AIB Munster Intermediate Club Football Championship Quarter-Final – Kenmare (Kerry) 4-25 Fethard (Tipperary) 0-5

Kenmare (Kerry) defeated Fethard (Tipperary) by 4-25 to 0-5 in the AIB Munster Intermediate Club Football Championship Quarter-Final on Sunday October 30th at Clonmel Sportsfield.

Fethard take a hammering from Kenmare Shamrockshttps://t.co/znuAXUIP31@TipperaryGAA @kenmaregaa @KerryGaa_x

— The Nationalist (@TheNationalist) October 30, 2016

Fethard no match for Kenmare Shamrocks

By Jamie O’Flaherty for the Nationalist newspaper

Fethard 0-5 KENMARE SHAMROCKS 4-25

Fethard’s great run in this year’s Intermediate football series came to an end this afternoon after they were defeated by a very impressive Kenmare Shamrocks from Kerry in the Munster Intermediate championship.

After the heroics of last weekend when Fethard captured the county Intermediate title and secured senior status for next season, this was perhaps seen by many as an opportunity to relax somewhat and have a go at Kenmare but after a tough campaign this was simply a game too far. A tired looking Fethard side never reaching the heights that saw them beat Golden/Kilfeacle in the county final.

Kenmare Shamrocks, by contrast, were hugely impressive. They have extraordinary talents, demonstrating a level of ability that at times left Fethard breathless. With several players brimming with confidence following a successful run of results in the senior championship in Kerry with the Kenmare District side, where they reached the final, they were just too good.

They scored points from every angle and distance and crafted two beautiful first-half goals. A pitch-long move involving ten players, finished beautifully by Paul O’Connor, was the most spectacular, his shot leaving Paul Fitzgerald utterly defeated.

Fethard created half-chances in the second period but didn’t take them. Had nice spells of possession, but failed to capitalise on it. Threatened without ever really convincing they could breech the Kenmare defence. Brian Healy added two points to his first half score and Alan O’Connor notched a point of his own but their efforts were in vain as this tie was well and truly over by half-time.

Fethard will be disappointed with the outcome here but can reflect on an otherwise successful campaign and look ahead to competing with the best in next seasons Tipperary senior championship.

Scorers for Fethard: A O’Connor (0-1), C Sheehan (0-1), B Healy (0-3, 2 frees).

Scorers for Kenmare Shamrocks: P O’Connor (2-6, 2 frees), S O’Shea (0-7, 1 free), B O’Sullivan (1-02), G Fitzgerald (1-0, own goal),S O’Leary (0-3), S O’Brien (0-2), P O’Shea, A O’Leary, C O’Sullivan, D O’Shea and M Crowley (0-1 each).

FETHARD: P Fitzgerald. J Devaney, G Fitzgerald, A O’Donovan, C Sheehan, C Maher, J Sheehan, D Hayes, P Moloney, B Delahunty, W Morgan, T Anglim, T Sheehan, C Hurley, B Healy
Subs: A O’Connor for A O’Donovan (16); J McCormack for W Morgan (30); P Gough for C Hurley (30); R Fitzgerald for J Devaney (38); for P Fitzgerald (43).

KENMARE SHAMROCKS: K Fitzgibbon; Stephen O’Shea, T O’Sullivan, D Crowley; S O’Sullivan, D O’Shea, M Crowley; J M Foley, D Hallissey; P O’Shea, S O’Leary, K O’Sullivan; Sean O’Shea, P O’Connor, S O’Brien
Subs: A O’Leary for K O’Sullivan (30); C O’Sullivan for J M Foley (30); S Dalton for D Hallissey (32); B O’Sullivan for P O’Shea (36); D O’Connor for S O’Brien (38); D Cronin for S O’Sullivan (39).

Referee: Alan Kissane (Dunhill, Waterford).