Local boys Dylan O’Neill, Ronan O’Shea and Alex O’Connor had a fantastic week in Limerick at the Kennedy Cup. Kerry beat the Dublin District Schoolboy League (DDSL) 1-0 in yesterday’s final at the University of Limerick.

The first real chance of the game fell to DDSL attacker Callum Thompson, but Kerry goalkeeper Alex O’Connor, who had to stay alert throughout the game, did well to save his shot. Dylan Murphy’s goal just before the break ensured that a new name is on the trophy at the expense of the defending champions. Murphy fired home off the underside of the bar from a Dylan O’Neill corner on the stroke of half-time, moments after James Clarke saw his long-range drive come back off the Kerry bar. Instead of simply holding onto that lead, Kerry pushed forward in the second half in search of a second goal. They were the one’s applying most of the pressure during that period.

The DDSL moved defender Ray O’Sullivan up front in the final five minutes and he managed to get his head to a far-post cross, but O’Connor plucked the ball out of the air. The Kerry defence, which only conceded one goal in the tournament, had heroes in captain David Dineen, Paddy O’Rourke and keeper Alex O’Connor. The cup goes to the Kingdom for the first time ever, and to Munster for the first time since Limerick District won it in 2000.

Kerry Radio update after the final

Video with Brendan Hogan (Facebook)

KERRY (squad):

A O’Connor (Killorglin), R O’Shea (Killorglin), D O’Neill (Killorglin), M Kelliher (Killarney Celtic), D Rogers (Traless Dynamos), J Rusk (St Brendan’s Pk), D Dineen (Killarney Celtic), D Murphy (Mastergeeha), P O’Sullivan (Killarney Celtic), P D’Arcy (Killarney Celtic), R Kelliher (Killarney Celtic), S Vasiu (St Brendan’s Pk), D Lyne (Killarney Celtic), P O’Shea (Mastergeeha), P O’Rourke (St Brendans Pk), C Kane (Camp Juniors), M Lenihan (Killarney Celtic), J Sheehan (St Brendan’s Pk), C Ryan (Killarney Celtic), D McKenna (Listowel Celtic).

It was jubilation for our Under 12 squad who won the Premier league on Saturday 16th May 2015 with a game to spare, after a 1-0 home win against Killarney Celtic (Dylan Moriarty with the goal). A huge congratulations to all the players involved, and credit to their coaches for all the hard work throughout the season – Robbie Evans, Maurice O’Shea & Paul Whittleton.

• Killorglin AFC 0 – 4 St Brendans Park

It was heartbreak for Killorglin in the Kerry Cup final in Mounthawk Park on Friday night, as the premier league leaders proved just too strong on the day. Early pressure from Park was absorbed well with Darragh McKeefry marshalling Jason O’Sullivan, Dylan Francis and Kaiya O’Flaherty in defence. Cillian Burke was outstanding in Midfield, while Jack O’Leary and Aaron Broderick  put in an amazing effort to keep Killorglin pushing forward, and playing good football whenever possible. But about 15 minutes in, Park scored the opening goal, and followed up with a second about 5 minutes later. Killorglin heads didn’t go down, and despite having to be disciplined in tracking back, Stephen O’Loughlin and Ethan Coffey on the wings did exceptionally well in attack. With Gearoid Hassett up front, Killorglin always looked like they could get one back. Just before half time, Gearoid latched on to a through ball from Jack O’Leary and was unlucky not to slip one past the Park keeper. 2-0 at the break, but it was clear that everyone was committed to getting back into the game.

The second half started well for Killorglin, with Ethan and Stephen keeping Killorglin pushing forward, and Aaron in particular showing amazing energy. Martin in goal was dealing with any Park pressure, but the stand out player for Killorglin was Gearoid. On a difficult night, with little support up front, he always looked a threat, showed fantastic touch and skill, and was unlucky on several occasions not to get on the scoresheet. When Stephen was replaced by Dylan Moriarty mid-way through the second half, Gearoid dropped deeper and kept Killorglin competitive. But when Park scored a third with about 10 minutes to go, it was looking like cup glory was a step too far. Max Doyle replaced Dylan Francis at full back, and Callum Russell swapped with a shattered Kaiya, and both did well for the remainder of the game. With 5 minutes to go, Park got a fourth, but Killorglin finished the game with their heads held high. I was proud to manage the team tonight. Each and every player gave 100% and that is all I could have asked. Even after the game, the players picked up their medals, and watched Park lift the cup with respect and envy. This team will have better days ahead – but should look back on this final with no regrets.

