An Ghaeltacht edge Castlegregory to end wait for  West Kerry title

It was another heartbreaking defeat for Castlegregory, following last year’s loss to Dingle.

ON SONG: Pádraig Ó Sé of An Ghaeltacht in full flow. File pic: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Moran’s West Kerry Senior Football Championship Final: An Ghaeltacht 2-14 Castlegregory 1-16 

An Ghaeltacht claimed their 12th West Kerry SFC title and their first since 2017 as they just got over the line by a single point against a luckless Castlegregory side in this cracking final at Pairc Ui Bharoid, Lispole on Saturday afternoon.

It was another heartbreaking final for Castlegregory, following last year’s defeat to Dingle, and they are now waiting since 1977 to add to their four West Kerry titles.

It was a final that ebbed and flowed with An Ghaeltacht looking as if they were going to cruise to victory when they led by eight; 2-11 to 1-6. 

But Castlegregory, with their inspirational leader Cian O’Grady in full flow, suddenly got a second wind. 

Tim Moriarty started the comeback when he surged upfield and fired over a monstrous two-pointer and then in the 45th minute Cian O’Grady landed a two-point free.

The gap was now halved but Dara Ó Beaglaoich and Kerry U-20 Aodhna Ó Beaglaoich soon had An Ghaeltacht six clear with 10 minutes left. O’Grady from a free and Padraig Ó Sé, with a clever flick after a Cathal Ó Beaglaoich assist, left six points between the sides.

But An Ghaeltacht were beginning to turn ball over and give away needless frees as Castlegregory appeared ravenous for victory. The underdogs finished with a flourish with Jack Greaney firing over a point after coming off the bench and Cian O’Grady then added successive two-point frees to bring his tally to 0-11, and Castlegregory to within a point. An Ghaeltacht held on however, thanks to some tenacious defending from Cian Ó Murchú, Aodhna Ó Beaglaoich and Tomas Ó Sé as well as man of the match, Cathal Ó Beaglaoich, who again served notice to Jack O’Connor that he will be looking for game time in the league.

It was just about deserved win for An Ghaeltacht who are now kings of their own patch, and will face Corofin on Sunday in the Munster IFC with renewed confidence.

An Ghaeltacht had raced 1-7 to 1-4 in front inside the opening 20 minutes with Tomás Ó Sé (DC) being fouled for a penalty and Eanna Ó Conchúir converted the spot kick, but Eoghan Ó Laighin found the An Ghaeltacht net minutes later. The key score of the half came in added time when a free dropped short and Adam Mac Amhlaoibh palmed the ball to the net to see An Ghaeltacht lead 2-8 to 1-5 at half time and Castlegregory could never quite make it back.

Scorers: An Ghaeltacht: É Ó Conchúir (1-2, 1-0 pen), A Mac Amhlaoibh (1-0), D Ó Beaglaoich (0-3), Tomás Ó Sé (DC), C Ó Beaglaoich and G Ó Cinnéide (0-2 each), A Ó Beaglaoich, P Ó Sé and C Ó Riagáin (0-1 each).

Castlegregory: C O’Grady (0-11, 3fs, 3tpfs), E Ó Laighin (1-0), T Moriarty (0-2, tpp), J Shannon, P Fitzgerald and J Greaney (0-1 each) 

AN GHAELTACHT: S Ó Luing; C Ó Murchú, R Ó Beaglaoich, A Ó Beaglaoich; B Ó Beaglaoich, P Ó Sé, PJ MacLáimh; A Mac Amhlaoibh, C Ó Beaglaoich; D Ó Beaglaoich, É Ó Conchúir, G Ó Cinnéide; C Ó Riagáin, Tomás Ó Sé (DC) , C Ó Corrduibh 0-1. Subs: D Ó Seaghda for C Ó Corrduibh (37), C Mac Gearailt for PJ MacLáimh (43), B Ó Bruic for A Mac Amhlaoibh, (60) 

CASTLEGREGORY: E Kennedy; J Shannon, J O’Neill, D O’Sullivan; T Walsh, T Moriarty, M Scanlon; C Greaney, E Ó Laighin; T O’Donnell, C O’Grady , P Fitzgerald ; M O’Connell, A Fitzgerald , B Hoare.

Subs: G Fitzgerald D O’Sullivan (37), G O’Connor for T Walsh (37), J Greaney for B Hoare (50) 

Referee: P Hayes (Kerins O’Rahillys)