Senior County League Result Ballylongford senior team maintained their push for promotion with a 2-9 to 0-6 victory away to Cromane on Sunday.Two first half goals was the springboard to their success and puts them in a good position with two rounds remaining.

North Kerry Minor Leagues

Division 2B Rd 1

Ballyduff/Duagh 3.09 v Ballylongford/Asdee 4.09

North Kerry U14 league semi-final

Asdee/Ballylongford  5 - 11 Beale 5 - 7 (AET)

The parish team advanced to the North Kerry league final after a tremendous tussle against near neighbours Beale on Monday evening played in perfect conditions in Coolard.

Beale got off to a flying start and had a three goal lead with five minutes before Asdee/Bally found their feet.  It could have been very easy to throw in the towel after this start but they gradually edged back into the game with two wonderfully taken goals from Oisin Healy, while Bobby McCarron was unlucky not to strike for goal also. Beale added another goal and a point before points by Liam Connolly and Brendan Keane left five points between the sides at half time.

Half time: Asdee/Ballylongford  2 - 2 Beale 4 - 1

Asdee/Bally started off brightly in the second half with the aid of a slight breeze and had a well struck goal from Brendan Keane in the opening minutes.  Beale struck for another goal but the parish team again refused to accept defeat. The defence was now getting to grips with Beale with Mikey Hannon commanding the full back line along with Michael Treacy and Niall O’Connor in goals and the half back line of Oran O’Neill, Adam Finucane and Patrick Mulvihill putting Asdee/Bally on the front foot with tigerish defending and launching attacks.  Ethan MacDonald was also getting on a lot of ball and using it intelligently around the middle of the field. Further points from Brendan Keane (2) and Christopher O’Donoghue put a goal between the teams with time running out. Asdee/Bally were awarded a free close in on goal, Brendan Keane took a quick free and rattled the back of the net to put the sides level with little over a minute left.  Beale went up field to re-take the lead with a point. However, one final attack lead to a free for Asdee/Bally which was expertly put over the bar by Liam Connolly to send the game into 2 five minute periods of extra time.

Full time: Asdee/Ballylongford  4 - 7 Beale 5 - 4

Beale started off the quicker in extra time and had a 2 points lead at half time with an Asdee/Bally score from the boot of Brendan Keane.  Having clawed back Beale a couple of times already the parish were not going to go down without a fight and drew level within a couple of minutes of the restart with points from Paraic Fogarty and Brendan Keane. It took until the second period of extra time for Asdee/Ball to take the lead for the first time in the game courtesy of a drive forward by Paddy O’Neill and consequently striking for goal clinching this thriller.  Beale tried their best to draw level again but the final score of the game came from Brendan Keane to leave Asdee/Bally winners.

This was a superb team effort from the starting team to the contributions of Jack Hannon and Paraic Fogarty who played vital parts when introduced. Both teams can be commended for their sporting behaviour and excellent football throughout. Asdee/Bally now advance to meet Finuge in the final with a date yet to be finalised. Finuge will carry the favourite’s tag having already won three encounters comfortably this season. However, this parish team will not be phased by this and if they carry the belief and determination through from the semi-final, an upset could be on the cards.

Final Score: Asdee/Ballylongford  5 - 11 Beale 5 – 7

Referee: P Curtin

Team:Niall O’ConnorMichael Hannon Oran O’Neill Patrick Mulvihill Christopher O’Donoghue (0-1)Michael TraceyPaddy O’Neill (1-0)Adam Finucane Ethan McDonald Brendan Keane (2-6)Oisin Healy (2-0)Liam Connolly (0-3)Bobby McCarronJack HannonParaic Fogarty (0-1)LottoBallylongford Ga Weekly Lotto DrawFriday 14th July at Mike Carrolls Jackpot €2850Numbers Drawn 10.11.20.21.No WinnerLucky Dip Winners €20 Bobby Stack BD Agri Parts MoyvaneGerry O'Connor Main StreetBilly Enright BallymackessyThree Free Tickets Joan Dee Well Street.Bar Prize Mike McCarthy LenamoreThank you for your Support.