Kerry Masters in Dr. Mick Loftus Cup Final Against Tyrone on Saturday

The Kerry Masters squad which will face Tyrone in the Dr. Mick Loftus Cup final on Saturday in Roscommon at 4pm. Front row from left: Aidan O’Mahony, Rathmore; Kevin Lynch, Castleisland Desmonds; Tim O’Donoghue, Cordal; Brian O’Sullivan-Darcy, Spa; John Quilter, St. Senans; Eamon O’Connor, Cromane; Don Murphy Gneeveguilla; James Galway, Currow; James Nagle, Keel; Jerry Kennedy, Glenflesk: Denis Kennelly, Moyvane and Timmy O’Leary, Gneeveguilla. Back row from left: Ger Teehan, Austin Stacks; Colm Brosnan, Tuosist; Terry O’Sullivan, Keel; Dave Curtin, Brosna; Mike Coffey, St. Michael’s / Foilmore, Ian McCarthy, Moyvane; Darren Gaffey, Dr. Crokes; Donnncha Enright, Tarbert; Fergus McAuliffe, Gneeveguilla; Donal O’Sullivan, Glenflesk; Mark Crowley, Kenmare; Frank O’Rahilly, Ballymacelligott; William Kirby, Austin Stacks and Niall Hobbert, KerinsO’Rahillys. The squad also includes: Darren Halpin, Listowel; John Paul Leahy, Ballyduff: Shane Dennehy, Glenflesk; John Enright, Ballydonoghue; Eoghan Lawlor and John Sheehan, Gneeveguilla; John O’Connor, Kerins O’Rahillys; Tony Lyons, Laune Rangers and Johnny Brosnan, Dingle. Photograph Courtesy of Shane Dennehy

Kerry Masters team members Kevin Lynch (left) and Tim O’Donoghue (right) pictured with Chapter 23 Credit Union staff members: Philip Lynch, Patrick Burke and Philip O’Connor. Kevin is pictured with his son Finn and Tim with his son, Seán Éamonn at a presentation in the preparations for this Saturday’s Dr. Mick Loftus Cup Final against Tyrone at 4pm at St. Brigid’s GAA Club, Kiltoom, Co. Roscommon. ©Photograph: John Reidy

The Kerry Masters footballers played their Galway counterparts at the end of August at St. Patrick’s GAA Club in Limerick. This was the semi final of the Dr. Mick Loftus Cup and the Kerry men lost out at the same stage last year against a strong Dublin side.

By Tim O’Donoghue

However, this year there is a different story. And now the Kerry Masters are looking forward to facing Tyrone in the final at St. Brigid’s GAA Club grounds in Kiltoom, South Roscommon on Saturday at 4pm.

In the game against Galway, a well drilled Kerry team came straight out of traps with Keel’s Terry O’Sullivan getting on lots of ball.

Narrie Orchestrating Things

Narries manager John O’Connor orchestrated things from the 40 and a lead of 0-4 to 0-2 after 15 minutes with O’Sullivan and O’Connor getting two points each.

Galway player Brian Conneely was causing problems at times as Kerry captain Don Murphy’s

early injury left the Kingdom in trouble.

Adam O’Reilly and David Clifford then introduced William Kirby and Donal O’Sullivan and they helped to consolidate the midfield area from then on.

Subs Rolled On / Off

Kerry tagged on another three points before halftime through Moyvane’s Ian McCarthy. A free from John O’Connor and Terry O’Sullivan’s third point left the halftime score at Kerry 0-7 Galway 0-5.

In the masters format, subs can be rolled off and on and all the squad can be given playing time and with everyone over 40 it’s appreciated by their legs and lungs.
The Kerry management introduced: Kevin Lynch of Desmonds; Mark Crowley, Kenmare; John Enright, Ballydonoghue; John Sheehan, Gneevegullia; Mike Coffey of Foilmore and other squad players ducking in and out.

Kerry took control of the second half and, with the team’s superior scoring power, the win was never in doubt.

Keel Man’s Settling Point
Kerry scored five points in the second half from as many players and another Keel man James Nagle’s 35 yarder settled nerves after some wides.

Three-time Kerry minor Kevin Lynch scored one over from near the sideline, Stacks and Kerry senior star,William Kirby tagged one.

Eoghan Lawlor then put the score of the game over the bar and left Kerry with 0-11 to Galway 0-6.

Kenmare’s Mark Crowley took the final score through good play from John Paul Leahy and Donnacha Enright to leave final score Kerry 0-12 to Galway’s 0-7.

Nod to Supporters and Chapter 23
It wasn’t all about the forwards on the day as the backs conceded just seven points in a defensive display that helped to clinch the game.

Onwards to the final and playing Tyrone Masters who are going for their three-in-a-row.

A big thanks to all the supporters who travelled also to St.Patrick’s GAA Club in Limerick for hosting the semi-final.

Thanks also to Chapter 23 Credit Unions for their support in the preparations for Saturday’s final.

Good luck to the team and to local squad members: Kevin Lynch, Desmonds; Tim O’Donoghue, Cordal: Dave Curtin, Brosna; James Galwey, Currow and Frank O’Rahilly, Ballymacelligott.

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