South Kerry Minor Championship 1st Round

 St. Mary's 3-09  Skellig Rangers 2-06

Cahersiveen 16th October @ 1:00

Played in ideal footballing conditions on Sunday afternoon last St. Mary's defeated Skellig Rangers in the first round of the South Kerry Minor Championship in Con Keating Park. Both teams were very evenly matched going into the game with the main battle being between Gary O'Driscoll (SR) and Brian Curran (St. M), both these players are being highly tipped for great things in the future. The home side were first out of the blocks when some great work by wing back Mark McGillycuddy lead to Paul O'Donoghue's first point or the game off his left peg, this minimum lead didn't last for long when a Skellig Rangers 50m free dropped short to Bernard Casey, he dispatched to the left legged Daniel O'Sullivan who pointed. St. Mary's early tactic of the long ball then worked as they found the Skellig Rangers weak link, their goalkeeper, as the long ball found Sean Cournane in around the box he made no mistake in dispatching the ball to the back of the net. The Rangers then found the Mary's defence napping when they added 3 points without reply, another beautiful point from Daniel O'Sullivan with his back to the goal, a Bernard Casey handy free, and then St. Mary's were given a lifeline when Gary O'Driscoll was one on one with Shane Horgan in the St. Mary's goal could only manage a point to bring the sides back to level terms. Sean Cournane then found himself with another goal opportunity but as he closed down on goal Florence Donnelly denied Cournane his second goal with a fine block. O'Donoghue then pointed the resulting 45 to put his side out in front. O'Donoghue was on target again two minutes later when he picked up the scrappy ball to point from close range. Then possibly the turning point of the game came when Aidan Walsh ran at goal and a last second attempt to prevent the wing forward from gaoling resulted in Sneem referee Barry Clifford pointing to the spot, Liam Sheehan then stepped up and duly slotted the ball to the bottom corner of the Marina goal past David Tyler to leave 5 points between the sides, but the goal glut wasn't going to stop there as the Mary's added their third goal before the break after Sheehan was fouled his quick free found O'Donoghue and he scored a great goal to bring the half time score to St. Mary's 3-3 Skellig Rangers 0-4.