Lee Strand U16 County Final: Castleisland 4-4 Mid Kerry 1-2
Two years ago at U-14 Castleisland narrowly prevailed against the same opposition in one of the best county finals I have ever seen. It was a little more comfortable for the champions on this occasion, the physical disparity having grown if anything in the interim.
The tone was set early on as Sean Horan was pulled down in the square, with Paul Walsh confidently blasting home the penalty before adding a point shortly afterwards.
Shane Doona opened Mid Kerry’s account, but they were labouring at midfield against the outstanding Eddie Horan and Sean O’Connell. Eddie scored 1-10 in the semi-final and soon took off where he had left off, notching three excellent points, one a beautifully curved over ’45.
Massed Defence
At half-time Castleisland led by 1-4 to 0-1, with Mid Kerry struggling to penetrate a massed defence well marshalled by Luka Brosnan and Ryan Maguire, despite the best efforts from an always lively Daire Cleary.
Sean Brosnan cleverly set up Eddie Horan for a smashing goal on the restart. Roan Moriarty raised a green flag for Mid Kerry and a Mark O’Connor point gave them hope at 2-4 to 1-2, but Eddie Horan with another goal widened the daylight between them.
Net Bulged
Before the finish, Sean Horan was again fouled in the square and this time it was Shay Walsh who stepped up to the spot-kick, with the exact same result as the net bulged for a fourth time.
Coiste na nOg Chairman Tom Keane presented the Cup to Castleisland captain, Eddie Horan.
A well-attended game was helped by strong and sensible refereeing from Seamus Mulvihill.
Teams and Scorers
Castleisland: Dylan Browne, Padraig O’Connor, Luka Brosnan, Josh O’Keeffe, Ryan Maguire, David Shanahan, Sean Brosnan, Eddie Horan (2-3, 1’45), Sean O’Connell, Eamonn Nolan, Sean Horan, John Walsh, Paul Walsh (1-1, 1 penalty), Ethan Reidy, Stephen Murphy. Subs: Shay Walsh (1-0, 1-0 pen), Conor Mitchell, Donal Geaney, Adam Manley, 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, Tadhg O’Donoghue.
Mid Kerry: Sean Coffey, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Conor Murphy, Ciaran O’Sullivan, Ian McGillicuddy, Oisin O’Connor, Conor Sugrue, Dara Casey, Eoin O’Sullivan, Killian Kerins, Daire Cleary, Daragh O’Connor, Mark O’Connor (0-1), Roan Moriarty (1-2), Shane Doona (0-1). Subs David Mangan, Liam Curran, David Leane, Dylan O’Neill, Aaron O’Brien, Cathal Crosby, Alex O’Connor, Gary Murphy, Ronan Hegarty, Niall Sertuxta, Killian Murphy, Sean Foley, Cian Flynn, William Joy, Oisin Daly, Sean Arthurs, Liam Croke. Referee: Seamus Mulvihill, St. Senans.
©Photograph: John Reidy 31-12-2005
The Con Courtney Memorial Cup
The cup these fine young men brought home on Sunday afternoon came into being in memory of the late Con Courtney of Ballymacadam.
Con, who died in February 2006, was a bread delivery van driver for years for Nelligan’s Bakery.
In the evenings and on Sundays he and his work colleague, Timmy O’Connor strapped on their Kerry County Board ‘gate bags’ and you could meet them at the gaps or gates at football and hurling matches anywhere in the county.
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