RESULT : PIARSAIGH NA DROMODA 0.10 FIRIES 0.09

The hunger to progress by both these Division 3 teams in this competition was very evident from the off and supporters had to wait right until the final whistle before it was clear which team would emerge and fill the first of semi-final positions . Firies came into this game with a very decisive win over Tousist but the home advantage played an important part in the one point win for the team from South Kerry.

While Piarsaigh na Dromoda are never a team that rely solely on intercounty player Declan O’ Sullivan to perform on the night his leadership qualities were very much to the fore in this game. He was the first to point from play within one minute ably assisted by midfielder Ciaran Maul O’ Sullivan and Thomas Curran. O’ Sullivan added a second from a free by the third minute. Equally, Firies mid-field high profile duo of Jack Sherwood and Donal Daly proved formidable and were breaking ball and distributing well to their forwards including Eamonn O’ Mahony who scored their first point from play in the ninth minute. Points followed from the very lively Colm O’ Sé and O’ Mahony to put the visitors the lead. They were to hold onto this advantage for the most part of the game. The Pearses Niall Ó Sé regularly positioned himself well and blasted the ball at point blank range into the body of goalie Paul Dineen. Equally, the Firies forwards kept the pressure on with points from their free-takers and another point from Niall McCarthy. Micheál Sheehan narrowed the gap with a point leaving a half time score of 0.06 to 0.04 in favour of Firies.

The second half saw Colm O Sé extend the lead and score the first of two points from frees. The Firies midfield continued to dominate in the first quarter but the Dromid defence stood firm with Padraig O’ Sullivan, Aidan O’ Sullivan, Colm O’ Connor and the Sheehan brothers to the fore. There was a number of runs from Firies half back Stephen O’ Flynn who put in a gutsy performance throughout the game. Man of the match, Declan O’ Sullivan continued to forage deeply for ball and led continual attacks in the final quarter. He was brought down in the square resulting in a penalty which would have put the hosts in the lead but it was not to be. However, Piarsaigh na Dromoda continued to add points with the finest of scores coming from the boot of Niall O’ Sé. This proved to be the winning point in the last five minutes of the game as the Pearses battened down the hatches for the remainder of the game. The final score was Piarsaigh na Dromoda 0.10 to Firies 0.09

Piarsiagh na Dromoda : Brian O'Laoire, Padraig Jackie O’ Suilleabhain, Colm O'Conchubhair, Donal ML O’ Suilleabhain, Micheal O'Siochain (0-01), Padraig O'Siochain, Caoimhin O’Se, Ciarain Moul O'Suilleabhain, Aodhan ‘Shine’ O’ Suilleabhain, Dominic O’ Sullivan, Deaglan O'Suilleabhain (0-06, 4F), Aodhan O'Conchubhair, Cristoir Farley, Tomas O'Currain (Captaen) (0-01), Niall O'Sé.

Subs used: Donncha Shine O'Suilleabhain agud Cian O'hAiliosa

JUNIOR COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP 2010 ROUND 1

VENUE : PAIRC AN PHIARSAIGH DATE: SUNDAY 25^TH April 2010

RESULT : PIARSAIGH NA DROMODA 0.11 BALLYDUFF 0.10

Reasonable weather conditions prevailed for what was to be a touch physical game at Pairc an Phiarsiagh last Sunday afternoon. Within the third minute County player Declan O’ Sullivan had put his mark on the game with a quickly taken free to the fast moving corner forward Chris Farley who tapped their first point over the bar. However, it was very evident from the off that the visitors eyes were focused on progressing to the next round and their captain Barry O’ Grady lead the way with the first of three well taken points in the sixth minute. O’ Sullivan continued to track back and cover well for the Pearses and made some characteristic runs through the opposition’s defence scoring a point from play followed by a number of scores from frees. Ballyduff’s full forward Michael Boyle was making his presence felt and scored his first point from play at the end of the first quarter. Points quickly followed from the boots of Dominic, brother Declan and Chris Farley stretching the host’s lead. The end of the second quarter saw Jeremiah Houlihan and Thomas O’ Rourke narrow the gap for Ballyduff to give a half time score of 0.07 to 0.06 to the homeside.

It was all to play for in the second half and it continued along the same vain with point for point being scored . The Ballyduff midfield commanded their fair share of the kick outs and midfielder Sean Costello kept the pressure on at all times. Equally Dromid’s Colm O’ Connor continued to position himself well throughout the game and picked up a lot of loose ball all over the pitch. Both sides had many missed opportunites to clock up points with wides aplenty in the first quarter. However, Ballyduff’s Padraig O’ Grady and Michael Boyle kept the lead to a minimum with a score each. Also, Paud Costello and Bobby O’ Sullivan made some brave attempts to advance from their defence positions to put a score on the board but the Sheehan brothers work rate, a high fielding Padraig O’ Sullivan and Aidan O’ Sullivan’s bravery made for a solid defence. It was very looking very much like extra time would be played except for the united Piarsaigh na Dromoda, led by Kevin O’ Se who gave the man of the match performance from start to finish and put down a marker for any visiting teams to South Kerry.

The final score was Piarsaigh na Dromoda 0.11 to Ballyduff 0.10. The game was refereed by Valentia’s Tommy Gilligan.

Piarsiagh na Dromoda : Brian O'Laoire, Padraig Jackie O’ Suilleabhain, Aodhan ‘Shine’ O’ Suilleabhain, Donal ML O’ Suilleabhain, Micheal O'Siochain, Padraig O'Siochain, Caoimhin O’Se, Ciarain Moul O'Suilleabhain, Colm O'Conchubhair 0-01, Dominic O’ Sullivan 0-02, Deaglan O'Suilleabhain 0-06, Aodhan O'Conchubhair, Cristoir Farley 0-02, Tomas O'Currain (Captaen), Gearoid Jackie O'Suilleabhain.

Subs used: D. J. O’ Sullivan, D. O’ Shea, J. O’ Shea, C. Hallisey.

Ballyduff : J. Mahony, P. Moran, P. Costello, J.P. Leahy, B. O’ Sullivan, L. Boyle, P. O’ Grady, A. Hurley, S. Costello, E. Joy, G. O’ Brien, B. O’ Grady (C) , J. Houlihan, M. Boyle, T. O’ Rourke

Last Updated on Monday, 24 May 2010 20:05