On Monday 22nd June 2015 Listry/Keel U-14s played Beaufort in the final round of the East Kerry league.Played on a beautiful evening in Allman park Listry,this was a top of the table clash.
The game started at a fast pace and Beaufort scored the first point. Our boys responded with a point from a free by Killian Murphy. Beaufort boys were moving well and scored 3 points on the trot,1 from play and 2 frees. Listry/Keel defence were now starting to get to grips with their opponents our mid field pairing of Micheál Buckley and Killian Murphy were linking up well and our forwards were pulling the Beaufort defence all over the place. We scored 1-5 at this stage with Killian Broderick kicking 2 points at full forward, Eoin O Donnell showing great awareness to latch onto a kick out and kicked a great point, Ruairi Murphy scored a good goal and our most improved player Dean Ladden kicked two wonderful points. Listry/Keel boys were moving well and the most pleasing aspect of their play was the player in the best position to score was given the ball. Beaufort were competing for every ball and were always a threat going forward. Listry/Keel defence were working well as a unit and Beaufort just couldn’t get the goal they really needed to keep in touch. Seán Langford in goal was solid, Diarmuid Kelleher at corner back returned after injury and worked well with Jerry Griffin who continues to impress at wing back. Seamus Giles was confident at full back Liam Clifford at centre back made sure we were strong up the middle. Dylan Brennan was very neat at corner back and swept up every loose ball,Darragh O Dowd had a great game at left back and attacked at every opportunity. Listry/Keel kicked another 3 goals and 3 points to Beaufort’s 4 points. Our scores coming from Ruairi Murphy 1-1,Killian Broderick 1-1,Killian Murphy converted a free after a determined run by Cian Lenihan and Dean Ladden scored a goal. The score at half time was Listry/Keel 4-9 Beaufort 0-8.
Beaufort have a good football team and they started the second half in determined fashion scoring a goal and a point. However,our boys were able to respond and every time Beaufort got a score the boys struck back with a few scores of our own. Eoin O Donnell started at right half forward,played well and was a lot more of a threat when he moved to corner forward. Gary Murphy had a great game at centre forward and has a great turn of pace,tormenting the Beaufort defence all evening. Cian Lenihan played his first game at left half forward,showing for everything and tackling exceptionally well.Cian never misses a training session and is improving in leaps and bounds. Dean Ladden at right corner forward scored 1-2 and played a super game. Killian Broderick started at full forward and scored 1-3,switched to mid-field and kicked another point. Ruairi Murphy at left corner forward is playing great football,scored 2-1,switched to the wing and scored another 2 points. Killian Murphy at midfield ran himself into the ground and also played well when switched to full forward. Killian Murphy finished with 8 points (5 frees).Micheál Buckley was brilliant at midfield,winning kick outs,linking up and carrying the ball with purpose at every opportunity. Micheál Keane came on at corner back and added stability to the defence when we were tiring.Aaron O Shea came on at wing forward and kicked a wonderful point.Aaron O Donoghue was introduced at wing back and looked comfortable there.James O Dowd came on at corner forward and James can play this role to perfection. Beaufort scored 2-9 in the second half and Listry/Keel scored 1-11. Killian Murphy (6),Ruairi Murphy (2),Gary Murphy (1-1),Aaron O Shea (1),Killian Broderick (1) .The final score was Listry/Keel 5-20 Beaufort 2-17. A great game played by two great teams.The boys are neighbours and school mates,they gave their all for their clubs,shook hands and returned to being great friends after the game. Listry/Keel look forward to having Sean Corcoran,Gearoid Ladden,Cathal Griffin and Ronan Buchanan back for the final.Well done to referee John Egan from Dr.Crokes, the game was played at a fast pace,there was a lot of advice from both sidelines,but, John was always in control and had a fine game.
Thank you to Listry Coiste na nOg secretary Fergus Clifford for umpire and scoreboard duty.Thank you to Listry senior secretary Anthony Clifford for collecting the flags and thank you Denis Courtney our senior chairman and juvenile Chairman Denis Murphy for the support. As always,thank you to Listry senior players and all the parents from Listry and Keel for the tremendous support.
Listry/Keel will now play Firies in the East Kerry league final and Beaufort will play Fossa.
Well done to the U-14 boys from Listry/Keel and Beaufort and best of luck to both teams in their respective finals.