Glenflesk show mettle in response to first round hiding

Glenflesk overcome Kerins O’Rahillys in the Kerry county intermediate football championship, while Listowel Emmets surprise Legion

 

KERRY IFC 

Facing real heat after their humbling by Beaufort last weekend, Glenflesk responded strongly to adversity by beating Kerins O’Rahillys (1-16 to 0-12) in their home Group 4 Round 2 fixture in the Kerry county intermediate football championship.

After finding themselves 17 points down to Peter Keane’s side eight days previously, the visit of the Strand Road outfit was a real test of Glenflesk’s mettle. To the delight of manager Wayne Quillinan, it was an examination that they passed with flying colours.

There was nothing between the sides in the first half, with Glenflesk leading by the minimum at half-time (0-8 to 0-7). The visitors were buttressed by a Barry John Keane two-point special, but four late points gave the home side the initiative.

With Tomás Kennedy lining out at midfield, Kerins O’Rahillys were over-dependent on corner-forward Darragh O’Connor in attack. He kicked 0-8 of their 0-12 total, and they also lost three defenders to injury over the course of the hour.

In contrast, with the likes of Cian Lynch and Patrick D’Arcy back in the side, and inspired by Killian O’Sullivan at centre-back, Glenflesk shut up shop for long periods, with the lively Dylan Roche shining further forward.

Kerins O’Rahillys were still only a point down (0-13 to 0-12) entering the last five minutes, but an unanswered 1-3 from Glenflesk, including a superb goal by the mercurial Luke Crowley, saw them home.

With Beaufort’s four-point win over Castleisland Desmonds on Saturday, the Mid Kerry men top the table on four points, with Glenflesk and Kerins O’Rahillys now on two. Glenflesk travel to Desmonds next week, with the Strand Road men hosting the leaders.

John Mitchels continued their superb season, with a comprehensive triumph over Ballydonoghue at Ballyseedy (4-19 to 1-13). Following on from their narrow win over Firies last week, the Tralee side advance to the quarter-finals.

The hosts were sensational in the first half, raising four green flags in the opening 30 minutes of football to leave their North Kerry opponents shell-shocked. Cian Holden, Paudie White James Duggan and Darragh Cunnane all found the net in a blistering attacking display.

Despite four points from Jack Kennelly, and a two-point Daragh Sheehy free, Ballydonoghue went in at the break 15 points adrift (4-10 to 0-7). Holden was outstanding, kicking an orange flag brace, with Kerry goalkeeping panellist Sean Broderick adding a two-point free.

Ballydonoghue battled away in the second half, with Jack Foley notching their consolation goal, but John Mitchels kept their foot on the throttle. Gearoid White added a two-pointer, with brother Paudie, Cunnane and Duggan continuing to impress.

In Group 3, Listowel Emmets resurrected their championship hopes with an excellent home victory (1-15 to 2-7) over a fancied Killarney Legion. Having been pipped by a point by Laune Rangers, Emmets reacted in the best possible way.

The sides were level at half-time (0-8 to 1-5), with Cian Gammell finding the net for the visitors, and Padraig Lucey kicking a lovely two-pointer. The hosts had two orange flags from Darragh Lynch, and a brace by Jamie McVeigh.

On the resumption, Killarney Legion were restricted to a tally of 1-2, Finbarr Murphy with their second goal, as Listowel Emmets turned the screw. Bryan Sweeney’s green flag was a crucial moment, with the North Kerry side taking a firm grip to the finish.

Sam Tarrant notched 0-4 in the second half, with David Keane adding two points for the winners, and the Listowel men now head to Cahersiveen with renewed belief. It’s a different story for St Mary’s, who were no match for group toppers Laune Rangers (2-18 to 0-7).

The Killorglin men were emphatic winners at JP O’Sullivan Park, building a strong advantage by the half-time break (1-8 to 0-4). Despite a nice two-pointer from St Mary’s Daniel Daly, Eoin Clifford (1-1) and Gearoid Hassett (0-3) were in fine form for Laune Rangers.

Daly added a second orange flag for the visitors, with Tadhg O’Connor blazing over a penalty, but Laune Rangers continued to dominate. Matt Leslie had the second goal, the superb Clifford finished with 1-4, while Oisín Birmingham also shone with three points.