South Kerry Senior Hurling League: Dr. Crokes 7-19; Austin Stacks 4-10.
We travelled to Lewis Road on this Sunday for an early morning game (throw in at 10am) in the first round of the South Kerry SH League and, in a high-scoring encounter, went down to a better Crokes side at the end. The game was played in wintry, showery, breezy conditions, just ten days into Autumn. We faced those harsh elements in the first half . Crokes were first off the mark with two quick points. Our first score came in the 5th minute. A long accurate puck-out by Danny McGuire found Andrew Morrissey and Andrew linked well with his inside forwards including Peter O’Regan who netted beautifully. Crokes took control after that and by the 20th minute had built up a lead of 3-8 to 1-2, our two points coming from a Paul Daly free after a foul on Michael O’Leary and a point from play by Peter O’Regan.
We had a good closing ten minutes scoring a further 1-5. Our second goal came from Eoghan McKivergan who had earlier move to centre forward and Eoghan also put over one of the points as well as two from play by Ronan Gilsenan and a second pointed free by Paul Daly. However during this period Crokes also added a further 2-2 to leave them well ahead at the break (5-10 to 2-7).
The Killarney boys continued to apply the pressure in the second half and also outscored us in this half by 2-9 to 2-3. Our two goals came from Brian Delee who had moved to the attack during the second half . Brian also put over one of the points as well as one each from Paul Daly and Ronan Gilsenan (both from frees).
As we write we still await the remaining fixtures schedule from the South Kerry Hurling Board.
Team: (13-a-side): Danny McGuire, No number 2, Brian Delee (2-1), Seán King, Robert Byrne, Eoghan McKivergan (1-2), Ciarán Breen, Seán Hartnett, Killian O’Riordan, Paul Daly (0-3 frees), Andrew Morrissey (Capt), Michael O’Leary, Ronan Gilsenan (0-3 – one free), Peter O’Regan (1-1), No number 15.
Subs used: Kieran McCaughley (16m), Johnny Downey (20m), Rory Forbes (33m), Kevin O’Leary 35m), Kenneth O’Sullivan (44m), Eamon Browne (49m), David Walsh (50m).