Review of the county football final

[Mickmack]

Congrats to the North Kerry men.

The thought of SAM in Ballinclogher is mouth watering.

[homerj]

wasnt at the game meself but had regular updates, brilliant news for north kerry football, especially since there was talk of dispanding both shannon and feale at the turn of the year.

well done feale rangers, lets hope galvin in made captain next year. the only way i can see it not happeing is if emmets win the NK championship and say the likes of guiney goes back on the panel.

[Walter Mitty]

every NK supporter should be proud of these players.

What a fantastic achievment. I said they d do it all year. They had the best backs in the competition. They were written off after the first game where they were missing 6 or 7 first teamers which always amazes me.

It shows what hard work and total commitment can do for a team. Feale Rangers trained like demons all summer and this has deservedly paid off. Heard the backs and especially Guiney was magnificant again!

Would love to have been there.

Heart felt congradulations to jerome, Johnny and christy,..... and all the players!

Paul Galvin will be captain of kerry next year unless fitzmaurice makes a comeback. should be a proud moment for him.

[diehard]

Well done Feale Ranger the Galvinator for captain next year fantastic

[madmac999]

homerj said:

well done feale rangers, lets hope galvin in made captain next year. the only way i can see it not happeing is if emmets win the NK championship and say the likes of guiney goes back on the panel.

Ah only problem is Listowel out of NK championship... shipped a heavy one to Tarbert!!! .... Just ask Joan

[dminor]

was at the game and hand on heart being frm nk didnt think they had a chance but opened d curtainsand saw d rain and said maybe,went back and saw d slipping and sliding and said defenitley dey had a chance,nk.is so different to any place in world when any one is wrote off then its time to stand up and b counted, fair play to feale rngs. ye are d best

[Walter Mitty]

Rain would not have made much of a difference. EIther way feale rangers backs would have curtailed sk s forwards

[dstar10]

just cant wait 2 see paul leading kerry out of d dressing room next year. he will be like a man possessed to win its going to be some experience to see him in this role. it is just deserved to him and all in feale rangers. feale rangers were v good today should have been away up at h/t. d tackling by feale rangers backs was brillant especially guiney and griffen. surely griffen is due a call up to d kerry pannel hope his injury is not too serious. feale got d tatics right in d first half with maher roaming in and out of full forward and noel kennely inside worked fairly well. in d half forwards putting galvin in centre forward and and this meant hickey on d wing and young centre back disrupted south kerry id say. they had aload of big men around d middle too and roasted s.kerry in that area

[murhur]

Fantastic win for north kerry even if it surprised everyone besides the players. Felt just like a north kerry championship match....one where more fancied teams have gone under the knife to a team with heart and never say die attitude. South Kerry didnt play up to stratch but the Rangers defence in the first half was outstanding. Favourite moment would have to be John Mulvihill forcing Bryan Sheehan to fumble the ball and end up over the sideline - Sheehan looked demoralized walking away. Didnt like the treatment of Declan O Sullivan where he got punched and pummelled throughout the match but I wonder if Declan was taunting or rising the north kerry boys in the first place.
Hair-raising speech by Fitzmaurice at the end and mentioned how last time Feale Rangers won, a finuge man Jimmy Deenihan was captain the next year and won the all Ireland. This time round its another finuge man Paul Galvin and he predicted him to be bringing sam back to Ballinclogher next year.

Some craic in the pub in Finuge tonight -- great speeches by Deenihan, Fitzmaurice and even Darragh O Se, who was born in Listowel.


Here are some photos from the match
www.moyvane.com/P_20071111_999_4 (Small).JPG[/img]

www.moyvane.com/P_20071111_999_6 (Small).JPG[/img]
Guiney seemed to injure more players celebrating after the match than during the match. Talk about passion!!!

www.moyvane.com/P_20071111_999_8 (Small).JPG[/img]

www.moyvane.com/P_20071111_999_10 (Small).JPG[/img]
Brian Scanlon getting a big hug from his mother

www.moyvane.com/P_20071111_999_13 (Small).JPG[/img]

www.moyvane.com/P_20071111_999_16 (Small).JPG[/img]

[kerry07]

Congrats to the North Kerry lads. I was at the game and their defensive work was superb.

The prospect of Paul as Captain next year is very interesting. Declan has been superb but in

my view 2008 is going to be something special. I think Paul is the man for the three in a row

campaign.

Lastly Brendan Guiney come back. There is a place in that panel for Brendan and in my opinion

in the starting 15 too. I would love to see young Meagher and Griffen gettin an extended run

with the senior panel as well.

PS Hard luck to South Kerry some team and I know ye will be back.

[animal]

Congrats to Feale Rangers. It can only be good for the game in the county that another team has won the county championship. Paul as captain will be very interesting. I have to say that whatever about his on-field behaviour (which gets exaggerated) I was very impressed with how he carried himself in numerous interviews after the final this year particularly at the post match function. Very articulate and honest. Roll on 2008.

