North Kerry League U16 Division 2 Final

Ballylongford/Asdee 1-01 Finuge 6-10

Score boards can at times do an injustice to teams and certainly in this instance, Bally/Asdee were far better than the score line suggests. They tried and tried for the entire game and in the first half were most unfortunate not to have notched up at least three goals.  Jack Mulvihill & Tadgh McEllistrim caused problem after problem for Finuge with their surging runs but the lack of scores for all their perseverance and energy was very frustrating. These two lads have a very bright future. They were well supported by Paul Murphy and Eoin O’ Connor in the forward line, who showed for ball all night. Eamon McElligott and Owen Tydings have put a lot of work into this team and they deserve a win... no doubt their time will come.

Finuge in contrast had lady luck smiling upon them and this in conjunction with some well taken crafty and excellent scores was at the end of the day, the deciding factor in victory. Finuge were very solid and athletic down the centre and combined well to get possession into their forward line who clicked on the night.  Well marshalled in defence and intelligent distribution of the ball meant they took their scores and drove on time after time.  Watched by a large support base the Finuge lads were not going to let this one slip away from them and when referee Thomas O’ Rourke (Ballyduff) blew the final whistle, the Finuge lads celebrated the first victory in the North Kerry Division for 2014.

Finuge had many stalwart displays and it would be impossible to pick out any player for special praise or attention as they combined well as a team for victory. They’ll fancy their chances in the County League, but will face much stiffer opposition in both the County and North Kerry Championship Div 1 later in the year. Well done to them and management Enda Galvin, Martin Galvin &  Johnny Quinlan.  A speedy recovery is wished to Gary Carey (Finuge) who picked up an injury in the second half.  Finally, well done to Thomas O’ Rourke who refereed the game with a great deal of dignity and common sense.  He also showed his respect for these U16 layers as he brought along two umpires.

Finuge: Robert Silles, Conor O’ Keeffe, Liam Mullins, Cillian Mullins, Brain McAuliffe, Neilus Mackessy, Thomas Quinlan, Colin Sheehy, Brendan Angland, Shane Conway, Gary Carey, Jamie Galvin, Thomas Molyneaux, James King, Killian Fitzgerald, Oran O’ Connell, Cormac O’ Regan, Paul Stack, Stephen Keane, Jack Allen.

County Senior Football League Division 1: Finuge are away to Miltown/Castlemaine this coming Sunday at 2:00pm.