Legion 1-13, Templenoe 1-17.

Templenoe gained their first two points in the County league after a four point win away to Legion, in what was a very entertaining game last Sunday.

The match was played in ideal conditions and it was Templenoe that raced into a 1-2 to 0-0 lead after 6 minutes. Stephen O’Sullivan opened the scoring, before Pat Spillane struck a low shot to the net following a great solo run towards the goal. Brian Crowley added a second point to give the visitors a dream start. Shortly after, Conor Keane showed good determination to register Legion’s first score. Templenoe maintained control though, with their quick and direct play seeing them go on to earn the next four points in a row thanks to Cian Hallissey (free), Patrick Clifford with a fisted effort, Teddy Doyle (long range free), and Pat Spillane from play. This put Templenoe in a commanding position at the end of the first quarter as they lead by 1-6 to 0-2. Both Keepers Anthony Sheehan and Conor McCarthy were called upon to make great saves from Conor Keane and Stephen O’Sullivan respectively during the course of the first half. Jamie O’Sullivan (free) and Stephen O’Sullivan traded scores, before it was Legion’s turn to hit a purple patch getting five unanswered points through the boots of their danger men Jamie O’Sullivan (0-4) and Conor Keane (0-1). Templenoe responded with Pat Spillane once again splitting the posts, before Jamie O’Sullivan slotted over another free for the Killarney men following a foul on Padraig Lucey. This ensured the game was still all to play as the first half drew to a close.

Half Time Score: Legion 0-9, Templenoe 1-8.

Templenoe also started the second half brightly with Brian Crowley and Teddy Doyle reasserting the visitors position with the first two scores following well worked moves. Jamie O’Sullivan meanwhile continued his exhibition at the frees as he popped over Legion’s opening score of the half, before John Spillane and Brian Crowley (0-2) both showed good composure to consolidate Templenoe’s lead once more. However, Legion then started to get a grip on proceeding again with Jamie O’Sullivan adding two more points (0-1f) to his tally either side of a goal from Conor Keane, who made no mistake after he found an opening in the Templenoe defence after Legion forced a turnover. This made the score 1-12 to 1-13 at the end of the third quarter and the game was now on a knife edge. Cian Hallissey (free) and Pat Spillane helped steady the ship for the away side with two crucial scores, but Legion replied with a pointed free from Jamie O’Sullivan to keep the contest in the balance. Legion were almost in for another score only for vital interception from Patrick Clifford. Soon after Templenoe got the ball into Stephen O’Sullivan who worked very hard all through to earn a free, this was duly converted by Brian Crowley to put a bit more daylight between the sides. However, Legion refused to throw in the towel and they had one last frantic move up the field, which also saw Cian Hallissey receive a black card for Templenoe. At the end of this attack, Legion were awarded a free about 20 yards from goal and up stepped Jamie O’Sullivan who hit a blistering shot only to see it rocket against the crossbar. Templenoe then regained position of the ball and lifted the siege with substitute Martin Reilly taking advantage of the Legion defence been caught out of position, to win one last free in for Brian Crowley to thump over.

Final Score: Legion 1-13, Templenoe 1-17

Scorers:

Legion: Jamie O’Sullivan 0-11 (0-9f), Conor Keane 1-2.

Templenoe: Brian Crowley 0-6 (0-2f), Pat Spillane 1-3, Teddy Doyle 0-2 (0-1f), Cian Hallissey 0-2 (0-2f), Stephen O’Sullivan 0-2, Patrick Clifford 0-1, John Spillane 0-1.

Teams:

Legion: Conor McCarthy, Cathal Sheahan, Danny Sheehan, Cian Gammelll, Darragh O’Doherty, Damien O’Sullivan, Jonathan Lyne, Shaun Keane, Kevin Breen, Chris Davies, Padraig Lucey, Jack O’Neill, Jamie O’Sullivan, Conor Keane, Peter McCarthy.

Templenoe: Anthony Sheehan, John Spillane, Kieran O’Neill, Joseph Sheehan, Kieran McCarthy, Danny Cahalane, Patrick Clifford, Sean Sheehan, Teddy Doyle, Sean Moriarty, Pat Spillane, John Rice, Stephen O’Sullivan, Cian Hallissey, Brian Crowley.

Subs: Josh Crowley Holland, Martin Reilly, Eoin Murphy