Kerry SFL: Austin Stacks and Kerins O'Rahillys clash to decide title
This year's Kerry County League Division 1 title will be decided when Austin Stacks and Kerins O'Rahillys clash in the second last round at Connolly Park. Both sides are locked at top of the table on fifteen points each. It looks like a winner takes all game as both will be playing teams positioned towards the foot of the table in their final match.
Stacks travelled to Beaufort who are battling relegation and emerged victorious 1-20 to 1-16. It was level after the opening quarter at 0-5 each. Fergal Hallissey was accurate from placed balls for the home side while Ferdia O'Brien (2), Brendan O'Sullivan and Sean Quilter had scored for Stacks. The Tralee side stretched 0-11 to 0-17 clear by the 25th minute thanks to two Ryan O'Driscoll points from play, and a two-point free and a close-in free from Quilter. They looked in control.
But Beaufort, thanks to a Hallissey free and a goal from Ger Hartnett, saw the sides retire 1-9 to 0-12 at the interval and it was all to play for. Stacks were two clear by the 40th minute thanks to two Joe Reidy points, 0-15 to 1-10, when disaster struck for Beaufort when Sean Coffey, now playing outfield, picked up a yellow card following a clash with Ryan O'Driscoll. He then received a black and Beaufort were reduced to 14 players.
But Beaufort refused to throw in the towel and Liam Carey fired over a two-pointer to level the contest 1-14 to 0-17 in the 59th minute. But Stacks finished the stronger with a Ferdia O'Brien goal and a point, and a point each from Ryan O'Driscoll and Joe Reidy. Stacks escaped to victory despite a late Fergal Hallissey two-pointer which brought his total to 0-9.
Kerins O'Rahilly's had things far easier against a depleted Rathmore who were not only missing their county players but also those gone to the US. The Tralee club won as they liked on 6-15 to 2-10. O'Rahillys led 4-4 to 1-5 at half-time thanks to a brace of goals each from Conor Hayes and Darragh O'Connor despite an Alan Dineen goal from play for Rathmore.
Ciaran Collins was waging a one-man battle for Rathmore but early second half two-pointers from O'Connor and Tom Hoare removed all doubt while O'Connor completed his hat-trick as the Tralee side moved 5-11 to 1-7 clear by the 46th minute. O'Rahillys cruised to a 17-point win.
Glenflesk travelled to Glenbeigh to play the locals and they beat them 1-21 to 1-10 with a power-packed second half. This result means that Glenbeigh/Glencar are relegated but they fought hard in the opening half and trailed 1-10 to 1-6 with Callum Cronin and the Roche brothers Darragh and Dylan on the scoresheet. Glenbeigh could only manage four points in the second half while Tommy Bowler kicked three two-pointers and Darragh Roche continued to find the target. Glenflesk move to 10 points in fifth spot.
In a relegation four-pointer, Laune Rangers managed to beat Ballymacelligott 2-16 to 1-14 but neither side are safe with Ballymac needing a miracle to stay up as they play Legion and Crokes, along with Beaufort, in their final games. There was nothing in the game at the interval with Rangers leading 1-7 to 0-9. A John Tyther goal from a penalty was the difference at the break with Niall Collins, Aidan Breen and a two-pointer from Donal Daly keeping Ballymac in touch.
A point each from Eoin and Darragh Clifford and a two-pointer from Tyther pushed Rangers four clear but a Jack Joy two-pointer offered Ballymac hope. But then once Daire Cleary struck for a Rangers goal, they always controlled the game.
Dr Crokes, who will probably have to settle for third place this year, won the Killarney derby by a point, beating Killarney Legion 1-11 to 0-13 with David Shaw kicking some fine second half scores. Crokes led by the minimum at half time, 1-6 to 0-8. Brian Looney, who lined out at midfield for Dr Crokes, kicked two points including the final score of the game.
Kilcummin beat Spa 1-21 to 2-11 and that means Spa are still not safe. Philip O'Leary got the all important goal for the winners.
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