SENIOR HURLING: St. Pats (East Kerry) 3-7 (16); Austin Stacks 1-13 (16).
Two weeks ago when we visited Fossa we came away with an eighteen points victory in the South Kerry League. And perhaps this easy win might have been at the back of our minds on this glorious Wednesday evening (18th June) when we visited the same venue to play the same opposition, this time in round 2 of the Co. League. This was a different Pats team however. We had a very good start and lead by 0-4 to 0-1 at the end of the first quarter with Paul Daly on target from two frees and a 65 and a beauty from play by Aaron Barry.
Then in the 16th minute St. Pats were back on level terms when they got through for a snap goal. The next 10 minutes brought just one wide each and one point each, both points from frees, ours from Paul after a foul on Jim McCarthy. We then put over two in the closing minutes of the half, one from a Paul Daly free and, before that, a super score from wing back, Michael O’Leary after receiving an inch-perfect pass from Jim McCarthy. This left us two up at half time (0-7 to 1-2). Just two minutes after the resumption Pats had turned this game on its head with a pointed free, followed by their second goal of the game and a point from play to put them three points clear at that stage. But we were still playing well, and with three good points, all from play, had the game back on level terms, (0-10 to 2-4) by the 42nd minute, with Jim McCarthy, Paul Daly and John McCarthy all on target.
A point by each side in the space of a minute followed; our effort from a well worked move, coming from Bella’s puck-out which found Andrew, who found John Mac and he put Joe Brennan through for one of the scores of the game. Then in the 47th minute another pointed free put the home side back in the lead again.
But this was short-lived as, in the space of a minute, we were back on top again when another excellent ball from Michael O’Leary put Joe Brennan through for our only goal of the game. Joe added to this five minutes later with another good point and when Paul Daly added another from a free in the 55th minute this left us four clear for the first time in the game.
This was still the margin when the clock ticked over the sixty minutes and Pats were awarded a free. Their low shot broke in the square and after a schmozzle the ball was scrambled to the net to cut our lead to one. Then deep in added time Pats were awarded a 65, which they converted and the final whistle sounded immediately for a share of the spoils.
So now we have played two and drawn two of this four game League and our next outing (in round 3) is scheduled for next Wednesday (25th June) at 7.30pm against Duagh in Connolly Park with the first round of the U21 Football Championship also fixed for the same venue, on the same day and at the same time. In the meantime we travel to Lewis Rd. on this Saturday evening (21st June)to play Dr. Crokes in a Challenge game with a 7.30pm throw-in.
Team: Peter Doyle, Kevin O’Leary, Damien McCarthy, Seán King, Michael O’Leary (0-1), Peter O’Regan, Andrew Morrissey, Shane Fitzgerald, Jim McCarthy (0-1), Paudie Bradley, Joe Brennan (1-2), Aaron Barry (0-1), Paul Daly (Capt) (0-7 – 5 frees, one 65), Ronan Gilsenan, John McCarthy (0-1).
No subs used.