Listowel overcome Knocknagoshel to top North Kerry roll of honour
The say underdogs get one chance and so it proved as Listowel Emmets captured an 18th North Kerry SFC title on a heavy sod at O’Rahilly Park, Ballylongford.
Emmets were always in control though Knocknagoshel struck for two goals midway through the second half to reduce the deficit to just two points, 1-11 to 2-6. Within a minute Joe Joe Grimes picked out Pa Walsh with a 40-yard foot pass and Walsh found the Knocknagoshel net with a sublime finish.
Emmets then finished out the game by outscoring Knocknagoshel 1-7 to 0-1 during that final 13 minutes.
So Emmets join Moyvane at the top of the North Kerry roll of honour and Knocknagoshel’s wait for a first championship goes on, but they have been the standout team of the championship despite this loss.
Knocknagoshel had the wind and rain to their backs in the opening half but it was Listowel who made a whirlwind start with a Darragh Lynch point and an Aaron Kennelly goal.
Emmets were winning the early battle at midfield but Knocknagoshel settled with Michael Walsh, up from wingback, kicking their opener and Conor Cahill halving the deficit from a free after a foul on himself. John Walsh collected a 45 from John Bell and reduced the deficit to a single point at the end of the opening quarter.
Listowel Emmets then dominated until half time. Two Eddie Healy points, one from Darragh Lynch, another from Aaron Kennelly and a superb two-pointer from Sam Tarrant pushed them clear but Knocknagoshel responded with a John Walsh two pointer and John Bell free - 1-8 to 0-6 at half-time.
Listowel Emmets continued to win breaking ball at midfield - they won 14 breaking balls to six for Knock during the game. Emmets' shot conversion was also superior as they kicked (17/26) or 58% while Knock had 8/16 (50%). Man of the Match Darragh Lynch opened the second half with a two pointer and Sam Tarrant made it 1-11 to 0-6.
But Knock are fighters and quick goals from Shane O’Connell and John Bell reduced to just two points.
But any hopes of fightback like the previous week were dashed by Pa Walsh’s super goal a minute later.
Knocknagoshel died with their boots on but Emmets' game management was better this week.
D Lynch (0-9, 1tp, 1f), A Kennelly (1-1), E Healy (0-4, 1tp), S Tarrant (0-3, 1tpf), P Walsh (1-0), B Mc Sweeney (0-1)
J Bell (1-1, 1f), S O’Connell (1-0), J Walsh (0-3,1tp), M Walsh (0-2), C Cahill (0-1f)
S Quinn; M Kennedy, P Walsh, G McCarthy; E Healy, E Browne, N Collins; J J Grimes, D Leahy,; S Tarrant, C Sweeney, J McVeigh; D Lynch, A Kennelly, A O’Rourke
J McElligott for A O’Rourke, 36, B Sweeney for C Sweeney, 36, C Pierse for G McCarthy, 42, C Mulvihill for J McVeigh, 48, S Keane for S Tarrant, 51
M Casey; E McSweeney, J Bell, J Walsh; Michael Walsh, J McElligott, C Sheehan; S O’Connell, B O’Rahilly; J Brosnan, C McElligott, J Bell; C Cahill, C Mangan, John Walsh
S Brown for B O’Rahilly, half-time, D Collins for E McSweeney, 50, N Barrett for J Brosnan, 56, D Curtain for C Cahill, 56, S O’Connell for J Walsh, 57
E Moran (Ballydonoghue
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