In my travels in Kerry, I've learned that little - not even Ann Doyle - gets old fellas more excited than talk of Kerry club football. For citizens outside of the Kingdom, the North Kerry championship is something of a curiosity, but it's clear that for Kerrymen of all vintages, the culmination of the North Kerry championship after Christmas is something truly sacred. Here's a match report written by poster 'general' on the Kerry GAA proboards site. If you weren't at the match and crave some GAA this second week of the year, you might enjoy this:
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It is unlikely that there was a bigger crowd at any sporting fixture in the country today. If there was, it is very unlikely that they got better value for €10. The weather obliged as well. The slight mist which fell before the match disappeared at throw in and ,while there a breeze, it never approached the gale proportions of last week.
The game was not on very long when it became apparent that Duagh were playing much better than last week. Last Sunday, they seemed to be overcome by the jitters but today they played with much more composure. I don't think it was a case of a Beale dip because those boys played with a frightening intensity once more. They again started with Jeremy King on Anthony Maher. Like last week, I felt that was a mistake. Anthony was very prominent in establishing Daugh's grip, a grip which saw them manufacture a four point advantage approaching half time. Indeed, Beale were a little fortunate that advantage was not more pronounced. A massive free dropped in from Anthony which was fumbled inside. It looked for a second that a Duagh player might latch on to it and force it home but a Beale player gabbed it ravenously to a avert a goodnight Irene situation for his team. As stated, coming up to half time Duagh led by four but a brace of Beale frees reduced that to two. At the time, I thought those two frees could be very influential on the outcome.
Significantly, Beale had James McMahon on Anthony Maher in the second and these two boys didn't spare each other for their respective fatherlands. Beale started the half with an intense ferocity and very quickly they had reduced the lead to one point courtesy of a fisted point from ? James McMahon. Not too long afterwards, a Duagh player went down off the ball. I have no idea what happened but the referee did not delay in sending off Beale's centre half back, Paul Collins. We will never know how crucial decision was but there is no denying Paul was huge loss because he was having a massive game, driving forward with serious intent at every opportunity. Clearly, it was up a mountain for Beale after that but the towel was never throw in. Their passion never diminished and they made Duagh slave for their elusive title. But slave they did and when young Jason Carmody rifled over a massive point to give them a three point lead one could hear the din of pints being pulled down in the Mall. That more or less was the final act of a never to be erased occasion.
It was wonderful to be alive and to be present at this gathering. This was no shakedown as an Irish actor might have put it. That old sportsfield was thronged, the logistics were expertly executed by the local club and ,above all, there were two teams who unconditionally embraced Kickams's concept of love of parish. I am not sure that I will be overwhelmed to such an extent by another occasion in 2013 but I if get better value for E10 in any aspect of my life during the year I too will be a winner.
Duagh had a lot of bright stars today but I felt none sparkled more than their goalkeeper, Jer Kelly. When a goalie exudes confidence like Jer did today it percolates all through the team. He dealt with several high, treacherous ball with hands of glue and then, unruffled, he found a soul mate, usually with a long kick pass. I don't know if Jer drinks but if he does he won't have to pay for a pint in the Duagh pubs for the rest of the year!
The old war veteran, John O'Brien, was far more comfortable against the crafty Ian Blake today and in the other corner Aaron O'Connor, who last Sunday found Tom Joy steaming hot, today displayed the form which has made him one of the best corner backs in North Kerry this year. Kieran Quirke played with the wicked tenacity that is his trademark.
Anthony Maher, while possibly not as influential as he was in the second half last Sunday, contributed more consistently today.
Martin Scannell , Joey Shanahan , Nigel O'Conner and Jason Carmody, when he came on, were conspicuous while Maurice O'Conner , who seemed to alternate between midfield and forward line, had a huge game.
Sean Dee made one great save for Beale but otherwise was not too busy. All their half back line of Shane Joy, Paul Collins and Philly Blake were tight and abrasive. Shane, just as he did last Sunday, kicked a wonderful point. As stated, Paul's loss was incalculable.
Not for the first time this year, I was impressed by James McMahon. He is a strong and willing and a good kicker. He ensured that Anthony Maher did not entirely boss midfield in the second half. Declan Bambury, as always, epitomised what fellows will do for the parish they cherish, tirelessly giving, giving.
Tom Joy could never shake off Aaron O'Connor today and that severely blunted the Beale attack. Likewise, Ian Blake found John O'Brien in a meaner mood on this occasion.
Finally, when I comment on referees it is generally in a negative fashion. Today something very strange happened. I came away from the match feeling that Seamus Mulvihill gave the best display I have seen for a long time. No doubt , both teams will feel he made errors but when they reflect in a calmer fashion I imagine they will concede that he did a good job. He was bang up with the play which enabled him to be decisive and defuse explosive situations which occur all too frequently in this part of the world.
Beale will be hugely disappointed but when wounds heal they will not begrudge Duagh bridging a fifty year hiatus. Who would.
