Duagh capped a memorable and historic first ever county championship title when they outscored Listry to claim the County Novice Football trophy at Connolly Park, Tralee, on Saturday evening.

Dominant throughout, the North Kerrymen were well deserving of this success and, even though Listry led on one or two occasions, they could never exploit Duagh s poor finishing they could afford the luxury of 13 wides in total by the end of the game.

In the end, it was Duagh captain Brendan O Brien who accepted the trophy from County Board PRO, Willie O Connor, amid jubilant scenes from the large Duagh band of supporters.

This was a memorable and notable success for a club with one of the smallest player bases in the county.

On the night, Duagh deserved this triumph because they were dominant throughout. Their defence was always in control, with the fact that the Listry attack hardly got a look in.

Listry did create one goalchance of note, when with ten minutes of the second half gone, and trailing by one point, corner forward Paul O Donoghue got inside the Duagh defensive cover and, with only the opposing goalkeeper John O Carroll to beat, he somehow sent his goalbound effort wide.

This was a let-off for Duagh and they exploited it in the full over the next 20 minutes adding six points while conceding one and this purple patch finally swung the balance of power in their direction.

Duagh got off to a great start when team captain Brendan O Brien pointed from play after less than 55 seconds.

Paul O Donoghue levelled for Listry and O Donoghue and full-forward Michael Tangney pointed to put them 0-3 to 0-1 ahead.

Duagh were slowly beginning to dominate the proceedings at this stage but shot some very bad wides, ten in total in the first half.

Duagh did reduce the gap when midfielder Brendan O Brien pointed in the 14th minute and substitute John Dillon landed the first of five points to level the scoring with 19 minutes gone.

Duagh finished the half the stronger and a brace of points from Dillon saw them lead by two at the short whistle (0-5 to 0-3).

Duagh did improve their shooting upon the resumption but tacked even though they were dominant, had to wait until the 43rd minute to notch their first score of the second half, a Patsy Lane point from play.

Listry substitute Donal Sheehan kept his side in touch when he pointed from play with nine minutes gone on the stopwatch.

With Duagh well on top in most sectors of the field, it was only a matter of time before the floodgates finally opened and Duagh finished strongly with points from man of the match John Dillon (2), Brendan O Brien, Tim Scanlon and Alan O Brien to seal their inevitable triumph.

Scorers: Duagh: J Dillon 0-5 (0-4 frees), B O Brien 0-3, A O Brien, P Lane, T Scanlon 0-1 each.

Listry: P O Donoghue C O Shea, M Kennedy, M Tangney, D Sheehan 0-1 each.

Duagh: J O Carroll, J Dennehy, M Walsh, T McMahon, K Quirke, T Dillon, D Nolan, A O Brien, B O Brien, P Lane, T Scanlon, D Lane, C Carmody, J O Brien, J Kelly. Subs: A Kelly for M Walsh, J Dillon for J Kelly, D Murphy for C Carmody.

Listry: C Counihan, S Darmody, K Kennedy, C O Donoghue, M Quirke, T Scannell, A O Sullivan, P Kennedy, P Darmody, O Darmody, C O Shea, K O Donoghue, M Kennedy, M Tangney, P O Donoghue. Subs: D Sheehan for T Scannell, J Mannix for P Darmody, D Ahern for P O Donoghue.

Referee: G Collins (Ballymacelligott).

 

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