Kerry SFC Final: Sheehan delivers for South Kerry
Kerry SFC Final: Sheehan delivers for South Kerry
KERRY SFC FINAL REPLAY: SOUTH KERRY 1-13 LEGION 1-12 (AET)
Bryan Sheehan's second half goal for South Kerry turned the tide of Sunday's Kerry SFC final replay against Legion, and the divisional side went on to win the match after extra-time, sealing their first title since 2009.
Legion had led by four at the break and by seven early in the second half but Man of the Match Sheehan inspired an epic comeback, finding the net before South Kerry slowly worked their way to parity before the final whistle of normal time.
Legion still led by two points with eight minutes to go but scores from Daniel Daly and experienced Kerry defender Killian Young forced the extra period, with the sides on 1-11 each after 60 minutes.
Both sides lost their talismen in extra-time, Sheehan to a black card for South Kerry and Legion's James O'Donoghue forced off with an injury, but South Kerry did just enough in the extra period to force victory with points from Daly and Aidan Walsh in the second half of extra-time seeing them take the narrowest of wins.
Legion had got off to a flyer, with Jamie O'Sullivan's goal at the end of the first quarter putting them 1-2 to 0-3 in front. Sheehan was outstanding for South Kerry in the first half but Legion were well on top and with Conor Keane efficient on placed balls, they led 1-7 to 0-6 at the interval.
Legion made a fast start to the second half and following points from James O'Donoghue (two frees) and Pádraig O'Connor, they led 1-10 to 0-6 with 35 minutes played.
However, when they needed him most, Sheehan stepped up and his sweetly taken goal, combined with a point from Aidan Walsh, cut the Legion lead from seven to three in the space of two minutes. When it was followed by points from Sheehan (free) and Conor O'Shea, the lead was down to just one after 47 minutes.
O'Donoghue's free edged Legion two ahead inside the final 10 minutes, but the scores from Daly and Young forced the additional 20 minutes, in which South Kerry ultimately prevailed.
It's the tenth county title of South Kerry's history and this is the first time a divisional side has won the crown since their last win in 2009. As a divisional side, they can't go on to represent Kerry in Munster - that fate already fell to Legion, who lost to Nemo in the Munster semi-final a week ago.
For Legion, the wait for a Kerry senior title goes on. Their sole victory as a stand alone club in the competition came way back in 1946.
Scorers for South Kerry: B Sheehan 1-5 (2f, 1 '45'), A Walsh 0-3, D Daly 0-2 (1f), P O'Donoghue 0-1, K Young 0-1, C O'Shea 0-1
Scorers for Legion: C Keane 0-5 (4f), J O'Sullivan 1-0, J O'Donoghue 0-3 (3f), P O'Connor 0-2, T Moriarty 0-1, B Maguire 0-1
SOUTH KERRY: Brian O'Connor; Brian Sugrue, Killian Young, Paul O'Sullivan; Pádraig O'Sullivan, Bernard Walsh, Denis Daly; Bryan Sheehan, Brendan O'Sullivan; Paul O'Connor, Declan O'Sullivan, Aidan Walsh; Ian Galvin, Paul O'Donoghue, Conor O'Shea. Subs: R Wharton for P O'Connor (36); G Gibson for B O'Sullivan (36); D Daly for I Galvin (43); B O'Sullivan for B Sheehan (BC, 63); A Shine O'Sullivan for B Sugrue (74); O Clifford for P O'Sullivan (79).
LEGION: Brian Kelly; Pádraig O'Connor, Danny Sheahan, Chris Davies; Jonathan Lyne, Damien O'Sullivan, Darragh O'Doherty; Shaun Keane, Jamie O'Sullivan; Billy McGuire, James O'Donoghue, Donal Lyne; Tom Moriarty, Cathal Sheanan, Conor Keane. Subs: K Breen for D Lyne (50); J O'Neill for B McGuire (55); S Sheahan for T Moriarty (58); A O'Sullivan for C Sheahan (BC, 59); David O'Sullivan for J O'Donoghue (66); J O'Donoghue for D Sheahan (72); T Slattery for S Keane (78); K Breen (BC, 80+1).
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