County Novice Championship Quarter-Final Asdee  2-10 Ballylongford  1-12, on a day when conditions were ideal for football at Walsh Park, Asdee the home side continued their dominance over fellow Parishioners Ballylongford that fully lived up to its billing as both sides played a very open; fast paced game of football which contributed to a most entertaining game that went right down to the wire and which could so easily have seen Bally snatch victory. Asdee had to line out without 2 of their regulars due to injury and lost Eoin Kennedy midway through the second half had it all to do but eventually emerged from a dour tight struggle by a single point to qualify for a tilt at Tuosist in the Kerry Petroleum County Novice Championship semi-final. Asdee struck the first blood with Darragh Keane pointing a close in free inside the opening minute but Bally were quick to respond and after a clumsy tackle were awarded a penalty and sharp shooter Ciaran O Connor billowed the net. Eoin O Connor kicked over a neat point for Bally after some brilliant play. Conor Keane and Darragh Keane found a spring in their step reduced the deficit as play swung from end to end. Bally were now playing some lovely football and by the 28th minute Ciaran O Connor giving his side a 4pt cushion as Niall Heaphy, Tadhg McEllistrim and Joe McCarthy in command of their positions and it looked as if Bally would even go further in front. However, Asdee put in a late shift and when a high delivery by Man of the Match John Doran was grabbed by Cyril Dineen who had plenty work still to do as he turned his marker and slid the ball into the net. Darragh Keane added 2pts and Asdee led at the break by 1-5 to 1-4. Certainly, Bally could and should probably have advantage in the scoring stakes facing the second half but one must credit the home side who seemed in trouble late in the half but were inspired for the last few minutes. The second half got underway with Asdee on the attack coming out of traps quickly and a strong run from Martin Collins out of defence and with Darragh Keane picking up he duly split the posts. Better was to come when Mike Breen cut through and after missing a clear goal chance a minute previous, he made no mistake this time around to find the corner of the net. 4mts gone and Asdee ahead by 2-6 to 1-4. Bally settled and after the visitors had the margin down to a 2pt game with points from Michael Holly, Niall Heaphy and Ciaran O Connor by the 14th minute. The home side were just holding on with Darragh Keane for Asdee and Ciaran O Connor and Joe McCarthy swinging over neat points. Then in a rip-roaring finish it was anybody’s game as play ebbed and flowed. Full back Martin Collins made one of his trademark upfield runs, ran the length of the field to kick an inspirational score to put his side ahead by three in injury time. However Bally kept plugging away with substitute Thomas Doherty kicking the second point of his introduction and Ciaran O Connor closed the scoring leaving a 1-point win for Asdee. Teams and Scorers; Asdee; Ryan HenryCon Carmody, Martin Collins, 1pt, Shea Doran, Mike Breen, 1gl, Sean Keane, Conor Keane, John Doran, Jack Keane, Darren Russell, Darragh Keane, 8pts; (4f), Eoin Kennedy, Cyril Dineen, 1gl, Michael Kennelly, Eoin Tydings.  

Fixture: Novice Championship Semi-Final, Sunday 4th of October @ 2.30pm Asdee v Tuosist in Farranfore. See underage fixtures on the Club website.