2015

2015 O' Sullivan Cup Final - 40th Anniversary

played 2015

The 40th Anniversary Final of the O Sullivan Cup, sponsored by O Sullivan Cycles, Killarney, played in Dr Crokes grounds, was a fast moving game with great scores and a dramatic finish to normal time, when two late goals took the game to extra time. Firies led by the minimum after the first period of extra time but Rathmore, who had led for most of the game, pulled ahead in the second period of extra time to run out winners with a three point margin. Fires opened the scoring with a William Courtney point from the throw in. Rathmore responded with two points (Stephan Lehane, Michael A Kelleher). Play moved from end to end, but the Rathmore defence held Firies to a point (Niall Mc Carthy) while Rathmore replied with two points (John Buckley, Mark T Reen) with a well worked goal on the sixteenth minute, when Michael A Kelleher, made a surging run forward and picked out Mark T Reen who found the net - 1-5 to 0-2. A point each by Niall Mc Carthy (Firies) point and Johnny Buckley (Rathmore) left the score at the break: Rathmore 1-06 Firies 0-3.

On the resumption, Rathmore converted two frees in the opening minutes (Mark T Reen, Michael A Kelleher). Firies pressed forward repeatedly and created 3 goal scoring opportunities, ably blocked by Rathmore goal keeper, Jamie Cooper. Firies were awarded a penalty after a well worked move on goal, only to have the ball skim wide. However, Firies kept up the pressure and were rewarded when Sean Burke found the net on the twelfth minute to reduce the gap to four points 1-8 to 1-4. Play continued to swing from end to end. The sides traded points, before Rathmore found the target, with a Shane O' Callaghan goal 2-9 to 1-4, with ten minutes remaining. Firies, who finished strongly in all their games in the competition, pressed forward repeatedly, and narrowed the lead with two Mike Daly points. Dean Fitzgerald replied with a point 2-10 to 1-7 and Rathmore seemed to have the game won. However, Firies were not for giving up and two goals, in quick succession, in the last minutes of the game, (Con O' Mahoney and Conor Randles finishing to the net) took the game to extra time on a scoreline of Rathmore 2-10 Firies 3-7.

Rathmore's Dean Fitzgerald pointed in the opening minute of extra time. Firies had a purple patch and notched up four points without reply, Padraig de Brún(2), William Courtney and Conor Randles on target 3-11 to 2-11. A point a piece for John Hickey and Michael A Kelleher reduced the gap to the minumum at the end of the first period of extra time Firies 3-11 Rathmore 2-13.

Rathmore got off to a dream start in the second period of extra time, with a Patrick O' Callaghan goal. Firies fought back and levelled the game with two points (James O' Donoghue and Padraig de Brún) - 3-13 a piece, with six minutes remaining in the game. Rathmore notched up three points Tadgh Moynihan and man of the match Dean Fitzgerald (2) on target for the Rathbeg side. Final score: Rathmore 3-16 Firies 3-13.

Conn O' Sullivan, son of Owen presented the O' Sullivan Cup to Rathmore captain Brian O'Leary. The O Sullivan cup was presented to the East Kerry Board by Firies C.L.G. to honour the memory of the late Owen O' Sullivan. Conn's son Conor presented the man of the match award to rathmpres Dean Fitzgerald. Tim Ryan chairman East Kerry Board, congratulated both teams on a great game and congratulated Rathmore on winning. Tim thanked the referee and also thanked Dr Crokes club for the use of their excellent facilities.

Rathmore Scorers: John Buckley (0-02f), John Hickey (0-2), Sean O' Riordan (0-1), Stephen Lehane (0-1), Dean Fitzgerald (0-5), Michael A. Kelleher (0-2;1f), Mark T. Reen (1-02;1f), Shane O'Callaghan (1-0), Patrick O' Callaghan (1-0), Tadhg Moynihan (0-1). Firies Scorers: James O'Donoghue (0-1), Con O' Mahony (1-0), Niall McCarthy (0-3;1f), Sean Burke (1-0), Padraig de Brún (0-3), William Courtney (0-2), Mike Daly (0-2), Conor Randalls (1-01). Rathmore team: Jamie Cooper, Mike Joe Kelleher, Micheal O' Mahony, Colm Kelly, Tadhg O' Mahony, Tadhg Moynihan (0-1), Brian O' Leary (Capt), John Buckley(0-02f), Brian Moynihan, John Hickey (0-2), Sean O' Riordan(0-1), Stephen Lehane (0-1), Dean Fitzgerald (0-5), Michael A. Kelleher (0-2;1f), Mark T. Reen (1-02;1f), Substitutes: Tom Kelleher, Patrick McCarthy, Donal Casey, Shane Reen, Patrick O' Callaghan (1-0), Shane O'Callaghan (1-0). Team Management: Derek Moynihan, Donal Casey , Louie O' Keeffe, Mark Nagle

Firies Team: Billy O'Rourke, Liam Hickey, Josh Flynn, Dennis Kerrisk, Shane O' Donoghue, James O'Donoghue (0-1), Seamus Barry, Con O' Mahony (1-0), Dan O'Connor (Capt), Niall McCarthy (0-3;1f), Sean Burke (1-0), Padraig de Brún (0-3), William Courtney (0-2), Mike Daly (0-2), Conal Murphy. Substitutes: Cathal O'Shea, Conor Randalls (1-01), Eddie O'Rourke Manager: Jerry O'Sullivan Selectors: Shane Flynn, Tommy Brosnan

Referee: Tom Moriarty (Legion)