Watch and read: Second-half fightback sees West Kerry overcome St Brendan's
The 2026 SFC kicked off in Paddy Kennedy Park, Annascaul on Saturday afternoon, when last year’s beaten quarter-finalists West Kerry and St Brendan’s faced off in the opening round which involves the District and group teams.
St Brendan’s began as if they meant business despite playing against the wind with three points in as many minutes, from Conor Hayes, Odhran Ferris and Darragh O’Connor. West Kerry replied with a Cian O’Grady two pointer.
Cathal Ferriter added a point but then St Brendan's scored a well-worked goal as an incisive Gearoid White run and pass allowed Darragh O’Connor crash the ball low to the net.
It was all St Brendan’s who were dominating midfield thanks to Tralee Warriors' Steven Bowler, while Conor Hayes and Darragh O’Connor were making darting runs.
Michael Scanlon found himself in the St Brendan's half and landed a two-pointer but St Brendans hit back with a another goal. Gearóid White send in a high centre and Joe Lenihan fielded before parting to Odhran Ferris to finish.
A two-point free and then a 45 from Sean Broderick saw St Brendan's move 2-6 to 0-6 clear and they were looking good. O’Grady, Falvey and O Cinnéide brought West Kerry back into the contest, but Tomás Kennedy and Conor Hayes ensured St Brendan's led 2-8 to 0-9 at half time.
St Brendan's lost their way in the opening ten minutes of the second half, when they shot four wides and only added two points from Lenihan and White.
West Kerry came storming with Cian O’Grady, Killian Falvey, Sean Scanlon, and Colm Moriarty really taking the game to St Brendan's and winning the midfield battle.
Points from O’Connell, a Tommy Pierce ’45, Killian Falvey (2), Cian O’Grady (3) followed and a O Cinnéide special saw the sides were level 0-18 to 2-12, with ten to go.
Cathal Ferriter and two from the inspirational Cian O’Grady pushed West Kerry three clear as St Brendan’s introduced Barry John Keane, in an attempt to rescue the game.
A Darragh O’Connor free and Sean Moloney point reduced the deficit to the minimum as West Kerry had to withstand a nervy final two minutes.
Cian Holden's effort for an equalizer dropped into the keeper but then late drama as West Kerry cleared their lines but as the hooter went the ball was over the sideline. That gave Sean Broderick a 60m sideline two point shot to win the game but he scuffed the ball and West Kerry are through to Round 3, while St Brendan’s will face the losers of Mid Kerry v North Kerry.
C O’Grady (0-6, tp, 2fs), M Scanlon (tp), C O Cinnéide and K Falvey (0-3 each), C Ferriter (0-2), T Pierce (1’45), C Moriarty, C O’Connell and J Crean (0-1 each).
D O’Connor (1-2, 1f), O Ferris (1-1), S Broderick (1tpf, 1’45) and C Hayes (0-3 each), S Moloney, E McElligott, G White Lenihan and T Kennedy (0-1 each)
T Pierce (Annascaul); M Scanlon (Castlegregory), C Moriarty (Annascaul), S O’Connor (Lios Póil); R O’Donovan (Annascaul), C O’Connell (Castlegregory), E Lyne (Castlegregory); J Ashe (Annascaul), C O’Grady (Castlegregory); C O Cinnéide (Lios Póil), T Ashe (Annascaul), K Falvey (Annascaul); C Ferriter (Annascaul), J Crean (Annascaul), M O’Connell (Castlegregory).
C O’Grady (Castlegregory) for T Ashe (45), M Manning (Lios Póil) for M O’Connell (48), P Lucid (Lios Póil) for C Moriarty (53), P Manning (Lios Póil) for S O’Connor (56)
S Broderick (John Mitchels); D Bowler (John Mitchels); J Myers (John Mitchels), J Foley (Kerins O’Rahilly’s); E O’Flaherty (Ardfert), S Moloney (John Mitchels), G Dillane (Kerins O’Rahillys); E McElligott (Ardfert), S Bowler (John Mitchels); G White (John Mitchels), J Lenihan (Churchill), O Ferris (Ardfert); C Hayes (Kerins O’Rahilly’s), T Kennedy (Kerins O’Rahillys), D O’Connor (Kerins O’Rahilly’s).
C McKenna (Churchill) for D Bowler (45), C Holden (Kerins O’Rahilly’s) for O Ferris (47), B J Keane (Kerins O’Rahilly’s) for E McElligott (52)
P O’Sullivan (Firies)
Footage courtesy of Clubber TV.
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