Sport

South Kerry claim crown

KERRY SFC FINAL South Kerry 1-8 Dr Crokes 0-10 A FISTED-POINT from Declan O’Sullivan two minutes from time earned South Kerry…

Mon Nov 02 2009 - 00:00

KERRY SFC FINAL South Kerry 1-8 Dr Crokes 0-10A FISTED-POINT from Declan O'Sullivan two minutes from time earned South Kerry their ninth county title at a wet and windy Fitzgerald Stadium yesterday.

Dr Crokes have now lost three finals to South Kerry in the last five years. The game was decided by a fifth-minute penalty South Kerry scored by Bryan Sheehan and by the experience and leadership qualities of county stars Declan O’Sullivan and Sheehan.

Declan O’Sullivan added a point for South Kerry before Daithi Casey got Crokes opening score from a free in the 13th minute. South Kerry led 1-1 to 0-1 at the end of the opening quarter.

Crokes closed the gap with points from Kieran O’Leary and Colm Cooper (a free) but it was scrappy and dour fare. Sheehan with two frees and a John Sugrue point from play helped South Kerry lead 1-4 to 0-4 at the break.

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Dr Crokes points from Johnny Buckley and Daithi Casey closed the gap to a point before Declan OSullivan stemmed the tide.

Points from Brian Looney and Casey edged Crokes ahead for the first time after 53 minutes. Sheehan levelled with a brilliant effort from play but Looney gave Crokes a one-point lead with three minutes left. However Sheehan levelled again with another free and Declan O’Sullivan hit the winner.

Meanwhile, Tommy Walsh’s last game for Kerins O’Rahilly’s ended in glory as he helped his club to a 1-13 to 2-8 win over Laune Rangers in the Kerry under-21 final yesterday.

SOUTH KERRY:R White; S Curran, S O'Sullivan, K Young; Denis O'Sullivan, AS O'Sullivan, E O'Neill; B Sheehan (1-4, 1-3 frees), J Sugrue (0-1); B Hickey, AD O'Sullivan, G ODriscoll, R Hussey, Declan OSullivan (0-3), N OShea. Subs: I Galvin for N OShea (40 mins), P ODonoghue for G ODriscoll (52), S OSullivan for J Sugrue (62).

DR CROKES:K Cremin, J Payne, J Cahalane, D OLeary, M Moloney, E Brosnan, G Tucker, A ODonovan, J Buckley (0-1), K OLeary (0-1), A Kennelly, B Looney (0-4), C Cooper (0-1, a free), D Moloney, D Casey (0-3, frees). Subs; J Doolan for K OLeary (40), F Fitzgerald for D Moloney (57), S Myers for Kennelly (60).

Ref:G Lynch.