COUNTY LEAGUE DIVISION 5
Asdee 2-7 Churchill 1-14
In a pulsating encounter played at Walsh Park, Asdee the visitors Churchill kept their hopes of promotion back on track with a hard earned win over Asdee who in fact might rue the many scoring opportunities spurned especially in the first half that may have given them a win against all the odds. However Churchill who also squandered many scoring opportunities but were able to get those vital scores when the fat was in the fire.
Asdee got off to a great start and by the 20th minute points from John Doran, 3 and Michael Tydings had them deservidely ahead; however Churchill hung in their and wing back J J Prior who had a fantastic game came up from his half back position to split the uprights a minute later. Further points coming from Ivan Parker and Michael O Brien,(2) left the half time score 4 points all. I suppose the tussle of this half between Churchills Ivan Parker, County Junior Star and Martin Collins was a joy to watch with the Asdee full back more than holding his own.
On resumption it was Churchill who got the better start and after 7 minutes went 1-6 to 0-5 ahead, points coming from Sean Dillon and Ivan Parker and a well taken goal from the very impressive Michael O Brien set up by Sean Dillon. Michael Tydings was Asdees only reply with a point. Churchill were now in the driving seat and it took a marvellous save by James Kelly in the Asdees goal to deprive Thomas Linnane of what looked a certain goal.
Still Asdee battled on and were rewarded at the end of the 3rdquarter when Keith McNamara sent a screamer to the roof of the Churchill net. Sean Keane and Michael O Brien exchanged points before Eoin Kennedy rounded the keeper to find the net and level up the game at 2-7 for Asdee Churchill 1-10. Again James Kelly came to his sides rescue with a top drawer save a minute later. Asdee did have a chance of going ahead with under 7 minutes left for play but an easy tap over free was off target.
This seemed to spur on Churchill and they added the match winning points from Eoghan O Brien, two 45s, Ivan Parker and centre back Cathal Rodgers. This in fairness was a fine team performance from Asdee who were once again struggling to field a team with players out through injury and gone abroad for the summer and in fairness their replacements are not found wanting. Keith McNamara, Conor Keane and Jack Keane are new comers to the team and at a young age have been impressing in all their games, Con Carmody, Sean Keane and Kieran Kelly are also fitting in to the scheme of things.
Then we have the tried and trusted, John Doran, James Kelly, Dinny Dalton, Eoin Tydings, Darragh Keane, Martin Collins, Michael Tydings, Eoin O Carroll, Mike Breen, Eoin Kennedy, Brian and Conor Coughlan, Cyril Dineen,Matthew O Hanlon and Michael Walsh. Paul O Carroll is on the long term injured list and probably wont be playing for the duration of 2017 competitions. Both John Kennedy and Dan Dalton deserve special credit for the work they are doing with the team.
Teams and scorers; Asdee, James Kelly, Con Carmody, Martin Collins, Conor Keane, Keith McNamara, 1gl, Eoin O Carroll, Sean Keane, 1pt, John Doran, 3pts, Kieran Kelly, Mike Breen, Eoin Kennedy, 1gl, Michael Walsh, Dinny Dalton, Michael Tydings, 2pts, Jack Keane. Subs, Conor Coughlan for Michael Walsh, Matthew O Hanlon,1pt for Dinny Dalton. Referee, John Ross, Ballyduff.
MINOR LEAGUE. Bally/Asdee 4-2 Tarbert/Moyvane 4-20. Played at Jack Walsh Park Asdee on Thursday evening last our Minor footballers were brought back down to earth in Round 2, Division 2 “B” of the North Kerry League after their convincing victory the previous weekend away to Ballyduff/Duagh but this time around they never got off the ground against Tarbert/Moyvane who won as they pleased. Granted the home team were short a number of their established players out through injury and Tarbert/Moyvane were pre match favourites but this cannot be offered as an excuse for such a poor performance.However despite this set back they are still in contention for the latter stages of the competition. Goal scorers were; Conor Keane, Eoin O Connor, Denis Heaphy and Liam Mulvihill.
SENIOR LEAGUE. The long wait for Asdees senior footballers Division 2 North Kerry League play-off game continues with our last round game played against Duagh on Sunday May 7th and resulted in a win for the home side and guaranteed them a place in the semi final. That result meant that Ballyduff, Knocknagoshel and Asdee finished up in a play-off for the outright winner to join Duagh in a semi final. Asdee received a bye with Knocknagoshel and Ballyduff to meet. However the C C C of the North Kerry Board fixed dates on 2 occasions but all to no avail. Now in fairness this was not very fair on Ballyduff having to play Knocknagoshel as they were involved in the County Senior Hurling Championship on those particular dates. Certainly we all know dates are hard to be found but why in Gods name could a committee fix games for a Club knowing quite well that fixture could not possibly go ahead as proved afterwards. Look this competition with just 5 teams involved should be done and dusted well by now. Without doubt a review of the fixtures should be looked into sooner rather than later as this has been a problem in North Kerry long before now. Im afraid the tail is wagging the dog at the minute.
GOLDEN GOAL Week 26 winner of the Golden was; Cathal Fogarty, Craughdarrig, Asdee which is in conjunction with upcoming Fixtures in both National Football and Hurling League and Championship. (Televised games)
Tickets are available and will be on sale each week for the duration of the National League and Championship from Club members and at the usual outlets; “Jack Jays” Bar, Post Office and John Pius at E2 each with E40 to be given out each week to the winning number which corresponds with the first goal scored
CONGRATULATIONS. Well done to both Mike Rice and Sean O Keeffe who have given decades of service to the local Soccer club and soccer in general within the County were recipients at the F. A. I. A. G. M. Delegates Dinner festival of football staged in the Hotel Kilkenny, Kilkenny recently where they were awarded the John Sherlock Services to football Award. Both were very much involved in the affairs of the St. Marys, Asdee G. A. A. Club when the Club was reformed in 1986. Mike Rice was the Clubs first P. R. O. holding down that position for a number of years and moving on in later years to become Kerryman correspondent for the Kerry District League while Sean O Keeffe who is Chairman of the Kerry District League for quite a number of years was a very influential player during the mid eighties and nineties winning numerous medals with the Club.Well done to both of you.
FIXTURE. Credit Union County Football League, Division 5. Remaining County League games; away to Tuosist and Valentia. Home to Cordal. McCarthys Insurance Brokers Senior Football League, Division 2; three way play-off. Asdee received a bye while Knocknagoshel are due to play Ballyduff on Wednesday August 9th. Asdee will then play the winner;(Ballyduff or Knocknagoshel) and who will then go on to take on Duagh in the Semi Final. Moyvane are already in the final.. Quarter Final’s U21 North Kerry Championship
Sponsored by Dennehy Veterinary Clinic Duagh. St. Senans v Ballylongford/Asdee/Beale. Dates and Venue to be decided by C C C of the North Kerry Football Board.