They say goals win games and that was certainly the case in Killorglin on Sunday afternoon as Spa and Dingle met in Rd1 of this year's Co. Championship. Having already met in Rd1 of the Club Championship last month, the sides knew what battle lay ahead.

Paul Geaney tapped over a free in the early minutes and Evan Cronin replied with a lovely long range shot to make it 0-1 apiece after five minutes. Both teams had some good scoring opportunities in the opening quarter but frustratingly, every shot they took landed left or right of the posts. It was on the quarter hour mark before Mike Foley kicked the next point and the Spa goal came two minutes later, a free for David Spillane and as the Dingle crew protested, David took the free quickly and lobbed the keeper to give Spa a 1-2 to 0-1 lead.

Dingle were quick to respond however, Tom O’Sullivan (2f) and Dylan Geaney (2) levelling the game before Shane Cronin punched over the bar to give Spa the lead for the final time in the game. Geaney hit another point before he was brought down in the square on his next attack, Mikey Geaney converting from the penalty spot right before the half time whistle. At the break, Dingle had gone in front and it was now Spa 1-3 to Dingle 1-6.

Barra Ó Súilleabháin scored right from the restart before Paul Geaney’s free tipped the inside of the post to extend that lead. Mike Foley and Mikey Geaney swapped scores and momentum swung in Spa’s direction for a short while as Evan Cronin and Gary Vaughan pointed to reduce the gap to just three points - Spa now trailing 1-6 to 1-9 after forty minutes of play. Dingle swiftly replied however, and Paul Geaney goaled in the 43rd minute. He then he set up the third goal in the 51st minute, a sideline ball dropped in towards the goalmouth and Mikey Geaney jumping to knock it into the back of the Spa net. Goal number four came from Niall Geaney in the 62nd minute and a final point from Dylan Geaney closed out the scoring at Spa 1-6 to Dingle 4-10.

Next weekend Spa play East Kerry in Rd2 followed by Kerins O’Rahillys the weekend after - all fixture details to be confirmed.

Wishing our injured players a speedy recovery.

Spa: James Devane, Eric O'Donoghue, Dan O'Donoghue, Brian Lynch, Ryan O'Carroll, Shane Cronin (0-1), Gary Vaughan (0-1), Liam Kearney, Ciaran Spillane, Michael O'Donoghue, Evan Cronin (0-2f), Conor Stack, Cian Tobin, Michael Foley (0-2 (1f)), David Spillane (1-0). Subs: Eoin Fitzgerald, Liam Spillane, Eoin Cronin, Mikey Moynihan, Thomas Cronin.

Dingle: Gavin Ó Corráin, Micheal Ó Flannúra, Conchubhar Ó Súilleabháin, Conchubhar Ó Flannúra, Pádraig Ó Conchúir, Tomas Ó Súilleabháin (0-2f), Niall Ó Géibheannaigh (1-0), Barra Ó Súilleabháin (0-1), Liam Ó Conchúir, Ruadhán Mac Cárthaigh, Seoirse Durrant, Maithiú Ó Flaithertaigh, Dylan Ó Géibheannaigh (0-4), Pol Ó Géibheannaigh (1-2 (2f), Mícheál Ó Géibheannaigh (2-1(1P).

Referee: Daniel Clifford (Laune Rangers)