Kerry SFC: Cian Tobin and Gary Vaughan inspire Spa to comeback win over South Kerry

Cian Tobin scored 10 points, including two crucial late two-point frees, as Spa defeated South Kerry to reach the Kerry SFC quarter-finals. 

Gary Vaughan gave a man of the match display as Spa defeated South Kerry in the Kerry SFC round 1. Pic: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD.

Kerry SFC round 1: Spa 3-18, South Kerry 3-13 

Two late two-point frees by Cian Tobin and a man-of-the-match display from centre back Gary Vaughan led Spa to victory in a thrilling Kerry SFC clash against South Kerry, played in front of a lively crowd in Glenbeigh. In a contest that ebbed and flowed from the start, Spa came from behind to claim the win after an entertaining, high-scoring encounter.

The match was wide open from the throw-in, with both sides intent on attacking football. South Kerry settled quickest, as Emmet Daly kicked two early scores before Spa found their rhythm through Evan Cronin and Gary Vaughan. 

However, it was South Kerry who made the greater impact in front of goal, with Ciarán O’Sullivan finding the net on 13 minutes to put them in command. Spa responded swiftly, with points from Tobin and David Spillane, but goals from Alex Coffey and Seán Teahan helped South Kerry into a 3-7 to 1-8 half-time lead.

Spa, though, refused to panic. Within a minute of the restart, Michael Foley crashed home a goal to spark belief among the Killarney side. Even after losing Evan Cronin to a black card, Spa continued to press forward. Tobin and Spillane led the charge, their combination of accuracy and energy closing the gap as the game entered its final quarter.

Parity in numbers was not long restored when it pendulated the other way as Oisín Moran received a black card for South Kerry. Daly and Donagh O’Sullivan kept South Kerry’s noses in front with fine scores, while a Chris Farley two-pointer on 49 minutes looked to swing momentum back in their favour. Yet Spa refused to yield. Spillane struck for a third Spa goal on 54 minutes, levelling the sides heading into the closing stages.

With the contest finely balanced, it was Tobin who stepped up under pressure. Two nerveless two-point frees in the closing minutes turned the tide firmly in Spa’s favour, and Spillane’s final point sealed a deserved win.

Gary Vaughan’s tireless running and leadership from centre-back were key to Spa’s comeback, while Tobin’s late accuracy and Spillane’s goal-scoring threat ensured their efforts were rewarded. 

For South Kerry, the loss of Alex Coffey to injury midway through the second half was a huge blow as the midfielder had carried his side at stages, but they could have few complaints as Spa finished the stronger team to book their place in the quarter-final.

Scorers for Spa: Cian Tobin 0-10 (3f, 2tpf), David Spillane 1-3, Michael Foley 1-1 (1f), Michael Horgan 1-0, Gary Vaughan 0-2, Evan Cronin 0-2.

Scorers for South Kerry: Emmet Daly 0-5 (3f), Seán Teahan 1-1, Ciarán O’Sullivan 1-0, Alex Coffey 1-0, Chris Farley 0-3 (1tpf), Donagh O’Sullivan 0-2, Ian O’Sullivan 0-2.

SPA: S O’Meara; E O’Donoghue, M Moynihan, S Cronin; L Spillane, G Vaughan, M Foley; N McCarthy, O O’Neill; D Moynihan, E Cronin, L O’Neill; D Spillane, M Horgan, C Tobin.

Subs: D Brosnan for L Spillane (HT), J McCarthy for L O’Neill (42), C Spillane for M Horgan (45) 

SOUTH KERRY: A Galvin (Valentia); D O’Sullivan (St Marys), R O’Shea (Skellig Rangers), O Moran (St Marys); M O’Leary (Reenard), C O’Donoghue (capt, St Marys), B O’Sullivan (Reenard); A Coffey (St Marys), D O’Sullivan (Dromid); F O’Sullivan (Skellig Rangers), C Farley (Dromid), C O’Sullivan (Sneem/Derrynane); S Teahan (Reenard), I O’Sullivan (St Michaels/Foilmore), E Daly (Valentia).

Subs: C O’Shea (St Marys) for F O’Sullivan (37), D O’Sullivan (Tousist) for I O’Sullivan (37), D Kennedy (Skellig Rangers) for A Coffey (41), I O’Sullivan (St Michaels/Foilmore) for S Teahan (50).