[kerrygold]

Paul will be a great kerry captain.

[islandexile]

Rangers savour that special feeling

Feale Rangers 1-4 South Kerry 0-6, (Irish examiner)

Almost three barren decades for North Kerry football were swept away yesterday in an explosion of relief and excitement generated by Feale Rangers’ dramatic win in the AIB Kerry SFC decider in Austin Stack Park.


Given the influential role he played for most of the game, it was fitting that captain Eamonn Fitzmaurice emerged as the hero with a winning score four minutes from the end of normal time. And, with Bryan Sheehan missing a 45 for reigning champions South Kerry a minute into injury time, the Bishop Moynihan Cup was on its way to join the senior hurling trophy won a few weeks ago by Lixnaw.

While Rangers manager Johnny Mulvihill conceded a draw might have been a fair result, the divisional outfit worked that bit more to regain the title after a 27-year wait. And, for Fitzmaurice, Paul Galvin and four others in the panel, it earned them the added distinction of being the first players to win championship medals in both codes since the Bunyan brothers, Johnny and Robert, managed it back in 1977. In his victory speech, Fitzmaurice expressed the hope that Paul Galvin would be as successful in leading Kerry to All-Ireland glory as Jimmy Deenihan had been following their last triumph.

Not unexpectedly, given the heavy conditions and the pressure on both sides, the game was something of a dour contest which was to be reflected in the scarcity of scores. In South Kerry’s case that amounted to just one of their six points coming from play — from midfielder John Sugrue.

Yet, rather than this being an indictment of their lack of finishing, it had more to do with the way Feale Rangers’ tactics were successful in limiting South Kerry’s attack. And, one of the key factors in enabling Feale Rangers to realise their dream was a pronounced domination at midfield in the first half – something which Mulvihill revealed afterwards had been regarded as a priority.

The only goal of the game proved to be crucial. It came after just seven minutes, after Ronan Hussey had put over a free to give South Kerry the lead for the only time in the game and Noel Kennelly quickly equalised with another placed ball. It was no surprise that Kennelly, lining out at full-forward, had a hand in the goal, because he exerted a major influence in the Feale Rangers attack throughout the opening half. Brian Scanlon had the relatively easy job of finishing off the move also involving wing-forward Anthony Maher.

Their progress at midfield had a lot to do with the huge work-rate of Maurice Corridan (another of the ‘dual’ winners) and the tightness of the marking in defence. Fitzmaurice was very strong on the ball and gave great leadership from centre-back. Yet, in a different respect Declan O’Sullivan was the player who instigated most of South Kerry’s attacking movements, except that he frequently had to come far out the field to win possession. As a result, he was hardly ever close enough to goal to try for scores himself and overall, a lot of ball played into the inside players was unproductive.

In contrast, Feale Rangers posed a much stronger attacking threat, mainly through Kennelly, but helped by the role of his two Listowel team-mates in the corner and the strong support from Maher. Additionally, Paul Galvin fulfilled an important role as provider, operating at centre-forward but roaming a lot. Invariably he got to the ball ahead of his marker and inter-county colleague Killian Young, who was confined to a largely defensive role and denied the freedom to go forward.

It was 1-3 to 0-2 at the break.

Significantly, South Kerry looked a different side on the resumption, much more business-like, meaner in defence and prominent at midfield through Sugrue and improved play from Aidan O’Sullivan. Sheehan kicked over a free in the 33rd minute and another ten minutes later. Based on their more confident play – which had the effect of cutting off the supply to Kennelly — it was no surprise to see them draw level after Sugrue had pointed from play at the three-quarters stage.

However, it took until the 55th minute for them to equalise, through a close-in free from Hussey.

The game had reached its most competitive phase. But, with South Kerry having again been heavily dependent on Declan O’Sullivan’s powerful surges down the centre, they didn’t have time to go chasing a lead score before Fitzmaurice was well positioned in the half-forward line to take a pass and score with a perfect kick.

Scorers for Feale Rangers: B. Scanlon 1-1; N. Kennelly (free), D. Galvin and E. Fitzmaurice 0-1.

South Kerry: B. Sheehan 0-3 frees; R. Hussey 0-2 frees; J. Sugrue 0-1.

FEALE RANGERS: S. Quinn (Emmets); J. Mulvihill (Moyvane), P. Corridan (Finuge), K. Quirke (Duagh); D. Griffin (Duagh) E. Fitzmaurice (Finuge, capt..), B. Guiney (Emmets); B. Whelan (St. Senan’s), M. Corridan (Finuge); E. Galvin (Finuge), P. Galvin (do), A. Maher (Duagh), D. Galvin (Emmets) N. Kennelly (do), B. Scanlon (do).

Subs: S. McCarthy (Emmets) for D. Galvin (48th minute); L. Keane (Listowel Emmets) for Griffin (55th); B. O’Connell for Whelan (62).

