Skellig Rangers 2-5
Waterville 0-10
THE Jack Murphy will take pride of place for the coming weeks in Portmagee as classy Skellig Rangers claimed the famous trophy after 120 minutes of hard fought football on Tuesday in Con Keating Park for only the third time in 103 years.
When two games couldn’t separate the evenly match sides of Skellig Rangers and Waterville, extra time was called upon, where the men from Portmagee prevailed by the minimum. A tally of 1-4 from placed balls from Brian Hickey which included a point just before the break in extra time secured the title and with that, the chance to choose next year’s captain of the county senior team. Maybe no better man than the match winner and man of the match, Brian Hickey.
In a game that there had to be winners and losers, it was football that really won the day with the game already being earmarked as one of the best ever South Kerry championships finals.
Although the victors, high on tempo, adrenalin and industry, had knocked out the holders, Dromid Pearses, in the previous round this was a game in which nobody could pick a winner of before hand, and still after the first game, spectators were none the wiser.
The notion that the Rangers had their chance last Saturday fell through with two first half goals from Paul McGill and Brian Hickey. Despite Waterville’s over reliance on Paddy Curran they never fell too far behind, but why not rely on the 18 year old, as he really showed his potential kicking seven of his side’s 10 points, where Waterville did falter though was when the rest of the forwards could only muster a single score from play between them.
It was Paddy Curran who got the game flowing in the opening minute with a 21m free after a foul on corner forward Alan O’Shea. A somewhat simple Skellig Rangers free in front of the posts was turned into a major risk on three minutes when Brian Hickey found the unmarked midfielder Paul McGill in space and when McGill raced into a one on one with Bernard Murphy he made no mistake in tucking the ball to the bottom left corner. Curran and Hickey exchanged frees before Waterville leveled the tie with two unanswered points the first a massive Curran free from 45 metres and Gearoid O’Sullivan.
Skellig Rangers were dealt a blow on 20 minutes when free taker Sean Courtney had to be stretchered off with a knee injury. Only two minutes later Christopher O’ Driscoll and McGill combined to create a situation designed for Courtney as referee Peter Lyons awarded a penalty when Paul Galvin, who was receiving a run around from Paul McGill, dragged the latter to the ground. Up stepped centre-forward Brian Hickey, who missed one previous in the semi-final against Dromid. He made no mistake this time smashing it to the roof of the net and putting daylight between the sides.
Waterville should have been dead and buried now only for Curran who popped up with two more extraordinary points from 42 and 35 metres to cut the margin to one before the break, 0-6 to 2-1.
Into the second half, Waterville could have fell further behind when Adrian Casey nearly pulled off one of his trademark fisted goals but had to settle with a point. Waterville introduced Denis Donnelly to provide an extra dimension to attack but to no avail when the 18 year old, who mentioned in the program notes he would most like to meet Mike Tyson, saw a straight red after only 11 minutes for a blatant dangerous foul in front of referee Lyons on Colin O’Sullivan. The dangerous duo of youth and experienced, Paddy Curran and Denis Dwyer both added pointed free as Waterville seemed to be dominating play. A point from Hickey and a massive effort from the corner flag from Curran meant the game would go to extra time.
Brian Hickey was the man of the moment and was the crucial factor in Skellig Rangers game, especially when it came to frees. Two 21-metre frees in the opening half of extra time from Hickey, compared to a Seamus O’Sullivan effort for Waterville meant the Rangers had the edge.
But when Waterville hit four second period wides, including a long-range effort from Curran whose tally over the two games reached 1-10 – with the final kick of the game, Waterville knew it wasn’t going to be their day and Skellig Rangers were crowned South Kerry senior football champions for 2006.
SCORERS WATERVILLE: Patrick Curran (0-7, 4f), Gearoid O’Sullivan (0-1), Denis 0’Dwyer (0-1f), Seamus O’Sullivan (0-1).
SKELLIG RANGERS: Brian Hickey (1-4, all frees), Paul McGill (1-0), Adrian Casey (0-1).
WATERVILLE: Bernard Murphy, Kevin 0’Dwyer, Seamus O’Shea, Mike O’Shea, Gary Galvin, Haulie Courtney, Vince Sullivan, Seamus O’Sullivan, Paul Galvin, Martin Curran, Denis ‘Carroll, Gearoid O’Sullivan, Patrick Curran, Denis 0’Dwyer, Alan O’Shea. Subs used: Brendan ‘Buddy’ O’Shea, Keith Moran, Denis Donnelly, John D O’Shea.