Team: Martin Fay, Jason O’Sullivan, Dylan Francis, Darragh McKeefry, Kaiya O’Flaherty, Cillian Burke, Jack O’Leary, Aaron Broderick, Stephen O’Loughlin, Gearoid Hassett, Ethan Coffey. Subs: Dylan Moriarty, Max Doyle, Callum Russell, Dean Francis

Gabhan

John Joe Naughton Kerry Cup Semi-Final

• Killorglin AFC 3 – 0 Tralee Dynamos

Killorglin faced last year’s premier league champions in the Kerry cup semi final on Thursday night (30th April). And although the home team had a full squad to choose from, it was always going to be a challenging tie. And so it proved from the word go. The first ten minutes were played at a frantic pace. While Dynamos looked good on the ball, Killorglin kept their own shape and imposed themselves on the game. Jack O’Leary really looked up for the game, and the captain dominated the midfield, encouraging those around him, and breaking up play well. Cillian Burke and Aaron Broderick made up a midfield three that gave the visitors no space, and it was Aaron that gave the home side the lead mid way through the first half. An in-swinging corner whipped in from the right side was half controlled by Stephen O’Loughlin, and despite not being able to get a clean strike away, the ball fell kindly for Aaron who tucked it away brilliantly. Towards the end of the half, a long-range free kick from the visitors saw Martin Fay parry over the bar well to keep the home side in front. Fantastic organisation from Darragh McKeefry at the back kept the Dynamos attacks to a minimum. Kaiya O’Flaherty, Jason O’Sullivan and Dylan Francis were superb alongside Darragh. 1-0 at half time.

The visitors again started brightly in the second half, but straight from a Dynamos corner, Stephen O’Loughlin picked up a loose ball on the edge of his own penalty area and set Gearoid Hasset away with a good clearance upfield. With Stephen in support, Gearoid showed wonderful skill and balance to beat three defenders, and a slip the ball past the keeper to put Killorglin well and truly in control of the tie. For the first time in the game, the visitors realised they had to chase the game, and this opened up space for Ethan Coffey, Gearoid and Stephen up front. Killorglin were now looking more likely to nick a third than concede. Another good save from Martin in the Killorglin goal saw the home team mount an incisive attack, and when Gearoid Hasset was taken down in the penalty area it looked a certain penalty. Even the opposition stopped briefly waiting for the whistle, but the ref wasn’t giving it! However, Stephen O’Loughlin was alive to it, and took the ball off a Dynamos defender and beat the remaining defender and keeper with a lovely strike! At 3-0, Killorglin looked comfortable, and Cillian Burke worked tirelessly to help Killorglin keep ownership of the middle of the park. The introduction of Dylan Moriarty gave the home team even more to trouble Dynamos, and Dylan was unlucky on a number of occasions. Another good take from Martin in goal late on ensured a clean sheet and a Kerry Cup Final against Park in Mounthawk Park next Friday (May 8th) at 8.30pm.

Team: Martin Fay, Jason O’Sullivan, Dylan Francis, Darragh McKeefry, Kaiya O’Flaherty, Aaron Broderick, Cillian Burke, Jack O’Leary, Ethan Coffey, Gearoid Hassett, Stephen O’Loughlin. Subs: Dylan Moriarty (on for Stephen), Dean Cahill (on for Ethan), Max Doyle, Callum Russell.

Goals: Aaron Broderick, Gearoid Hassett, Stephen O’Loughlin

Apologies for the lack of updates recently, but with fixtures changing daily to accommodate the end of season run in, it was better to not post fixtures, than to post inaccurate ones, or even try to keep up with the changes!!

Sfai Under 14 Cup Quarter Final

• Killorglin Afc v Mervue Utd – 2pm

Venue Dragons Den All-weather

Under 12 Cup

• Dingle v Killorglin AFC B – 11am

Under 14 Cup

• Iveragh v Killorglin AFC A – 11:15am
• Park B v Killorglin AFC B – 12:30pm

Under 16 Cup

• Iveragh v Killorglin AFC – 12:30pm