KERRY PETROLEUM JUNIOR PREMIER FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINAL
Skellig Rangers 0-9
Ardfert 1-18
Final 12 months’s overwhelmed finalists on this competitors, Skellig Rangers, fell on the quarter-final stage this 12 months, effectively overwhelmed by a vibrant younger Ardfert outfit that had been full worth for his or her 12-point demolition of a shell-shocked Skellig Rangers group that might have fancied themselves in Portmagee on Sunday.
Certainly, Skellig Rangers had certified for the quarter-finals with a sport to spare in Group 1, however had been closely overwhelmed by Churchill of their last group match, and whereas that consequence didn’t materially matter to the South Kerry membership, evidently their earlier constructive momentum might need been derailed final weekend.
It maybe says one thing that neither Skellig Rangers or St Senans, the opposite Group 1 qualifer, have reached the semi-finals, whereas Ardfert and Group 3 winner Ballymacelligott are each into the final 4. Think about, too, that whereas Ardfert had 12 factors to spare over Skellig, Ballymac hit St Senans for six objectives on Saturday, which might recommend the usual of Group 3 was significantly greater than Group 1.
As to Ardfert’s snug win in Portmagee, suffice it to say that the hosts had their goalkeeper Padraig O’Sullivan to thank for retaining the margin down to simply seven factors, 1-8 to 0-4, on the interval.
3 times the guests tore by way of the center of Rangers’ defence, and twice their goalkeeper pulled off spectacular blocks. Ultimately, although, it might be third time fortunate as man of the match Daithi Griffin burst by way of for a second time and goaled, albeit off a ricochet from the fingers of O’Sullivan.
Skellig had achieved their homework, however Ardfert, like many twin golf equipment, had built-in their hurlers again to the fold for these championships, and the St Brendans’s Board membership is now a extra full facet.
Ardfert introduced tempo in abundance so Rangers put a sweeper in entrance of Griffin enjoying a roaming position within the full ahead line. Nevertheless it got here at a value.
Firstly, it left the house group a person brief additional up the pitch and the guests’ excellent defence devoured up nearly each lengthy move. Skellig actually didn’t assist themselves by kicking six first half wides and despatched different raking balls over the sidelines.
Secondly the sweeper tactic merely didn’t work. Sensible probing passes by Bobby O’Regan usually discovered Griffin regardless of double protection and the Ardfert man had 1-3 on the board earlier than the break.
Equally Rangers merely couldn’t subdue latest Kerry minor Rob Monahan who sailed by way of their defensive traces to notch 4 factors on his personal scorecard, with assists for others.
The alarm bells had been ringing throughout Portmagee as early because the eleventh minute when Griffin spun previous his two markers and raced in on purpose however Skellig goalkeeper Padraig O’Sullivan learn the shot and dived left to dam. Twelve minutes later a fumble within the Rangers’ full again line allowed Nathan O’Driscoll a free run on purpose however once more O’Sullivan tipped it over the bar.
However then, simply earlier than the break, one other Bobby O’Regan inch good move despatched Griffin in on purpose and this time he transformed.
Adrift by seven factors on the brief whistle, the house facet tore out of the blocks to get two factors from marks courtesy of Diarmuid Keating and Darragh O’Sullivan. However they might not get the momentum wanted as O’Driscoll, Monahan and O’Regan replied and the rating stood at a grim 0-6 to 1-11 so far as the hosts had been involved.
The ultimate quarter was a tutorial train. Ardfert continued to attain at will and handed up a lot of purpose probabilities by way of over elaboration, however b by then they had been already positive of their semi-final place the place they’ll face Fossa and the Clifford brothers in what might be an altogether completely different check of their expertise and character.
SKELLIG RANGERS: Padraig O’Sullivan, Seamus O’Sullivan, Fionan O’Sullivan 0-1, Gerard O’Sullivan, Micheal O’Sullivan 0-1, John Murphy, Ronan O’Shea, Ciaran Keating 0-1, Stephen O’Sullivan, Brendan Murphy, Martin O’Sullivan, Diarmuid Keating 0-2 (1m), Darragh O’Sullivan 0-3 (2m), Brian Murphy, Keith Brennan 0-1f. Subs: Sean Kennedy for Brennan (40), Daniel O’Sullivan for D Keating (54), Mikeal Keating for B Murphy (54)
ARDFERT: Nicholas O’Sullivan, Fiachra Ennis, Trevor Wallace, Dara Kearney Sean Brosnan, Stephen Leen, Eric Leen, Eoghan McElligott 0-1, Robert Monahan 0-4, Nathan O’Driscoll 0-3, Bobby O’Regan 0-2 (1f), Brandon Barrett, John Egan, Jordan Brick, Daithi Griffin 1-6. Subs: Fionan Mackessy for Barrett (39), Michael Leane for Brick (39), Ronan Walsh 0-1 for Egan (45), Denis Horgan for Ennis (54), Donal O’Sullivan for Brosnan (54), Darragh Courtney 0-1 for Kearney (55).
Referee: Daniel Clifford
