Rathmore end Dr Crokes' 14 game unbeaten Kerry County League run
Rathmore inflicted a two-point defeat on Dr Crokes. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Dr Crokes long unbeaten run in the top flight of the county league came to an end on Saturday evening when Rathmore stopped the Lewis Road side. Crokes had been unbeaten since they lost to Kerins O’Rahilly’s in Rd 7 back in 2023. The county champions and indeed Rathmore were not at full strength but Rathmore made it two wins on the trot with a 3-7 to 0-14 win.
Alan Dineen proved Rathmore’s match winner scoring goals in either half, and indeed it was his goal in the 49th that was quickly followed by a third goal by his brother Cian a minute later that secured victory for Rathmore. Cian then picked up a black card but it did not cost his side.
Rathmore led by two points at half-time (1-4 to 0-5), thanks to Alan Dineen’s 13th minute goal, while David Shaw (2) and Liam Kelliher were on the mark for Dr Crokes. Billy Courtney fired over a brace of two-pointers in the second half as the Crokes rallied but despite points from Alex Hennigan and Cian McMahon, Rathmore held on for the win but Crokes were missing up to eight leading players so there will be no panic buttons pushed in Lewis road just yet.
Ballymacelligott appeared to be coasting to victory over a young Austin Stacks side when they led by 10 points early in the second half but a black card and then a second yellow for Jack Joy shifted the momentum in Stacks favour that ran out 0-18 to 2-11 winners.
With Aidan Breen to the fore Ballymacelligott led by seven points at half-time, 2-7 to 0-6, thanks to a brace of goals from the spot by Jack Joy. Stacks lost Greg Horan to a black card before half-time and when Ballymac increased their lead to ten early in the second half, it looked bad for the Stacks.
However, after Ballymacelligott's disciplinary issues, the tide turned. Sean Quilter took over for Stacks, scoring nine points including a brace of two-point frees, while Conor Purcell raised a crucial white flag from play to complete the comeback.
Kerins O’Rahilly’s came good in the second half against Spa for a second win and they can thank former Kerry senior Jack Savage who kicked 0-10 included four two pointers from placed balls. The Tralee side won on a 1-19 to 3-7 score line with Tom Hoare scoring O’Rahilly’s goal in the first half. It was 1-6 to 0-5 at half time but Spa, thanks to goals from in the opening five minutes of the second half from David Spillane, one a penalty. got back in the game.
Spa led 2-6 to 1-8 and another Spa goal pushed the Killarney side further ahead. But Jack Savage scored three frees from two-point range and brothers Gearoid and Darragh O’Connor also added points as O’Rahilly’s eased to a six-point win.
Beaufort had a very unlikely scoring ace as they beat Glenflesk 2-14 to 2-11. Kerry senior panelist Sean Coffey played up front and not in goal. Coffey notched goals in the 24th and 43rd minutes as Beaufort edged out Glenflesk in a thriller. Jeff O’Donoghue scored a goal that saw Glenflesk lead 1-8 to 1-7, but Coffey with 2-1, and Fergal Hallissey (0-8) and Jack O’Connor (0-5) ensured that Beaufort would record their win back in the top flight.
Killarney Legion proved too strong for Glenbeigh/Glencar winning 1-22 to 1-10. Ryan O’Grady and David O’Sullivan contributed 1-14 between them as the Mid Kerry outfit, who were under strength, were outclassed in the second half.
Laune Rangers had to come from behind to grab a point with Kilcummin after a 0-12 apiece final scoreline. Kilcummin led 0-7 to 0-5 at half-time with Paudie Moynihan (3), Cian Foley, Cian Lynch, Sean Doolan and Kevin Gorman all on the scoresheet in that opening half for Kilcummin. But it was Darragh Clifford who rescued Rangers with two late two-point frees in an 0-7 haul.
