.

But An Ghaeltacht's resilience saved the day, when PJ Mac Láimh kicked two points to push the lead to four. Eoghan O’Sullivan’s two came too late as An Ghaeltacht hung on for a win they should have secured long before Eamon Moran’s whistle.

Scorers for An Ghaeltacht: R Ó Beaglaoich (1-5, 2pf, 2fs), C Ó Beaglaoich (0-5, 2xtp), PJ Mac Láimh (0-3), É Ó Conchúir (1-0), B Ó Beaglaoich (0-2), C Ó Riagáin (0-1).

Scorers for Killarney Legion: R O’Grady ( 0-4, 2pf, 2fs), D O’Sullivan (0-4fs), J O’Donoghue (1-1), J Bowler (1-0) E O’Sullivan and C Gammell (0-2, tp each), D Lyne (0-1).

AN GHAELTACHT: D Ó Séaghdha; S Ó Cuinn, P Paul Sauerland, A Ó Beaglaoich; B Ó Beaglaoich, P Ó Sé, F Sauerland; A Breathnach, C Ó Beaglaoich; PJ Mac Láimh, É Ó Conchúir, JJ Mac Liam; C Ó Corrduibh , R Ó Beaglaoich, C Ó Riagáin 

Subs: G Ó Cinnéide for A Walsh (inj 35), B Ó Bruic for J J Mac Liam (50), T Ó Sé BB for C Ó Riagáin (55), T Ó Sé DC for C Ó Corrduibh (58), C Mac Gearailt for R Ó Beaglaoich (64).

KILLARNEY LEGION: B Kelly; D Fleming, D Doherty, C Gammell; E O’Sullivan, Danny Sheahan, J O’Neill; Denis Sheahan, Cain Gammell; D Lyne, P McCarthy, J Alade; F Murphy, D O’Sullivan, R O’Grady.

Subs: J O’Donoghue for Denis Sheahan (35), O Fleming for D O’Sullivan (42), Josh Bowler for F Murphy (42), B O’Shea for J Alade (50), S Keane for J O’Neill (58)