COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP Asdee 1-6 Firies 0-11. Asdee were given a huge task when they were paired with Firies in the Junior Football Championship but in fairness they stood up to the task in great style and when the pre match favourites will reflect back on this game played at Walsh Park they will be happy to have got over this one. Even though Asdee brought the game back to a single point and had chances to even go ahead midway through the game but they were always that little bit short to kill the game off and some of their passing were breaking down giving possession back to their opponents.
Certainly Firies the Division 3 County League team just about deserved their win but there will have to improve if they hope to advance in the competition.The dismissal of Kieran Kelly, (15mts) and Cyril Dineen, (2O mts) , both second half on black cards didn’t help Asdees cause. The game was only 4mts old and it was Firies who got off to a flyer and had 2pts on the board through Edward Kerrisk and Colm O Shea both frees; and had the Asdee rearguard at 6s and 7s with strong running; the story could have been worse for the home side when Edward Kerrisk was one and one with the keeper but he ballooned his effort off the crossbar a minute later.
Kerrisk with another free and a Mike Daly from play left it 4pts without reply from Asdee. Eventually Asdee struck for their opening score in the 12th minute with Paul O Carroll swinging over and Mike Breen followed with another to reduce the deficit to a 2pt game after 14mts. This seemed to inspire the home side and with John Doran and Darragh Keane very much to the fore but they were finding it hard to put scores on the board. In fairness Firies were off target as well but a 45 taken by William Courtney on the 23rd minute mark was to leave the half time score; Firies 0-5 Asdee 0-2.
Within 1mt on resumption the Asdee custodian James Kelly who had a fine game had to be alert when a certain goal looked on, Padraig De Bruin and Seamus Barry swung over points and the Asdee defence ably aided by a bang on form Eoin O Carroll somehow saved the ball from entering the net by the visitors.
Eoin Kennedy and William Courtney exchanged points before the home side struck for the only goal of the game; a high delivery was dropped in the goalmouth and in like a flash was full forward Cyril Dineen th force the ball over the line in the 10th minute. Darragh Keane and Mike Daly swopped points. 3pts now between the sides as we approached final quarter.
The home team were now taking the game to their opponents and Mike Breen kicked over 2 frees to cut the deficit to a single point. Both sides kicked wides as play swung from end to end and the final score of the game fell to Conall Murphy in the 25th minute and with it went victory to the East Kerry side.
Teams and scorers; Asdee; James Kelly, Eoin O Carroll, Martin Collins, Con Carmody, Brian Coughlan, Sean Keane, Kieran Kelly, John Doran, Darragh Keane, 1pt, Mike Breen, 3pts (f), Eoin Kennedy, 1pt, (f), Michael Walsh, Paul O Carroll, 1pt, Cyril Dineen, 1gl, Denny Dalton. Subs, Eoin Tydings for Dinny Dalton, Keith McNamara for Kieran Kelly, Charles Dalton for Cyril Dineen.
MINOR COUNTY LEAGUE. Asdee/Bally 2-12 Keel/Listry 2-11 Asdee/Bally qualified for the County Division 5 Minor Final and a local showdown with great rivals Beale when the defeated the Mid Kerry side played in Listry on Friday evening last. The margin of victory was the minimum but in fairness the visitors who were never behind in the game were slightly better on the day and had seven players contributing to the final score. Asdee/Bally got off to a good start and fired over 3pts without reply.
However the Mid Kerry side struck back with goals before Thomas Doherty quickly replied when he billowed the net to leave the half time score Asdee/Bally 1-9 Keel/Listry 2-5. On the changeover it was more of the same with little separating the sides; however it must be said that the home side were probably unlucky on a few occasions not to have got in for goals but this was due to an solid defence and an excellent goalkeeper.
The visitors took their scoring opportunities with Owen O Connor putting daylight between the sides when he got in for a goal to help his side to a 5pt lead. But Keel/Listry were having none of it and brought it back to a 2pt game. Try as they did they failed to get through a well marshalled defence who held out for a hard earned victory. Team and scorers; Stephen Lynch, Paul Murphy, Sean Carmody, Conor Carmody, James O Connor, Jack Keane, 1pt, Tadhg McEllistrim, 1pt, Jack Mulvihill, 1pt, Cian Barrett, 2pts, Ciaran Dowd, Michael Holly, 1pt, Owen O Connor, 1-5, Thomas Doherty, 1-1.
