Spa got their Senior Club Championship campaign off to a good start on Saturday evening as they overcame Dingle GAA in the opening round of the 2022 Kerry Petroleum Club Championships. Despite what the final score-line might suggest, it was a close game throughout that had a slow paced opening half but plenty of action in the second half.

The evening began with a minute silence for Tipperary hurler Dillon Quirke RIP who passed away suddenly on Friday evening.

Dingle were first off the mark and their opening point from Paul Geaney in the second minute would be the only time they led during the game. Spa responded with three from Mike Foley (2f) and a superb ‘45 from centre back Shane Cronin to lead by 0-4 to 0-1 at the end of the first quarter. The first half was played very defensively, teams in possession building up each attack slowly.

Barra Ó Súilleabháin added a Dingle point from a mark in the 23rd minute before the first Spa goal just before the break, the brilliant Liam Kearney turning over the ball inside the Dingle ‘45 and laying off to David Spillane who charged at goal, rounding one defender and then the keeper to raise the first green flag for Spa. Dingle added one more before the break, Pádraig Mac a’tSíthigh with the point, and by the half time whistle Spa were leading 1-4 to 0-3.

Dingle burst out of the traps in the second half and although Evan Cronin kicked over a lovely point right after the throw in, Dingle soon found their form and quickly had four more points on the board, Paul Geaney with the first two and Dylan Geaney with two more. Mike Foley settled the Spa side when he collected a short free and tapped the ball over the bar but Pádraig Mac a’tSíthigh replied immediately for Dingle. By the end of the third quarter, Spa were leading by just the minimum, 1-6 to 0-8.

Mike Foley (2) and Paul Geaney exchanged points before Liam Kearney was bearing down on the Dingle goal. He was brought to the ground in the 49th minute, Dingle’s Ruan McCarthy sent to the sidelines on a black card and David Spillane blasting home the resulting penalty to give Spa a bit of breathing room, 2-8 to 0-9 with ten minutes remaining. