16th August 2006 - County U16 Football League Division 8 Final in Con Keating Park

St. Mary's 0-10 V 2-07 Skellig Rangers

The much fancied St. Mary’s received an upset in the U16 County League Division 8 final in Waterville tonight when underdogs Skellig Rangers stole victory from under their noses by 3 points. After a first half performance which saw a master class of a display from Skellig Rangers captain fantastic Bernard Casey the Rangers never looked back. Although St. Mary’s came strong towards the end their guilt edge goal chances cost them dearly with Martin O’Sullivan in particularly good form for the Portmagee side.

St. Mary’s were first to go on the attack when Daniel Dennehy struck for goal but only to be denied by Martin O’Sullivan, Shane Horgan then stepped up to save his blushes to a degree with a pointed 45. A minute later the Cahersiveen side were at it again when Daniel Daly pointed from 21 metres after a good assist from Declan Keating. For a period of 5 minutes St. Mary’s went on to bombard the Skellig Rangers goal but only to be denied on each occasion by Martin O’Sullivan. The two Bernard’s then linked up for the Rangers first score when Bernard Walsh done the hard work and Bernard Casey tapped the ball over to open his sides scoring. Casey was in the tick of the action this time as he got the all important goal when he hit a sideline ball from 25m out and it deceived goalkeeper and defenders alike and hit the back of the net after 7 minutes. Bernard Casey went on to add 3 more consecutive points to his account without reply from the Mary’s, and on each occasion leaving the Mary’s players and supporters breathless. The Cahersiveen side did however manage to finally break down the stubborn Skellig Rangers defence with 4 minutes left in the half with points from a Shane Horgan 45 and when a Conor Quirke free found Daniel Daly in space he pointed to leave the half time score Skellig Rangers 1-5 St. Mary’s 0-4.

Another Horgan pointed 45 and Daniel Daly point saw their side move within 2 points of Portmagee but just as the Mary’s were finding their shooting boots Skellig Rangers retaliated in style when a Bernard Casey quick free found Kieran Keating in space he netted past the helpless Damien Horgan to put 5 between the sides. 2 more Daniel Daly points kept the Mary’s in touch while Paul Lynch of Skellig Rangers and Shane Horgan from a close free exchanged points with 5 minutes remaining. With Bernard Casey being the man of the moment dominating everything in the middle of the field he turned from score getter to score stopper. After 46 minutes he sent over a close free while on the stroke of the final whistle he had to make his way between the sticks after the influential Martin O’Sullivan was sent to the line after a minor fracas and when Shane Horgan stepped up to the spot Casey pulled off a fine save and divert the ball over the bar and leave the final score in Waterville Sports Field, Skellig Rangers 2-7 St. Mary’s 0-10.

Best for the victors on the night were Martin O’Sullivan, Steven O’Sullivan, Ger O’Sullivan, and Man of the Match Bernard Casey while best for the runners-up were Ian Casey and Daniel Daly while Shane Horgans place kicking kept the Cahersiveen side in the game for so long.

Teams & Scorers
Skellig Rangers: Martin O’Sullivan, Bernard Walsh, Brian Murphy, Stephen O’Sullivan, Michael O’Sullivan (0-1), Bernard Casey (1-5,2f), Ger O’Sullivan, John Tyler, Paul Lynch (0-1), Kieran Keating (1-0), Michael O’Sullivan.
St. Mary’s: Damien Horgan, Keith Curran, Ian Casey, Colm O’Shea, Jason Moran, Aidan Walsh, Shane Horgan (0-5,3fortyfives,2f), Daniel Daly (0-5), Conor Quirke, Daniel Dennehy (Daragh O’Sullivan), Declan Keating (DJ Clifford).

Referee: Dan Fitzpatrick (Waterville).

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County U16 League Division 8 Winners - Skellig Rangers