2018

Kilcummin wins sixth O'Sullivan Cup

played Tuesday 4th september 2018

Kilcummin 1-14 Dr Crakes 1-13

PLAYED in ideal conditions at Spa GAA Grounds last week, this Owen O'Sullivan Cup Final, sponsored by Killarney Furniture and Carpet Centre was a very competitive and compelling game from start to finish.

The game began in a flurry of excitement as the first scores were goals from both sides. Firstly, Kilcummin captain Ger Sheahan had the ball in Dr Crokes net after he pounced on a loose ball.

Dr Crokes replied when Aaron Murphy got his hand first to a high ball in a crowd, and the ball flew to the net. After this Kilcummin settled the better and kicked four consecutive points from Padraig Nagle, John McCarthy and a point each from midfielders Shane McSweeney and Chris O'Leary.

There was a good flow to the game now and Dr Crokes regis-tered points from Billy Courtney (2), Jamie Doolan and a fine ef-fort from wing-back Jack Griffin. Kilcummin then enjoyed a period of good play when they put four points on the board.

Firstly John McCarthy followed by a Matt Keane free. Then team captain Ger Sheehan pointed twice. Dr Crokes again replied, in a tactical switch they seemed to drop Brendan Falvey to a deeper role and this played dividends immediately.

Full-forward Bryan O'Shea kicked two points before Brendan Falvey started and finished a great move that went the length of the pitch to raise a white flag. Billy Courtney then pointed a free to leave the sides level at 1-08 each at the break.

In the second half, Kilcummin opened the scoring, with a point from John McCarthy before the town side replied from Billy Court-ney and a well worked move saw Brendan Falvey notch another point.

Matt Keane then pointed a free before the impressive Shane Sweeney hit a huge effort in the 51st minute. The game was now in the melting pot. Substitute Mi-chael Casey equalized before Billy Courtney's goal bound effort was well saved and pushed over the bar by a combination of Kilcummin goalkeeper Kieran Fleming and a covering defender.

This encouraged the Kilcummin team and they went in search of victory. Ger Sheahan fisted a point after a dashing run before Damien O'Leary scored with a long range effort.

A further Matt Keane point saw Kilcummin lead by two points, but a brave Dr Crokes side weren't going to lie down and reduced the lead to the minimum when Billy Courtney pointed a free entering injury time.

However,Kilcummin had the composure and ability to hold possession in the closing stages and were able to see out the time to seal a fine victory in front of a big attendance.

The Owen O'Sullivan Cup was presented jointly to Kitcummin captain Ger Sheehan by East Kerry Committee Chairman, Johnny Brosnan and Sponsor (Killarney Furniture and Carpet Centre) Ro-nan 0'Sullivan.

The Man of the Match Award was presented to Kilcummin's Shane McSweeney by Kathleen O'Sullivan (wife of the late Owen O'Sullivan).

Kilcummin: Kieran Rearning, Sean Bro-snan, Donal Maher, Mikey O'Shea, James Nagle, Daniel O'Leary, Daniel Moynihan, Shane McSweeney (0--1), Chris O'Leary (0-2), Ger Sheehan (1-3), Matthew Keane (0-3; 20,Padraig Nagle, John Dever O. 2), Damien O'Leary, John McCarthy (0-2)
Subs: Tommy Brosnan, Sean Moynihan, Thomas Connor, Tadgh Ryan, David Hickey, Dean Cronin .00-floc McCarth�y,. Lorcan O'Connor, Kevin Healy, Paul Griffin