County Intermediate Champions- KILCUMMIN
Kilcummin 4-13 Glenflesk 2-13
A large crowd travelled to Austin Stack Park on a glorious Sunday afternoon to support our lads against a very promising and fast Glenflesk team. Both teams had won their respective groups in the first year of this new format for the Intermediate Championship sponsored by Castleisland Co-Op Mart. Kilcummin overcame most people’s favourites Templenoe in the Semi-Final by a single point while Glenflesk impressed by beating St Mary’s Cahersiveen by six points in the other game. So the scene was set for an all East Kerry final between two neighbouring clubs who only a month earlier had between partners in a joint fund raiser “A Night at the Oskars”.
Straight from the throw in Kilcummin went on the attack which did not lead to a score but five minutes later following a break down field wing back Sean O’Leary finished low to the Glenflesk net. Glenflesk responded with a point but Kevin McCarthy and Shane McSweeney added two further points from play and when Noel Duggan kicked over a free after 10 minutes the score stood at 1-3 to 0-1 to Kilcummin. Our Lads were playing very well throughout the field with the defence coping very well with the very potent Glenflesk forwards. When on the 15th minute of the half the dangerous Kevin McCarthy goaled the scoreline read Kilcummin 2-3 Glenflesk 0-2.
One minute later Padraig Nagle drove a pile-driver high into the Glenflesk net following a great run by Philip Casey and Kilcummin lead by 10 points at this stage. Supporters feared a rout but Glenflesk were having none of it and five minutes later following two frees from Darragh Roche and a goal from the same player the deficit was reduced to five points. Sean O’Leary lifted the siege with a splendid point and Shane McSweeney added his second point in response to a number of Glenflesk points. Kevin McCarthy saw his shot thunder off the crossbar before the rebound went wide. Glenflesk kept up the momentum and it took a fantastic save from Brendan Kealy to prevent a further goal with Donal Maher clearing his lines. The half-time score now read Kilcummin 3-5 Glenflesk 1-8 and although we had played against the wind in the first half we awaited with anticipation the second-half.
The second-half started with Matthew Keane on in place of Damien O’Leary who had worked tirelessly and effectively in the opening half and three minutes later John McCarthy replaced the injured Gary O’Leary. Glenflesk kept their focus and within five minutes following a further point and another Darragh Roche goal they lead for the first time. Just when there was a danger of the game slipping away up steps Kevin McCarthy with a fine point to settle the nerves and when a Noel Duggan free was followed by a Kieran Murphy point from play we were two points up after 10 minutes of the second-half.
Glenflesk responded well to level matters again with 16 minutes left in the game. Kevin McCarthy showed his class and sense of responsibility by landing two points and helping us to regain control of the game. When Noel Duggan kicked over a further free we felt we had weathered the storm but how wrong we were as it took another marvellous save from Brendan Kealy to keep Lee O’Donoghue out. Glenflesk were then awarded a penalty which Brendan shepherded wide of his right hand post. Daniel kicked a point for Glenflesk leaving two points between the teams as Kilcummin introduced Daniel O’Leary for the injured Daniel Moynihan who had put in an impressive shift and Kelvin Teahan replaced Padraig Nagle who can be very happy with his first major final performance capped by that great goal.
Kilcummin’s lead was precarious enough but cometh the hour, cometh the man and when a Brendan Kealy kick-out was fielded with authority by Shane McSweeney and immediately offloaded to Sean O’Leary, who ran 50 meters before crashing it to the net, it was GAME OVER. Jamie O’Donoghue replaced William Maher in those final minutes having made a very telling contribution to the team throughout the campaign and again last Sunday. Kelvin Teahan punched over and Kieran Murphy landed a final point to leave us winners by six points and Intermediate champions barely six months after being relegated.
An amazing achievement for which Willie Maher, Kieran Fleming and Daniel O’Leary can take enormous pride and achievement. Brendan Kealy has been a great captain and influence on this very willing and dedicated bunch of players and his performance on Sunday underlined his considerable class. Donal Maher and Daniel Moynihan were excellent throughout and returning Chris O’Leary is a valuable asset in any defence. William Maher quietly goes about his business effectively while Philip Casey is a true stalwart, often playing through injury to negate opposing forwards and get forward himself to score valuable points.
Man-of-the-Match last Sunday Sean O’Leary has brought a wealth of talent and scoring ability to the team and his maturity belies his tender years. His 2-1 scored today speaks for itself. Kieran Murphy has been outstanding in this campaign and again today had a major influence on the outcome of this final. Kevin Gorman and Shane McSweeney have been stalwarts of Kilcummin’s midfield over the years and today they received just reward for their years of toil, commitment and talent. Padraig Nagle, Gary O’Leary and Damien O’Leary have been a huge addition to the forward line and have contributed handsomely to this campaign and ultimate victory today and they auger well for the year ahead. Matthew Keane has added talent and maturity to the forward line and will be an influential player going forward.
Noel Duggan has been outstanding throughout the campaign and always has a major influence with his willingness to work and his ability to score pressure frees. This was never more evident than in the Semi-Final when he landed some crucial frees at important stages. Kevin McCarthy certainly shows his talent on the big days and followed up his semi final display with a huge performance again today. His presence on the Kerry Senior team speaks for itself and his scoring contribution today 1-4 was invaluable. John McCarthy, Kelvin Teahan, Jamie O’Donoghue and Daniel O’Leary were all introduced on Sunday and made telling contributions.
This year we have a larger panel which will be needed for the long year ahead and many of those will be pushing for a place on the starting fifteen but regardless their attendance at training is crucial for the team overall .
Team: Brendan Kealy, Chris O’Leary, Daniel Moynihan, Donal Maher, Sean O’Leary, Philip Casey, William Maher, Kevin Gorman, Kieran Murphy, Shane McSweeney, Gary O’Leary, Padraig Nagle, Kevin McCarthy, Damien O’Leary, Noel Duggan, Subs Used: Matt Keane, John McCarthy, Kelvin Teahan, Daniel O’Leary and Jamie O’Donoghue Other Subs: Mikey O’Shea, Chris Keane, Oscar O’Connor, James Nagle, Sean Moynihan, Darragh Kelly, Tomas O’Connor, Jerdy Sheehan and Sean Brosnan.
Finally a word of thanks to our marvellous supporters who deserve this win as much as anyone.
