Templenoe 2-14, Firies 0-14
This was a very good and open match played in ideal conditions for football in Beaufort GAA Grounds. Both teams held periods of control over the sixty minutes, and the final scoreline does not do justice to how hard Templenoe had to fight to emerge victorious in this County Junior semi-final.
Templenoe opened very brightly and by the 12th minute had opened up a Templenoe 0-04, Firies 0-01 lead through scores from Killian Spillane (3) and Stephen O’Sullivan. Firies came storming back into proceedings, and the next 15 minutes saw them kick five unanswered points from the boot of Colm O’Shea (2), William Courtney and Padraig De Bruin (2).
Templenoe were not playing well, but good running from Brian Crowley was rewarded with a pointed free. Soon after, the Firies centre back, James O’Donoghue was dismissed with a black card. Templenoe got the final score of the half with another pointed free from Killian Spillane.
The opening point of the 2nd half was a pointed free by Colm O’Shea. Killian Spillane responded with another free, and soon after, good work by Teddy Doyle set Sean Sheehan up for the first of his four points of the 2nd half. Firies again responded with a brace of points, leaving the score on the 40th minute, Templenoe 0-08, Firies 0-09.
A fast ball into Killian Spillane saw him isolated in a good position running at goal. Killian drew the defender and passed the ball across the square for Brian Crowley to palm to the back of the net for a very important Templenoe goal. This gave Templenoe great confidence, and they pushed on kicking the next three points from Brian Crowley and Sean Sheehan (2).
With ten minutes left in the contest, Templenoe led on a score of Templenoe 1-11, Firies 0-09. Firies were not finished yet, and two quick pointed frees from Colm O’Shea left a goal in the difference. Soon after Colm O’Shea pointed well from play, but this was cancelled out by another Sean Sheehan point.
Again Firies reduced the margin to two points with another pointed free, but Templenoe finally found some breathing space when a swift attack found Adrian Spillane who rifled the ball home to the back of the net. The last three points of the match came Templenoe’s way to put an unfair reflection on the score. Templenoe 2-14, Firies 0-14
Firies Scorers: Colm O’Shea 0-09, William Courtney 0-02, Padraig De Bruin 0-02, Dan O’Connor 0-01
Templenoe Scorers: Killian Spillane 0-06, Brian Crowley 1-01, Sean Sheehan 0-04, Adrian Spillane 1-00, Teddy Doyle 0-01, Stephen O’Sullivan 0-01, Cian Hallissey 0-01
Firies: Billy O’Rourke, Josh Flynn, John O’Mahony , Padraig O’Mahony, Pat Brown, James O’Donoghue, Stephen Foley, Dan O’Connor, Con O’Mahony, Padraig De Brún, Colm O’Shea (C), Jack Sherwood, Niall McCarthy, Mike Daly, William Courtney.
Templenoe: Anthony Sheehan, John Spillane, Tadhg Morley , Michael Hallissey, John Rice, Tadhg Morley (C), Gavin Crowley, Sean Sheehan , Adrian Spillane, Josh Holland, Brian Crowley , Danny Cahalane, Stephen O’Sullivan, Teddy Doyle, Killian Spillane.
Subs: Pat Spillane, Shane Cremin, Cian Hallissey
Audio: Radio Kerry Match Report
