Horan’s Sharpshooting Puts Castleisland Into Final

The Castleisland District U-16 Football squad  which qualified for the final of the county championship by defeating Kenmare. Photograph: Tom O'Donoghue.
The Castleisland District U-16 Football squad which qualified for the final of the county championship by defeating Kenmare District. Photograph: Tom O’Donoghue.

U-16 County Championship Semi-Final: Castleisland District 2-16 Kenmare District 1-13.

Report: Jimmy O’Sullivan Darcy
Despite a strong wind and inclement weather, Castleisland and Kenmare served up an absolute thriller of a County U-16 semi-final.

In the end, Castleisland had a bit to spare, but it was only in the last ten minutes that they finally were able to shake a determined Kenmare off.

Kenmare District captain, Tadhg Ó Siochrú (left) with Castleisland District captain and Man-of-the-Match award winner, Eddie Horan and referee, Paul Hayes, Kerins O'Rahilly's. Photograph: Tom O'Donoghue.
Kenmare District captain, Tadhg Ó Siochrú (left) with Castleisland District captain and Man-of-the-Match award winner, Eddie Horan and referee, Paul Hayes, Kerins O’Rahilly’s. Photograph: Tom O’Donoghue.

There was very little between the sides throughout. Man of the match Eddie Horan and Sean O’Connell gave them a grip on midfield but Kenmare’s defence was outstanding and they moved the ball at speed.
Donal O’Sullivan scored two Kenmare frees and picked the otherwise excellent Luka Brosnan’s pocket for a point but Castleisland had points from Paul and John Walsh and Sean Horan to match them.

Another O’Sullivan free was countered from play by Eddie Horan and he and Luka Brosnan put Castleisland ahead by 0-6 to 0-4.

Back again came the momentum, with O’Sullivan (f), Colin Crowley, and an impressive Daniel Casey putting Kenmare ahead by 0-7 to 0-6 at the break.

A goal-bound rocket by Colin Crowley rattled the Castleisland post on the restart before Eddie Horan and Donal O’Sullivan swapped scores.

Horan was simply majestic and Castleisland should have picked off further scores before the big man set up Donal Geaney for a goal.
Donal O’Sullivan pulled a point back but two frees by Eddie Horan made it 1-9 to 0-9. Shay Walsh stretched the lead but Kenmare replied. Suddenly the game sprang back into high drama as O’Sullivan blasted to the net.

A defender kicked it away, but it was too late as the leather had crossed the goal-line and it was back to all square.
Not for long. Eddie Horan picked off four points (3f) and Paul Walsh another, while Daniel Casey kicked a last Kenmare free. With pretty much the last move of the game, the peerless Eddie Horan slotted to the net for a clinching goal. Well done to two great teams and excellent referee Paul Hayes.
Castleisland: Dylan Browne, Padraig O’Connor, Luka Brosnan (0-1), Josh O’Keeffe, Ryan Maguire, David Shanahan, Sean Brosnan, Eddie Horan (1-10, 5f), Sean O’Connell, Paul Walsh (0-2, 1f), Sean Horan (0-1), John Walsh (0-1), Eamonn Nolan, Ethan Reidy, Stephen Murphy. Subs Shay Walsh (0-1, 1f), Donal Geaney (1-0), Adam Manley, Conor Mitchell, Denis Mahony, Adam O’Donoghue, Danny Hickey, Daire Keane, Barry Lyons, Padraig O’Connor, Tadhg Brick, James O’Donnell, Adam Fallon, Conor Sheehan, Sean Breathnach.
Kenmare: James McCarthy, Daniel Fitzpatrick, Jamie Harrington, Boki Nikic, Jack Foley, Conor Lucey, Liam Twomey, Cormac O’Sullivan, Griffin Lynch Wharton, Colin Crowley (0-1), Daniel Casey (0-2, 1f), Tadhg Ó Siochrú (0-1), Dan McCarthy, Donal O’Sullivan 1-8, 5f), Dylan O’Connor (0-1). Subs David Ciuciu, Ben Crowley, Cian O’Sullivan, Kane Reidy, Seamus Browne, Dion Murphy, Dara O’Connor, Jack Maye, Jason O’Shea, Tom Murnane, Gary Randles, Eoin Downey, Cian Hanley, Tommy Cronin, Martin O’Sullivan. Referee: Paul Hayes (Kerins O’Rahillys)
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