St Kieran's claim back-to-back Kerry MFC titles as they come from behind to defeat St Brendan's

In a strong second half from St Kieran's they claim another Kerry County MFC.

CELEBRATION: St Kieran's captain Killian Dennehy with his team after they won back-to-back Kerry County MFC tites. Picture: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD .

Kerry MFC final: St Kieran’s 1-16 (1-0-16) St Brendan’s 2-7 (2-0-7)

St Kieran’s completed back-to-back County Minor Football Championship wins when they overcame a five point half time deficit to overrun St Brendan’s in the second half thanks to the midfield dominance of Killian Dennehy and Mairtin McKivergan.

It did not look likely at half time but once the midfield diamond of Eoghan Joy, Dennehy, McKivergan and Jack Joy took over, they swarmed a stretched St Brendans defence in the third quarter and never took their foot off the throttle until the final whistle.

St Brendan’s shot two early second half wides, but then St Kierans scored 1-8 without reply. Dennehy kicked 0-5, Conor Cahill added a free, Gerard Costello and McKivergan chipped in with a beauty but the killer score was a 36th minute goal from Eoghan Joy.

Sean Hickey scored a late consolation goal for St Brendan’s but they only added 1-1 in the second half as St Kierans put them to the sword in the second half.

St Kieran’s had an almost sensational start when Michael Horan raced through the St. Brendan’s defence and crossed the ball to Jack Joy whose shot for goal was blocked by Jack Power on the line. 

However, St. Brendan’s took over and despite two wides from Gearoid White and Nick Lacey they struck for a goal in the seventh minute when White was upended inside the St. Kieran’s square, and referee Eamonn Moran pointed to the spot. Lacey sent Micheal Hickey the wrong way with a clinical finish to the bottom left of the goal. Lacey scored another point a minute later after Hickey saved from Aaron Harty and Conor Cahill opened St. Kieran’s account in the 15th minute. 

St Brendan’s added three points from Eoin O’ Flaherty, Lacey from a free and Cian McKenna from play. Dennehy had the final say for St. Kieran’s in the opening half with a point from a free with St. Brendan’s retiring, 1-06 to 0-04 in front, but kicked eight costly wides.

Scorers for St Kieran’s: K Dennehy (0-6, 4fs), C Cahill (0-4, 3fs), E Joy (1-0), M Horan and G Costello (0-2 each), M McKivergan and R Brosnan (0-1 each) 

Scorers for St Brendan’s: N Lacey (1-3, pen, 2fs), S Hickey (1-0) , D Sargent, E O’Flaherty, T Lenihan and C McKenna ( 0-1 each) 

ST KIERAN’S: M Hickey (Cordal); P Reidy ( Ballymacelligott), S Kelliher (Cordal), R Walsh Murphy (Scartaglin); E Moriarty (Ballymacelligott), E Joy (Ballymacelligott), C Walsh (Scartaglin); K Dennehy (Cordal), M McKivergan (Ballymacelligott); J Bell (Knocknagoshel), J Joy (Ballymacelligott), R Brosnan (Currow); D Healy (Currow), C Cahill (Knocknagoshel), M Horan (Scartaglin).

Subs: G Costello (Cordal) for Bell (23), R O’Connor for P Reidy (52), C O’Connell (Ballymacelligott) for Cahill (58), N Fitzgerald (Castleisland Desmonds) for C Walsh (62), G Healy (Ballymacelligott) for D Healy (64) 

ST BRENDAN’S: R Kennedy (Kerins O’Rahillys); M Enright (St Pat’s), M O’Sullivan (Churchill), J Power (Ardfert); C McGibney (Churchill), D Sargent (John Mitchels), M Corridon (Ardfert); T Quilter (Churchill), E O’Flaherty (Ardfert); B Pierce (Kerins O’Rahillys), G White (John Mitchels), T Lenihan (Churchill); A Harty (Churchill), C McKenna ( Churchill) , N Lacey (Kerins O’Rahillys).

Subs: F Brosnan (John Mitchels) for B Pierce ( 42), C Lucey ( Na Gaeil) for C McKenna ( 43), S Hickey ( Churchill) for A Harty( 49) , Brody Leen (Ardfert) for J Power ( 51), D Kingston for T Quilter ( 55).

Referee: E Moran (Ballydonoghue)