MIG Senior Football League Division 1 – Round 11
Dingle 2-15
Kenmare Shamrocks 2-14
Our senior footballers made the trip to Dingle on Sunday for the final round of the County League, having already secured the Division 1 title two weeks earlier. While the league honours were safely in Kenmare’s hands, Dingle entered the contest knowing they needed the points to guarantee their Division 1 status.
Kenmare made the brighter start and were rewarded with a goal after just three minutes. Pearse O’Brien played a clever pass through to Tom Murnane, whose deft fist pass into the square was met perfectly by David Hallissey, who expertly fisted the ball past the goalkeeper. Tom then added a point of his own a minute later, before Kevin O’Sullivan and Kieran Fitzgibbon, from a well-struck 45, extended the lead. Tom Murnane added his second point on 16 minutes to leave the scoreboard reading Dingle 0-3, Kenmare Shamrocks 1-4.
The home side responded with a goal when Cathal Bambury reacted quickest to a breaking ball and finished to the net. Kenmare settled again almost immediately as Stephen O’Brien kicked an excellent point from play. The captain wasn’t finished there. After Tom Murnane intercepted a defensive pass, he slipped Stephen through on goal, and O’Brien calmly finished to the net. From the resulting kick-out, Kevin O’Sullivan found Stephen once more, and after creating space with some clever footwork, he split the posts to leave Kenmare leading 2-6 to 1-3 with only minutes remaining in the half. Dingle added a late point before the interval, but it had been an excellent opening 30 minutes from the visitors.
Half-Time: Dingle 1-4, Kenmare Shamrocks 2-6
Dingle emerged with renewed intensity in the second half and raised the tempo as they looked to erase the five-point deficit. Kenmare struck first through goalkeeper Kieran Fitzgibbon, who launched over a superb two-point effort. Unfortunately, that proved to be Kenmare’s only score during an 11-minute spell as Dingle enjoyed a purple patch.
The home side hit 2-6 without reply during that period, including a fortunate goal when a long-range free dropped off the crossbar and Tadhg de Brún reacted quickest to force the rebound to the net. By the 43rd minute, Dingle had turned the game around and led 2-10 to 2-8.
Kenmare responded well. Darragh O’Connor was introduced for Fionán O’Sullivan before Donal O’Sullivan steadied matters with a point. Kieran Fitzgibbon then stepped up to convert another outstanding two-point free, nudging Kenmare back in front. Although Dingle replied with a point, Jimmy Lehane added a fine score before Dan McCarthy replaced the hardworking Shane O’Sullivan with ten minutes remaining. Tommy Cronin and Donal O’Sullivan both added points as Kenmare opened up a three-point advantage with just five minutes to play. Jack O Sullivan and Conor Adams were brought on with 5 minutes to go.
However, Dingle refused to give in. A point was followed by a superb long-range two-pointer to level the game before they edged in front just after the 60-minute mark. Despite five minutes of added time, Kenmare couldn’t find the equaliser as the home side held on for a narrow one-point victory.
While defeat was disappointing after such a strong first-half display, it takes nothing away from what has been a superb league campaign. Having already secured the Division 1 title, attention now turns to the Club Championship in the weeks ahead.
Scorers:
- Kieran Fitzgibbon 0-5 (2 two-point frees, 45, free)
- Stephen O’Brien 1-2
- David Hallissey 1-0
- Tom Murnane 0-2
- Donal O’Sullivan 0-2
- Kevin O’Sullivan 0-1
- Jimmy Lehane 0-1
- Tommy Cronin 0-1
Team:
Kieran Fitzgibbon (0-5), Cian O’Sullivan, Tommy O’Sullivan, Tommy Cronin (0-1), Shane O’Sullivan, James McCarthy, Jimmy Lehane (0-1), Kevin O’Sullivan (0-1), David Hallissey (1-0), Pearse O’Brien, Stephen O’Brien (1-2), Tom Murnane (0-2), Fionán O’Sullivan, Donal O’Sullivan (0-2).
Subs Used: Barry Fitzsimons, Conor Adams, Darragh O’Connor, Jack O’Sullivan, Zack O’Shea, Jack Tangney, Eoghan McCarthy, Griffin Wharton, Dan McCarthy.
