BERNARD O CALLAGHAN MEMORIAL SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP 2020. IN ASSOCIATION WITH MCMUNNS BAR AND RESTAURANT, BALLYBUNION. ROUND 1 Tarbert 0-11    Asdee 2-8,there’s an old saying concerning the North Kerry Senior Football Championship out North of the County that this competition can be a great leveller and this was very evident on Sunday last at Shannon Park, where the home side who went into the game as raging hot favourites were rocked back on their heels by an Asdee side with a comprehensive dismissal that looked impressive from start to finish; never letting their opponents get the upper hand and two goals (12/and 20th minute) by Eoin Tydings did the major damage and a brilliant penalty save at the death from Asdee custodian Ryan Henry to deny the game going into extra time. The game got underway with Tarbert been dealt a hugh blow when Shane Enright failed to get a start but he was later introduced at the start of the second half. The visitors had the aid of a stiffish breeze that blew diagonaly towards the town goal and got the scoreboard ticking over with a long-range point from Man of the Match Darragh Keane who finished up with 7pts of his sides tally. In fact, the visitors were never headed for the remainder of the contest. By the 12 minute they had gone further ahead with Eoin Tydings finding the net from the penalty spot after Paul 0 Carroll was deemed to have been fouled and was injured in the incident and had to be replaced by Shay Doran. Eventually Tarbert got on the scoring act as Cillian Langan slotted over a close in free after 14 minutes. In fairness to the home side they were putting good moves together but along with a teak tough defence who marked closely they were also off target. Further disaster for the Shannonsiders when a harmless looking lob from the sideline somehow finished up in the back of the Tarbert net. When your underdogs and for a change; things start to go your way, Darragh Keane continued to kick over points with Eoin Tydings adding another with Tarbert’s only reply from Andrew Doherty and Gerald O Sullivan. Half time Asdee 2-6 Tarbert 0-3. The home side now had the advantage of the breeze and started to make inroads into Asdee territory with the help of Shane Enright. The visiting defence were now under pressure with Gerald O Sullivan,Cillian Langan and Paddy O Connell winning plenty ball and bit by bit they were eating into Asdees lead; Shay McDonnell and Mark Buckley were getting the upper hand at midfield; Cillian Langan who finished with 6pts slotted over points to cut the deficit; Now the Tarbert comeback was mounting and Cillian Langan and Gerald O Sullivan with Darragh Keane for the visitors only reply and with time ticking away and just 4 minutes remaining the margin was down to a mere 3pts. Darragh Keane and Gerald O Sullivan exchanged points leaving it 2-8 to 0-11. Still Asdee were holding on as Tarbert were coming in droves and this paid off for the home side who were awarded a penalty in injury time when Shay McDonnell was upended but once again as he did in the first half Ryan Henry became the hero of the hour when he made a spectacular save from Gerald O Sullivan to deny the game going into extra time. For the remainder of injury time either team failed to score as Ian Liston blew for full time to the delight of the men in Black and Amber. Besides already mentioned, Eoin Kennedy, Kieran Kelly, Sean Keane, Darran Russell. and Martin Collins while for Tarbert, Danny Wren, Kevin Enright, Shane Enright, Paddy O Connell and Mark Buckley. 

Teams and scorers; Asdee; Ryan Henry, Con Carmody, Martin Collins, Kieran Kelly, Mike Breen, Sean Keane, Conor Keane, John Doran, Jack Keane, Darren Russell, Darragh Keane, 7pts, Eoin Kennedy, Paul O Carroll, Michael Tydings, Eoin Tydings, 2-1. Subs, Shea Doran for Paul O Carroll, inj, Cyril Dineen for Michael Tydings.  

COUNTY NOVICE CHAMPIONSHIP, Asdee come into the Novice competition on the back of a fantastic victory in the North Kerry Senior Football Championship Round 1 over a fancied Tarbert and will be hoping to continue that winning streak against their great rivals and fellow parishioners; Ballylongford in Round 1 which will go ahead at the Jack Walsh Park on this Sunday September20th at 2.30pm. Certainly, this is a unique occasion with what would sure to have seen a huge gathering but unfortunately on this occasion due to the current restrictions (at the time of going to press) patrons will not be allowed entry; and to add to the occasion the majority of the players involved have played together at underage level. Both clubs are struggling for results at the minute so either will be anxious to set the record straight this time around in which is also bound to be a very competitive encounter as all local derby do. As results go between the sides Asdee would have probably have an edge on their opponents; however, on this occasion it would seem that Bally would hold all the aces having a number of players back in the fold. Both teams can have match winners on the day and none more so than Bally’s Ciaran O Connor who if given any bit of space could well be a match winner on his own, Michael and Tadhg McEllistrim Jack Mulvihill, Sean Hanrahan, James O Connor and Padraig O Neill will be very much part of the action. On the other hand, Asdee can boast of players that would put it up to the best; Darragh Keane, Kieran Kelly, Eoin Tydings, Eoin Kennedy, Martin Collins, Jack Keane and Darren Russell are all gifted footballers. Everybody is expecting a tough struggle but when all is over may the best team come out on top with football like in previous clashes to be the outright winner.