COUNTY JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. Asdee 1-13 Beale 2-12
Prior to the game getting underway there was a minutes silence observed for the late Joe McDonagh, former President of Cumann Luthchleas Gael.
Watched by a good sized attendance on Saturday evening last at Walsh Park the clash of the neighbouring clubs Asdee and Beale who contested the Quarter final of the County Junior Championship and after a pulsating contest it was the Seasiders who scrope through in the end by a 2 point margin. Certainly Asdee put it up to their more illustrious opponents in a game that went right down to the wire, level on no fewer than eight occasions and in fairness looked for a while that extra time would be needed to separate these two very committed outfits.
However with the sides level for the final time with 8 minutes left for play it was the visitors who added the necessary points in the final minutes to oust a gallant Asdee side. Straight from the throw-in and all the way through it was nip and tuck and played in real championship fervour with no quarter asked or given. The action got underway inside the opening minute through John Doran splitting the posts and a silly foul at the other end led to Ger O Gorman levelling up the tie in the second minute.
This was to be the trend for the remainder of the game. The home side pulled away with Mike Breen (f) and a superb Eoin Tydings point but this was quickly cancelled out with further points from Ger O Gorman and the outstanding James McMahon and after 14mts it was level pegging at 3pts all. Then came the first goal of the game when Tom Joy received a long delivery from Jeremy King and he left the Asdee defence in his wake finishing in style to the net a minute later.
A magnificent run upfield by Kieran Kelly brought a brilliant save from Beale keeper Dermot Cummins before Eoin Kennedy kicked a massive free 30 meters out on the sideline followed by a goal that saw Paul O Carrolls effort come off the upright and and into the grateful arms of Mike Breen who crashed to the net as the home side went ahead in the 22nd minute; 1-4 to 1-3. Both sides kicked wides as Ger O Gorman and James McMahon kicked points to put Beale ahead at the break; 1-5 to 1-4. Inside a minute on resumption Mike Breen had the sides level.
After 8mts it was still all square with Ian Mannix and John Doran exchanging points. Then Philly Blake made a great run through the middle of the field and Jeremy King finished to the net to put a little daylight between the sides. By the 14th minute Asdee had once again taken the lead as Kieran Kelly, Mike Breen, Eoin Kennedy and Darragh Keane lofted over points. Darragh Buckley and Darragh Keane cancelled each other out with further points and as we reached the 16th minute it was the home side who shaded the issue by a single point; 1-11 to 2-7. Con Carmody the Asdee corner back received a black card for a robust foul on Darragh Buckley and Ger O Gorman duly obliged from the free to level up the game again.
Eoin Kennedy and a super run by Johnny O Sullivan the Beale corner back added points with just under 8 minutes left for play. Now the game which looked like going either way and maybe a draw was on the cards as both sets of players battled for possession; however it was Beale that made the breakthrough and points by Jeremy King and Darragh Buckley gave their side a 2pt lead as the clock hit 27 minutes. Still Asdee showed their great battling qualities and Eoin Tydings cut the gap to the minimum a minute later.
The home side did have a further opportunity to level up again but a stubborn Seaside defence held firm and an Ian Mannix injury time point gave them the cushion they needed to go through to the semi final stages of the competition. Credit both teams who really gave the rival fans plenty to cheer about throughout a magnificent contest. The best of luck to Beale for the remainder of the competition.
Teams and scorers; Asdee, James Kelly, Eoin O Carroll, Martin Collins, Con Carmody, Brian Coughlan, Sean Keane, Kieran Kelly, 1pt, John Doran, 2pts, Darragh Keane, 2pts, Mike Breen, 1-3, (1f), Eoin Kennedy, 2pts, (1f), Micheal Walsh, Paul O Carroll, Eoin Tydings, 2pts, Denny Dalton. Subs, Cyril Dineen for Dinny Dalton, h t, Matthew O Hanlon for Con Carmody,( Black card, 17mts)
Beale, Dermot Cummins, Killian Walsh O Boyle, Colm Kissane, Johnny O Sullivan, 1pt, Shane Joy, Paul Collins, Philly Blake, Jeremy King, 1-1, Ger O Gorman, 4pts, (1f), Daniel Ellis, James McMahon, 2pts, Ian Mannix, 2pts, Darragh Buckley, 2pts, Tom Joy, 1gl. Subs, Neilus Mulvihill for Tom Joy, (h t), Jamie Culloty for Barry O Mahony (inj time), Ian Blake for Ian Mannix, (inj time). Referee Denis O Sullivan, Scartaglin.
GOLDEN GOAL. Week 17 winner of the Golden Goal was Liam Roache, Moyvane, which is in conjunction with upcoming Fixtures in National Football and Hurling 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. Tickets priced at E2 can be obtained from club members and local outlets. Maria and John Walsh of “Homestead”, Local Post Office and “Jack Jays”.Bar.
SHANNON RANGERS UNDER 14s. Shannon Rangers 7-9 East Kerry 8-16 In the Lee Strand Under 14 County District Football Championship Cup played at Ballyduff on Wednesday evening last East Kerry who went into this game as clear favourites and duly justified that favouritism with a eight point victory over a gallant Shannon Rangers which included a number of players from the local Asdee/Bally combination and who in fairness with a little more luck in the scoring department could have been much closer when match Referee, Tom O Sullivan, Clounmacon sounded the final whistle.
It was all one way traffic in the opening half with East Kerry settling into the game quickly; scoring at will and at the interval had a commanding lead of 5-7 to 0-3. It was always going to be an uphill battle for the North Kerry boys on resumption but they really got stuck in from the throw in and gave East Kerry some anxious moments before the 60 minutes were up and who outscored their opponents in this half; 7-6 to 3-9. Among the goalscorers were; Dylan Moriarty, Mike Nolan, Liam Mulvihill and Barry O Neill to close the gap to a couple of points but as already stated Shannon Rangers were always struggling to get on the scoreboard and when they did there was always a quick reply from East Kerry.
However it must be said that East Kerry were always on top and were fully deserving winners. Shannon Rangers will now take part in a County Shield competition. Check with Club Officers for news on date and fixture. Team; Shane O Sullivan, Cathal Doran, Darragh Slattery, Robert Foley, Sean O Connor, J. P. O Connor, Adam O Mahony, Kevin Goulding, Mike Nolan, Josh Prendergast, Andrew Murphy, Barry O Neill, Paddy O Neill, Liam Mulvihill, Dylan Moriarty. Subs; Brendan Keane, Luke Donovan, Ciaran Griffin, Brian Murphy, Conor Twomey, Paddy Foley, Nathan McGrath, Murtie Moriarty, Breen Creegan, Cathal Farrell, Adam Farrell.
FIXTURES Next Credit Union County football League Division 5 games; home to Ballyduff; w/e of June 5/6th away to Sneem/Derrynane, w/e of June 12th, home to Austin Stacks, “B” w/e of June 19th. Under 21 Championship; Asdee/Beale/ Ballylongford will this year be playing together in both the County and North Kerry Championship. Back Log games in McCarthys Insurance Brokers North Kerry League Division Division 2; Away to Ballylongford and home to Knocknagoshel. Dates to be confirmed.
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.