Front from left: James Kenny, Ballymac; Padraig Brosnan, Currow; Jack McElligott, Knocknagoshel; Pat Mahony, Scartaglen; Cathal McElligott, Knocknagoshel; Conor Wilkinson, Desmonds; Darragh Kelly, Captain, Currow; Peter Burke, Desmonds; Darren Deniel, Firies; James Baily, Ballymac; Raymond O’Neill, Currow; Ryan Dennehy, Cordal; Daire Murphy, Desmonds and Trevor O’Sullivan, Cordal.
Back from left: Patrick McCarthy, teacher/coach; Sean Keane, Knocknagoshel; Seamus Fleming, Desmonds; Justin McCarthy, Currow; Adam Kelly, Ballymac; Cathal Brosnan, Currow; John O’Connor, Currow; Darragh Buckley, Scartaglen; Paddy Brosnan, Scartaglen; David Griffin, Cordal; Brian Roche, Currow; John Curtin, Currow; Patrick Roche, Desmonds, Shane Óg McGaley, Desmonds; Cathal Culloty, Ballymac; Mark O’Connor, Ballymac; Luke O’Connell, Ballymac; Adam Healy, Currow; Sean Cronin, Desmonds and John Forrest, teacher/coach.
St. Patrick’s Secondary School claimed its second Kerry Post Primary Schools football title last week.
They defeated Coláiste Íde agus Iosef, Abbeyfeale in the U-15 Brendan O’Shea Shield final in Knocknagoshel on a scoreline of 4-8 to 0-10.
Abbeyfeale were quick off the mark and used to wind advantage to great effect in the first 10 minutes when they took a two point lead.
Brosnan’s Well Taken Goal
On the 10th minutes Padraig Brosnan broke the deadlock for St. Pats with a well taken goal and this was quickly followed by a pointed free from Darragh Kelly. St. Pat’s forwards were wasteful at times in front of goal in the first half, however, the wind was a big factor in this.
Abbeyfeale attacked in numbers through the half and kicked some good scores.
Dennehy Goal for St. Pat’s
Ryan Dennehy added a goal for St. Pat’s with five minutes to go in the half and this was followed by an excellent point from Darragh Kelly.
St. Pats were happiest going in at half time with a lead of 2-2 to 0-4 points after playing against a strong wind.
This lead was largely down to the defensive display of the team, especially James Bailey, Patrick Roche, Raymond O’Neill and Jack McElligott.
Forwards Kept at Bay
Abbeyfeale began the second half much like the first. However, St. Pat’s largely kept their forwards at bay.
Shane Óg McGaley, Luke O’Connell and John Curtin began to get a grip on the game around the middle sector in the second half and drove their team forward with intent.
This led to some excellent scores from the outstanding Darragh Kelly and a fantastic free from Adam Kelly quickly put St. Pat’s in the driving seat going into the final third.
Goals Win Games
They say goals win games and this was certainly the case. Playing in his home pitch Cathal McElligott got on the end of a well worked team move and finished calmly to the bottom corner.
He followed this quickly with a match winning save at the other end, as the ball was rolling into the net.
Luke Ring and Darren Deniel worked tiredlessly throughout the game, which was a feature of all St. Pat’s players on the day.
Wilkinson’s Clean Sheet
Conor Wilkinson had to be alert towards the end with some fine saves and did very well to keep a clean sheet. St. Pats subs Daire Murphy and Paddy Brosnan added well to the team when introduced and James Kenny put the icing on the cake with a poachers finish to put the game beyond doubt. Well done to all players that were involved in this panel, you did your school proud.
An Excellent Final
The winning captain Darragh Kelly was presented with the winners prize by Christy Killeen, who thanked the Knocknagoshal officials for having the pitch in excellent condition, the referee Gordan Kerins on a fine game and both schools for their contribution to an excellent final.
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