O’Sullivan snatches Kerry Novice glory for St Michael’s/Foilmore 

St Michael’s/Foilmore had a dramatic victory over Scartaglen

 

Kerry Novice Championship Final: St Michael’s/Foilmore 1-14 Scartaglen 1-13

Substitute Matthew O’Sullivan struck a sensational late two-pointer as St Michael’s/Foilmore snatched a dramatic victory over Scartaglen in Sunday afternoon’s Kerry Petroleum Novice Championship Final at Fitzgerald Stadium.

Luke McShane appeared to have won the title for Scartaglen when he edged them ahead approaching full-time. However, O’Sullivan responded with a superb long-range effort to turn a one-point deficit into a one-point victory with virtually the final kick of an enthralling contest.

St Michael’s/Foilmore made the ideal start through Andy O’Connell, but Scartaglen quickly answered when Mike Horan registered the first two-pointer of the final.

Horan soon produced an even more spectacular contribution. Taking possession with several defenders between him and the target, he powered through four challenges before finding the net with a magnificent individual goal.

St Michael’s/Foilmore responded immediately. Darragh Scanlon’s surging run was halted illegally inside the square, allowing Kevin Griffin to convert the resulting penalty and bring the teams level.

Horan restored Scartaglen’s advantage from play, but Griffin demonstrated his range by landing a two-point free. Shay Walsh equalised before Jack Griffin and Enda Sheehan moved St Michael’s/Foilmore two clear, either side of an important save by Mikey Scanlon.

Cormac Walsh reduced the gap, but St Michael’s/Foilmore finished the half strongly. Kevin Griffin added another free before Cian Goggin converted a mark, sending their side into the interval leading by 1-8 to 1-5.

Scartaglen erased that deficit soon after the restart. Shay Walsh landed a two-point free and followed it with another placed ball to restore parity.

Kevin Griffin again provided the response, striking a two-pointer from play before adding another single after Walsh had converted his latest free. O’Sullivan then announced his arrival from the bench with a point, giving St Michael’s/Foilmore a three-point cushion.

Scartaglen remained patient and gradually worked their way back into contention. Walsh cut the deficit from a free before Cormac Walsh landed an excellent two-pointer from play to level the final at 1-12 apiece.

The momentum appeared to have swung decisively when McShane came forward to send over the score that put Scartaglen one ahead. With time almost exhausted, they looked set to claim the silverware.

St Michael’s/Foilmore had one last opportunity, however, and O’Sullivan grasped it. The substitute confidently dispatched a pressure-laden two-pointer to send his side back in front and spark jubilant celebrations.

Scartaglen had no time to recover before the final whistle sounded. Having come so close to victory through their late surge, they were denied by one moment of outstanding execution from a substitute who scored three decisive points and delivered the Novice Championship title to St Michael’s/Foilmore.

After the game, captain Mikey Scanlon was presented the trophy alongside his brother & man of the match Darragh, and they dedicated the win to their brother Seán who they lost tragically two years ago.

Scorers for St Michaels/Foilmore: Kevin Griffin 1-7 (1pen, 1tp, 1tpf, 2f); Matthew O’Sullivan 0-3 (1tp); Cian Goggin, Andy O’Connell, Jack Griffin, Enda Sheehan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Scartaglen: Mike Horan 1-3 (1tp); Shay Walsh 0-6 (1tpf, 3f); Cormac Walsh 0-3 (1tp); Luke McShane 0-1.

ST MICHAELS/FOILMORE: B Smith; D Cronin, N O'Sullivan, S Cronin; DJ Moran, D Scanlon, M Scanlon (capt); C Goggin, D Sugrue; S Goggin, A Goggin, A O'Connell; K Griffin, J Griffin, E Sheehan.

Subs: M O’Sullivan for A O’Connell (37), C Casey for S Cronin (37), I O’Sullivan for DJ Moran (37), A Murphy for A Goggin (41), K Griffin for S Goggin (45).

SCARTAGLEN: C Mitchell; C Grimmes, A Gallagher, G O'Connor; R Walsh Murphy, P O'Connor , B Daly; S Horan, C Walsh; D Buckley, M Horan, G Boyle; B Riordan, S Walsh, D Daly.

Subs: W McCarthy for D Daly (40), C Reidy for G Boyle (40), L McShane for B Riordan (47), G O’Connor for A Gallagher (47).

Referee: Daniel Clifford (Laune Rangers).