Spa welcomed neighbours Legion on Friday evening for Rd7 of the Co League, and after an entertaining and competitive derby, it’s Spa that come away with the valuable two county league points.

Although Michael Horgan opened the scoring with an early Spa point, Legion certainly had the better opening quarter. Five points in a row with Ryan O Grady (2), Finbarr Murphy, David O’Sullivan and William Shine all on target put Legion 0-5 to 0-1 ahead after just ten minutes, before Shay O’Meara in the Spa goal had his first great save of the night to deny Finbarr Murphy’s effort. Cian Tobin and Finbarr Murphy converted frees at either end before Cian collected a pass right from the kick out and knocked over a lovely score to close the gap and make it Spa 0-3 Legion 0-6 at the end of the first quarter.

David O’Sullivan’s next point curled over the bar but Spa were quick to respond with a great point from Dan O’Donoghue. Aidan Cronin with a point, and another from Dan O’Donoghue, reduced the gap to one before Legion were driving towards the Spa goal for a second time, a great block again by Shay O’Meara denying Ryan O’Grady’s effort. A Finbarr Murphy free increased the Legion advantage yet again, but it was cancelled out a minute later by a brilliant score from Mikey Moynihan. Late in the half Legion were temporarily reduced to 14 men as Danny Sheahan was sent to the sidelines on a black card. As the first half was coming to an end, Spa were on the attack closing in on the Legion goalmouth, Conor Stack finding a gap, but he was fouled as he ran forward and Cian Tobin converted the resulting penalty. At half time, Spa had taken the lead at 1-7 to 0-8.

As the second half began, William Shine and Cian Tobin exchanged points before Finbarr Murphy kicked over a ‘45 to bring it to just a one-point game again. Cian Tobin soon responded with a long range free at the other side of the field and Dan O’Donoghue kicked over his third of the night to make it 1-10 to 0-10 as the final quarter began.

The game was in the melting pot right throughout the final quarter, as Ryan O’Grady and William Shine scores soon brought it to a one-point game once more. David Spillane and Billy Maguire swapped scores and then Cian Tobin and Brian Kelly were both on target to keep it at the narrowest of margins at 1-12 to 0-14 as injury time began. It was a tense final few minutes, both teams battling hard to notch up that final point or two, with possession switching several times between the sides. Substitute Luke O’Neill split the posts after finishing a good play by Dan O’Donoghue and Conor Stack and the next kick out was won in the centre by Michael Foley who burst forward and added his name to the scoresheet, his point putting three between the sides at 1-14 to 0-14. Late points from Thomas Cronin and Ryan O Grady made it 1-15 to 0-15 at the final whistle.

Well done to our team and management. Next game is away to Milltown/Castlemaine on the weekend of May 24th / 25th (fixture details TBC)

Spa: Shay O Meara, Eric O’Donoghue, Brian Lynch, Eoin Fitzgerald, Conor Stack, Dan O’Donoghue, Michael Foley, Ciaran Spillane, Shane Cronin, Mikey Moynihan, Aidan Cronin, Michael Kearney, David Spillane, Michael Horgan, Cian Tobin. Subs: Thomas Cronin, Luke O’Neill, Eoin O Riordan, Oran O Neill

Killarney Legion: Brian Kelly, Darragh O’Doherty, Danny Sheahan, Peter O’Sullivan, Cian Gammell, Jonathan Lyne, Rob Leen, Darragh Lyne, Jamie Alade, Eoghan O’Sullivan, Willian Shine, Finbarr Murphy, Ryan O’Grady, David O’Sullivan, Michael Devlin.

Referee: Billy O Shea

Photos: Anne Holland