SOUTH KERRY: M. Drummond (Sneem); S. O’Sullivan (Skellig Rangers), W. O’Sullivan (do); A. O’Connell (St. Michael’s/Foilmore); B. Hickey (Skellig Rangers, capt.), K. Young (Renard), Denis O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses); A. O’Sullivan (Skellig Rangers),J. Sugrue (Renard); S. Fogarty (St. Michael’s/Foilmore),Declan O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses), B. Sheehan (St. Mary’s); R. Hussey (Sneem), R. O’Connor (St. Michael’s/Foilmore), P. Curran (Waterville).

Subs: M. Fitzgerald (St. Mary’s) for Fogarty (51st minute); G. O’Driscoll (Skellig Rangers) for A. O’Sullivan (58th).

Referee: P. O’Sullivan (Firies).

*Attendance: 8,500.

[islandexile]

Well done to Feale Rangers. All good things must come to an end I suppose. No excuses, the better team on the day won. Who would have said that South Kerry's potent forward line wouldn't score from play?! South Kerry will be back and will win more county championships. The U-21's won the county championship this year and there is huge depth of talent in the division.

Looking forward to seeing Paul Galvin on the steps of the Hogan next September.

[Jo90]

I wonder was yesterday the last we'll ever see of Maurice Fitzgerald in the senior championship?

[inforthebreaks]

kerry07 said:

Lastly Brendan Guiney come back. There is a place in that panel for Brendan and in my opinion

in the starting 15 too.

where would he play on the starting 15? instead of Tomas se or Killian Young???

[macker]

What did they expect he was going to do coming out for about 10 mins. He is only human. Putting him on at half time or early in the second half to at least have a chance of making an impact would have mads a bit more sense...there were a handful of players that could have been taken off!!!!

Consider that his last 10 mins of the senior championship

[Piggy]

when you see the likes of Liam Keane not making the backs it shows how good they are.

[hardman]

true he was on kerry panel with paidi

[kerryman]

Well done Feale Rangers. I thought Guiney and Noel Kenelly had a great game in particular (as had Declan O'Sullivan).

It never felt like it was South Kerry's day. There was a lot of stuff let go by the ref, and he blew up over the small things so there was little fluidity to the game.

Sheehan was sliding all over the place and just had no confindence by the time he came up to put that ball wide at the end.

Would be delighted to see Paul as captain next year though. He fully deserves it.

[kerrygold]

mickmack said:

Congrats to the North Kerry men.

The thought of SAM in Ballinclogher is mouth watering.

your obviously happy enough so this year mickmack to the leave the captaincy issue the way it is.

how would you feel if pat o shea decided that the gooch should lead kerry in '08 and made such a request to the couny board?

[homerj]

i think there would be holy war now if galvin is not captain.....tis even the headline in todays indo. he will be one of most popular captains in many years. if he is to lift sam next year, just imagine what that will be like, he would definately surpass his hogan stand podium performace this year!!

[Aine]

homerj said:

i think there would be holy war now if galvin is not captain.....tis even the headline in todays indo. he will be one of most popular captains in many years. if he is to lift sam next year, just imagine what that will be like, he would definately surpass his hogan stand podium performace this year!!

Our president will have to wear shoulder pads!!! ;D ;D

Delighted for Feale Rangers and a big congatulations to Moyvane's own John Mulvihill for an outstanding performance.

[Hoffster]

A great win for Feale Rangers.Unfortunately I couldn't make it down from Dublin but was roaring and shouting listening to it on the wireless on the tinternet.Everyone seemed to play well.
Its amazing what a team can do if they put the rivalries behind them.

[Piggy]

John Muvihill had a great game alright, paddy curran hardley touched the ball

[JOAN]

the team as a whole played well thats what won it for them,

[noelinny]

Congratulations to Feale Rangers from a disappointed but smiling Cahersiveen man in NY. Disappointed due to losing the 4 in a row but smiling; knowing that Paul Galvin will make a great captain in 2008 for the county!

[Mickmack]

kerrygold said:

mickmack said:

Congrats to the North Kerry men.

The thought of SAM in Ballinclogher is mouth watering.

your obviously happy enough so this year mickmack to the leave the captaincy issue the way it is.

how would you feel if pat o shea decided that the gooch should lead kerry in '08 and made such a request to the couny board?

Paul Galvin deserves a shot at the captaincy as goes Gooch, Tomas o Shea and Marc o Shea and Tom and Aidan ................ as did Maurice Fitz but the system denied him.

I am all for changing the system.

[Tadhgeen]

If it ain't broken don't fix it lads

[dstar10]

this is some achievement as i heard they lost their manager a month or so ago. is this true?
regarding d captaincy id leave it d way it is there is no harm with sticking to tradition some times but also common sense should prevail in awkard times regarding d captaincy e.g ronan hussey captain of kerry in league it should av been darragh or tomas. looking forward to seeing mad max aka paul galvin being captain the man is a legend