Glenflesk make perfect start as Barry Dan O’Sullivan makes welcome return for Dingle

O’Sullivan ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against Cork in the All-Ireland series last year.

Glenflesk make perfect start as Barry Dan O'Sullivan makes welcome return for Dingle.

AS Glenflesk made it two wins from two under new boss Wayne Quillinan, the welcome news came for Kerry actually came ina losing cause as Kerry midfielder Barry Dan O’Sullivan made a return from injury for Dingle in their defeat to Gneeveguilla.

O’Sullivan, who was the first choice Kerry midfielder alongside Diarmuid O’Connor, when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against Cork in the All-Ireland series last year, hasn’t kicked a ball since. O’Sullivan not only missed the rest of Kerry’s successful All-Ireland campaign but he also missed his club Dingle’s run to the Kerry and All-Ireland club titles since.

Dingle, depleted with seven starters involved with Kerry and a host of injuries were well beaten by Gneeveguilla, 4-13 to 1-8. Dingle were in the game until half time as they trailed 1-8 to 0-4. The sides were level, 0-3 apiece, after ten minutes when Páuric Finnegan struck for Gneeveguilla’s first goal, and points from Cornelius Buckley, Paul O’Leary, James Doyle, Oisin O’Leary and Ronan Collins saw them lead by seven at half time.

Things got worse for Dingle in the second half as Pa Brosnan scored a rapid hat-trick inside the first few minutes of the second half put the visitors 16 points ahead, and Cathal Bambury’s late goal was a mere consolation for Dingle as Gneeveguilla atone for their opening round loss to Kenmare Shamrocks.

Glenflesk, following their narrow win last Sunday over Austin Stacks pummeled neighbours Spa with a 2-19 to 1-10 win. Wayne Quillinan’s side has got off the blocks quicker than most and led 0-14 to 0-7 at half time in Spa. They led only by 0-6 to 0-4 after twenty three minutes but two pointers from Cillian O’Sullivan and Luke Crowley pushed Glenflesk seven clear at the interval.

Dylan Roche scored their first goal in the second half (he contributed 2-4 in total) as they ran out easy winners despite David Spillane scoring 1-1 and Evan Cronin 0-4 for the losers.

Rathmore are also two from two and rarely would they have such a comprehensive win over arch rivals Dr Crokes, whom they beat 1-19 to 0-11, though in mitigation Crokes were severely depleted.

Rathmore led 0-6 to 0-4 at the end of the first quarter but did lose Cathal Ryan early doors with a shoulder injury. Rathmore thanks to Fionn Murphy and Alan Dineen raced 0-10 to 0-6 in front approaching half time but a Cian McMahon two pointer saw Rathmore lead 0-10 to 0-8 at the interval..

Sean McAuliffe, who has been scoring goals for fun scored the game’s only goal three minutes into the second half to put Rathmore five clear and Crokes could only manage three points in the second half as Fionn Murphy scored six points, including two two-pointers for Rathmore, and their meeting with Glenflesk will be interesting.

Kenmare Shamrocks maintained their prefect record against Killarney Legion but it took a late two-point free from goalkeeper Kieran Fitzgibbon to help Kenmare Shamrocks to a hard-fought home win, o-16 to 0-15.

In fact Legion led 0-10 to 0-6 at half time but former Kerry star, Stephen O’Brien began the second half with a Kenmare two-pointer, with Kevin O’Sullivan’s point reducing the deficit to the minimum. The sides traded scores until James McCarthy pointed for the home side to make it 0-14 each. Then goalkeeper Kieran Fitzgibbon converted a two point free and despite a late Legion point, Kenmare held on for victory.

Austin Stacks, who have players with the Kerry seniors and U-20’s had to pull out all the stops to earn their first league point after coming from behind to draw 2-13 to 1-16 with Kilcummin.

Kilcummin led 1-7 to 0-7 at half time with Gary O’Leary getting their goal. Stacks looked good when they led 2-10 to 1-10 in the 50th minute thanks to goals from Cian Purcell and Fiachna Mangan but Kilcummin rallied and actually led by two in added time but a two pointer from Greg Horan rescued a point for Stacks.

Kerins O’Rahilly’s earned their first win of the campaign with a 1-13 to 0-9 win over Beaufort. The scoring turned out to be a battle of the two Daragh O’Connor’s with the Tralee Darragh scoring 0-7 with Conor Hayes got the crucial goal and ended with 1-4.