Christopher's Book Playoff Place

Senior Football

Christopher’s 1-12 Kerry 0-8

Christopher’s and Kerry met on a rainy Saturday afternoon in a key game for both teams.  With Waterford man Sean O’Hare joining the lineup, Christopher’s ended up comfortable winners and have a place in the quarter-finals.  Kerry have to wait until their final game against Shannon Blues to try to stay in the playoff picture. 

The Press Box was a popular place Saturday
 afternoon as Chris Brady waits for play
to restart.

At the end of the first half Christopher’s held a six point lead.  David Culhane proved his versatility.  Lining out at wing forward, the Ballylongford man pointed twice, while Gavin O’Grady, Daithi Casey, and Chris Brady (Kerrymen all) contributed to the Christopher’s tally.  Kerry had plenty of chances to keep it close, but kicked some bad wides.  Coming up to the break Christopher’s were ahead by nine points, but finally some points went over the bar for Kerry from Gavin Nugent and Mark Schutte to make it a 1-7 to 0-4 Christopher’s lead at the break.

The second half really needed a Kerry goal to spark the game to life, but the Kingdom never looked like breaking open the Christopher’s defence.  James Coffey and Nugent pointed for Kerry early in the second, but Christopher’s eventually soon restored the difference.  The midfield of Dan Kenneally and Pat Delaney worked hard to win ball, and once it was won the forwards went to work.  Brady took a point in expert fashion, Casey another, while Culhane and O’Grady followed.  With 5 scoring forwards Christopher’s are hard to shut down and Kerry struggled to keep the door closed.  Christopher’s could have had a second goal when subsititue Seamus Corry was through, but Donnacha Fenton got down well to tip the ball on to the post.  The win puts Christopher’s on 10 points, which will be enough for the playoffs.  Kerry will be trying to beat Shannon Blues in their final game next week to keep their season alive.

Referee:  Mark Schwer (Cill Dara)

Man of the Match:  David Culhane

Christopher’s:  P. Kenneally, N. Ryan, C. Murphy, T. Clancy, B. O’Regan, D. O’Leary, D. Kenneally, P. Delaney, D. Culhane, S. O’Hare, D. Casey, G. O’Grady, C. Brady.  Kerry:  D. Fenton, C. O’Mahoney, T. Huallachain, M. Godley, J. McGrath, K. O’Connor, I. Whelan, J. Coffey, P. O’Neill, M. Schutte, J. Dooley, G. Nugent, C. O’Brien.

By Rory O'Donnell