Spa 3-15 | East Kerry 2-17 Garvey’s SuperValu Senior County Championship — Fitzgerald Stadium
Spa produced a heroic display of courage and determination to overcome East Kerry by a single point in a thrilling championship encounter at Fitzgerald Stadium. Twice battling back from deficits of five and seven points, Spa found one final answer when Evan Cronin stepped up to kick a historic two-point free and secure a memorable victory.
With a strong wind favouring East Kerry in the opening half, Spa faced a demanding task. Early points from Michael Horgan and Liam Kearney gave them an encouraging start, while further contributions from Dan O’Donoghue, Cian Murphy and Joey McCarthy helped keep them firmly in contention.
East Kerry, however, made their wind advantage count. David Clifford’s first-half goal helped them establish a lead, and Spa went into the interval trailing 1-07 to 0-06.
What followed was a second half of extraordinary swings, with Spa repeatedly showing the character to respond when the game threatened to slip away.
David Spillane was central to the fightback, adding a point and a crucial goal. Evan Cronin and substitute Liam Spillane also contributed points, while a superb Cian Murphy two-pointer helped turn the contest back in Spa’s favour.
East Kerry responded strongly. A second David Clifford goal, points from Daragh Roche and a Paudie Clifford two-pointer put Spa under severe pressure once more. Seven points behind, Spa were facing another enormous challenge.
Their response was magnificent.
David Spillane struck for his second goal, giving Spa renewed belief. Further points from Evan Cronin and Cian Murphy kept the comeback moving before Shane Cronin delivered Spa’s third goal, setting up a breathless finish.
The drama was still far from over. With approximately a minute remaining, East Kerry were awarded a controversial free, which David Clifford converted to put them a point ahead. It was a decision that appeared particularly harsh on Spa after everything they had done to claw their way back.
But this Spa side refused to accept defeat.
A foul on Liam Kearney presented one last opportunity, and Evan Cronin took responsibility. With the match on the line, he showed remarkable composure to send the two-point free over the bar & secured victory for the men from Tullig.
It was a historic kick to crown a heroic collective performance: Spa 3-15, East Kerry 2-17.
Above all, this was a victory built on the resolve of a team that kept believing.
For the Spa supporters in attendance & the Spa faithful tuning in online from around the world, this was an especially sweet and memorable victory — a moment to savour after so many years of disappointment at Fitzgerald Stadium.
Spa now turn their attention to a mouth-watering semi-final against local rivals Dr Crokes on Sunday, 18 October, at 3.30pm in Fitzgerald Stadium.
After a performance like this, the blue and gold will head into that clash with belief, momentum and every reason for their supporters to come out in force.
Spa produced a heroic display of courage and determination to overcome East Kerry by a single point in a thrilling championship encounter at Fitzgerald Stadium. Twice battling back from deficits of five and seven points, Spa found one final answer when Evan Cronin stepped up to kick a historic two-point free and secure a memorable victory.
With a strong wind favouring East Kerry in the opening half, Spa faced a demanding task. Early points from Michael Horgan and Liam Kearney gave them an encouraging start, while further contributions from Dan O’Donoghue, Cian Murphy and Joey McCarthy helped keep them firmly in contention.
East Kerry, however, made their wind advantage count. David Clifford’s first-half goal helped them establish a lead, and Spa went into the interval trailing 1-07 to 0-06.
What followed was a second half of extraordinary swings, with Spa repeatedly showing the character to respond when the game threatened to slip away.
David Spillane was central to the fightback, adding a point and a crucial goal. Evan Cronin and substitute Liam Spillane also contributed points, while a superb Cian Murphy two-pointer helped turn the contest back in Spa’s favour.
East Kerry responded strongly. A second David Clifford goal, points from Daragh Roche and a Paudie Clifford two-pointer put Spa under severe pressure once more. Seven points behind, Spa were facing another enormous challenge.
Their response was magnificent.
David Spillane struck for his second goal, giving Spa renewed belief. Further points from Evan Cronin and Cian Murphy kept the comeback moving before Shane Cronin delivered Spa’s third goal, setting up a breathless finish.
The drama was still far from over. With approximately a minute remaining, East Kerry were awarded a controversial free, which David Clifford converted to put them a point ahead. It was a decision that appeared particularly harsh on Spa after everything they had done to claw their way back.
But this Spa side refused to accept defeat.
A foul on Liam Kearney presented one last opportunity, and Evan Cronin took responsibility. With the match on the line, he showed remarkable composure to send the two-point free over the bar & secured victory for the men from Tullig.
It was a historic kick to crown a heroic collective performance: Spa 3-15, East Kerry 2-17.
Above all, this was a victory built on the resolve of a team that kept believing.
For the Spa supporters in attendance & the Spa faithful tuning in online from around the world, this was an especially sweet and memorable victory — a moment to savour after so many years of disappointment at Fitzgerald Stadium.
Spa now turn their attention to a mouth-watering semi-final against local rivals Dr Crokes on Sunday, 18 October, at 3.30pm in Fitzgerald Stadium.
After a performance like this, the blue and gold will head into that clash with belief, momentum and every reason for their supporters to come out in force.
