North Kerry Championship,
Asdee 1-7 Listowel Emmets 0-14, played with perfect underfoot conditions in Jack Walsh Park, the pitch was in fantastic shape considering the recent bad weather.
Asdee came into the game down a number of important players with injuries & may have feared the worst when they lost full back Kieran Kelly through injury, as Listowel started with 2 points inside the first 5 minutes.
However, Asdee came storming into the game with Darragh Keane scoring 2 excellent frees and another from play to put the home side 0-03 to 0-02 ahead. The game was played in a great spirit, with plenty tackles, turnovers & end to end passages of play from both sides.
Darragh Keane added another beauty from long range, before Listowel replied with a fine point after some fierce pressure from the Asdee defence. Eoin Kennedy then won a great mark in the corner & kicked over a point to put Asdee 0-05 to 0-04 ahead. Listowel rallied before the break & scored the final 3 points of the half to leave the score line Asdee 0-05, Listowel Emmets 0-07.
The second half started with Listowel getting the first 3 points, now playing with the wind to their backs. Things may have looked ominous, but to their great credit Asdee fought back and replied with another Darragh Keane free, before Cyril Dineen pounced to score a real poacher’s goal on the end of a brilliant passage of play from the home team.
Listowel replied with a well worked point, before Paul O’Carroll finished another great team move with a lovely point. Asdee went in search of a goal, only to see the final pass miss its target on a few occasions. Listowel counter attacked to score the final 2 points, but were denied a couple more scores through tenacious defending from essentially the entire Asdee team.
Referee Dan Hayes, who had a very good game, brought proceedings to a close with Listowel winning by 4 points, 1-07 to 0-14. It would be unfair to single anyone out as everyone from 1 to 18 can be proud of their performance, showing massive heart & skill for the hour.
Special mention to Brian Coughlan & Michéal Walsh, who put in a big shift, having not played in the last few years. We wish the best of luck to Listowel Emmets for the rest of the championship.
Asdee: James Kelly, Conor Keane, Kieran Kelly, Con Carmody, Mike Breen, Owen Tydings, Jack Collins, John Doran, Martin Collins, Paul O’Carroll 1pt, Darragh Keane 5pts, Eoin Kennedy 1pt, Cyril Dineen 1gl, Stephen Lynch, Brendan Keane. Subs: Brian Coughlan, Michéal Walsh, Keith McNamara.
North Kerry Minor Championship 2021, Quarter Final Sunday 21st November @ 11.30, Listowel Emmets v Ballydonoghue/Asdee/Ballylongford – Venue: Knockanure