MARATHON.St. Marys, Asdee GAA Club in association with Kerry Respite Care will be holding their third Half Marathon and 10km road race on this Saturday April 30th. The event will get underway at 10pm which will also incorporate a 5km fun run/walk. All the routes will start & finish at the grounds of Asdee GAA, Jack Walsh Memorial Park. Last years 10km winner Donal O Callaghan, Riocht A C will be hoping to retain his title
The event is open to all runners of any age or fitness level and from any county but we will also be expecting a number of competitive athlethes particularly for the Half-marathon and 10km races. It is AAI permited and there will be medals for all finishers in our 5km, 10km and Half-Marathon races.
Hot food, tea, coffee and biscuits will all be provided afterwards in the marquee. All participants in all three races will receive a medal and there will be €350 worth of prize money given out afterwards to the winners.
The cost of entering the individual races are as follows:
€10 for entering the 5km run for adults, €5 for U18′s doing the 5km
€20 for entering the 10km run
€30 for entering the Half-Marathon
UNDER 14 COUNTY LEAGUE DIV. 7 “B”
Asdee/Ballylongford 2-9 St. Pats Blennerville 6-6
Played at O Rahilly Park, Ballylongford, the home team despite putting up a good scoreline came up short against a fitter Blennerville team. The concession of early goals proved too costly leaving the home side with an uphill battle from the end of the first quarter. However, they did battle on and restored pride in the team. Ciaran Griffin and Patrick Mulvihill started to shore up the defence and this reflected in good ball being played into our forward line. The score at half time read 4-5 to 0-5 in favour of St.Pats with the home points coming from Pauric Fogarty, Bobby McCarron, Carlos Lopez, Byran Murphy and Liam Mulvihill.
Asdee/Ballylongford put in a much better second half performance outscoring their opponents 2-4 to 2-1. Pauric Fogarty added a goal early on following good work from defence to the other end involving Ciaran Griffin, Byran Murphy, Brendan Keane and then Liam Mulvihill’s shot being palmed in by Pauric Fogarty. Liam Mulvihill added 2 more points along with a point from Paddy O’Neill. Just as the home team were getting back into it, they were dealt a cruel blow as St Pats added a goal following a rebound off the post. The Spanish contingent were to add another 1-1 for the home team with Carlos Lopez scoring an excellent solo goal and setting up Alex Antelm for a point.
Unfortunately, the goals required did not materialise and St Pats went on to close out the game on a scoreline of 6-6 to 2-9. Asdee/Bally can be credited for not throwing in the towel after conceding those early goals, each player can be proud of their effort.
Team:
Niall O’Connor,
Josh Prendergast, Ciaran Griffin, Adam Finucane, Michael Tracy, Cathal Doran, Patrick Mulvihill,
Carlos Lopez, Liam Mulvihill, Bryan Murphy, Paddy O Neill, Oran O Neill, Bobby McCarron,
Brendan Keane, Pauric Fogarty, Gerard Mulvihill, Liam Connolly, Alex Antelm.
GOLDEN GOAL. Week 12 winner of the Golden Goal was Pat Holly, Dirra, Ballybunion which is in conjunction with upcoming Fixtures in both National Football and Hurling League and Championship. (Televised games) Tickets are on sale from club members at E2 each with E40 to be given out each week to the winning number which corresponds with the first goal scored.
FIXTURES
North Kerry League; Sunday 24th April @ 2.30pm at O Rahilly Park, Ballylongford.
Ballylongford v Asdee. County League Division 7 “B” Under 14 Wednesday April 20th at O Sullivan Park, Finuge Asdee/Bally v Finuge. 7pm.
WEBSITES. Asdee G A A website is now up and running once again so for all our activities and match reports; just log on to www.asdeegaa.com.