SKELLIG RANGERS: Mike Brennan, Wayne O’Sullivan, Stephen O’Sullivan, Colm Martin, Colin O’Sullivan, Kevin Martin, Mark O’Connell, Paul McGill, Aidan O’Sullivan, John 0’Driscoll, Brian Hickey, Christopher 0’Driscoll, Gary 0’Driscoll, Adrian Casey, Sean Courtney. Subs used: Declan O’Sullivan, Brendan O’Sullivan, Seamus Sullivan, John O’Leary.
REFEREE: Peter Lyons (Laune Rangers)
THE MEN OF ’06 BY FRANCIE O’DRISCOLL
Saint Stephen’s day, in Con Keating park, is where we all did see. A South-Kerry final replay, between Waterville and Portmagee.The first clash was a brillant game, 2-8 each side notched up .But now we’re back in town again, to see who’ll raise the cup.
We have to go a long way back, to nineteen sixty eight.Those men who brought usvictory then, we still appreciate.But now we have a gallant squad, who really want to win. Our picking catch, is from Ardcost and down into the Glen.
With Frank, and Paul and Anthony, preparing for this day. They trained them here in Portmagee and sometimes went away. Our goalie is Micheal Brennan, he’s there to mind the net. If you said he kicked, out sixty yards, your sure to win your bet.
Wayne O’ Sullivan is a marker, a defender quick and cute. When a foeman tries to take a shot, he’s right down on their boot. Our full back Stephen O’Sullivan, a solid rock is he. With style and strength he’ll keep them out, he’s the pride of Portmagee.
Colm Martin in the corner, we wait to hear the roar. When attackers try to pass him, we see him close the door. Mark O’Connell from the village, the man with lightening pace. Opponents, they don’t worry him, he’ll always win the race.
Colin Sullivan at centre back, is there to take the strain. We see him burst out of defense and go forward like a train. Kevin Martin’s got experience, we know he never fails. We’re glad he’s here in Ireland now and said goodbye to Wales.
Aidan ‘ Dash’ O’ Sullivan. and his colleague Paul McGill. What a mighty midfield pairing, their supporters they did thrill. Our captain John O’ Driscoll, his team he did inspire. His occupation is electrics, on the field a real live wire.
Centre forward is Brian Hickey, now they know he is a danger. Their centre back, will mark him tight, this powerful Skellig Ranger. Our minor Gary O ‘Driscoll, got speed and skill and tricks.He says Jack Murphy is in Santa’s bag, for Christmas zero six.
Chris O’ Driscoll is lion hearted, each time he gives his all. With craft and power, he’ll fight his way, to win his team the ball. Adrian Casey is a talent, his man must watch him close. If they lose him, for one second, he’s sure to find the posts.
Sean Courtney in the corner, is now a forward star. From open play or free kicks, he’ll send it o’er the bar. Brendan Sullivan and Brian ‘Driscoll, we called them from the bench. With John O’Leary and John Casey, these men, will never flinch.
Dec. Sullivan too, when called upon, he stood up to the test. As did young Seamus from the Pound, who always gives his best.There are others too who helped us on, we’re all aware of that.All our subs, have trained real hard, and pushed us, down this path.
Our Chairman is, well organised he answered every call. Kevin Martin Senior. The man from Donegal. Well now my story’s ended, Jack Murphy is with us now. I say to squad and management, stand up and take a bow.
SUBS: 22.Declan O’Leary, 23.Patrick McGill, 24. Declan Keating, 25. Brian O’ Sullivan, 26.Brian McGill. 27.Eoin ‘Mahoney, 28 James Walsh, 29 Joe Moore, 30. Ger Walsh, 31 .Bernard Casey, 32.David Hussey, 33. Eoin O’Connor. 34.Colm O’Connell.
Score at full time. 2-3. to 0-9. Final Score after extra time. 2-5 to 0-10.
Man of Match. Brian Hickey.
TRAINER: Frank O’Connell. SELECTORS: Anthony Keating & Paul Murphy.
Player of the Year. Paul McGill.
Skellig Rangers GAA 