2016

Spa wins third O’Sullivan Cup

played Tuesday 16th August 2016

Spa 5-11 Firies 4-7

A high scoring East Kerry O'Sullivan Cup final, sponsored by Killarney Carpet & Furniture Centre, was full of skill and no small amount of top quality scoring. There were wonderful battles throughout the field; Josh Flynn v Evan Cronin, Pat Browne v Jamie Spillane, David Spillane v Sean Burke, and the midfield battle of Spa's Andrew Garnett and Andy Fitzgerald against Firies Eddie O'Rourke and James O'Donoghue and in a game of 9 goals, we witnessed top quality saves from Billy O'Rourke and Conor Riordan. Within 5 minutes of the start, Ed Kerrisk and Padraig O'Sullivan netted for Firies. However, by the 7th minute, Spa had reduced the margin to a point following 1-1 from Jamie Spillane and an Evan Cronin point, - 2-0 to 1-2. Padraig O'Connor and Pat Browne attacked from the Firies defence, to produce points from Browne, Conal Murphy and Sean Burke. By the 20th minute, when William Courtney pointed for Firies, his side led by 2-4 to 1-3. Firies capitalised immediately with Eddie O'Rourke and Niall McCarthy setting up Conal Murphy for another Firies goal. Hard work in midfield by Spa's Andrew Garnett helped produce points from Jamie Spillane, Shane Fenton and the imperious Evan Cronin keeping Spa in touch. With 5 minutes left in the half, Firies led 3-5 to 1-6, and still the goalfest continued. Firies wing forward Niall McCarthy was provider for the inrushing Williamm Courtney whose pass to the corner of the net was top drawer finishing - 4-5 to 1-6. But Spa responded smartly when Cormac Cronins pass was finished to the net by hard working centre forward Jamie Spillane. Firies 4-5 Spa 2-6 at half time.

Incredibly Firies, who looked like winners at half time, only managed to register a further 2 points in the second half. A William Courtney free was cancelled by a Cormac Cronin free. Andrew Garnett produced a man-of-the match performance at midfield for Spa as they scored 3-5 without reply over the next 20 minutes. Points were added by Evan Cronin (0-2), Connor Gleeson and Cormac Cronin before a spell of volleyball in the Firies square ended with Cormac Cronin flicking the ball to the net. Spa had now pulled 2 points clear - 3-11 to 4-6, leading for the first time since the first minute of the game. With Firies backs to the wall, Spa swept forward again and Shane Fenton netted. From the kickout, Andrew Garnett powered down the centre and raised another green flag for Spa - 5-11 to 4-6. In the last minutes of the game, William Courtney pointed a free for Firies before, the game ended with an unfortunate injury occurred to William, one of the Firies stars. Final score: Spa 5-11 Firies 4-7.

Tim Ryan Chairman East Kerry Committee, accompanied by sponsor Niall O'Sullivan, presented the Owen O'Sullivan Cup to Spa captain joint captains Conor Gleeson and Paul Russell while Andrew Garnett received the Man-of-Match award from Conn O'Sullivan. After the game, Tim Ryan thanked Fossa for all their help and the use of their lovely facilties. Tim also thanked the match officials for their management of the game. He wished William Courtney a speedy recovery and thanked the medical personnel for their care and swift attention to William.

Teams

Spa: Conor Riordan, Eoghan Cronin, Conor Kearney, Ayden Mulvaney, Eric O'Donoghue, David Spillane, Mikey Moynihan, Andy Fitzgerald, Andrew Garnett(1-0), Shane Fenton(1-1), Jamie Spillane(2-2; 0-2f), Ciaran Spillane, Cormac Cronin(1-2; 0-1f), Evan Cronin(0-5), Conor Gleeson (Capt) (0-1) Subs: Shane Cronin, Alfie Giles, Conor Cronin, Paul Russell.

Firies: Billy O'Rourke, Dan O'Shea, Josh Flynn, Padraig O'Connor, Adrian Courtney, Pat Browne(Capt) (0-1), Seamus Barry, Eddie O'Rourke, James O'Donoghue, William Courtney (1-3, 0-3f), Sean Bourke (0-2), Niall McCarthy, Padraig O'Sullivan(1-0), Ed Kerrisk(1-0), Conal Murphy(1-1). Sub: Denis Kerrisk.

Referee: Christy Crowley (Gneeveguilla)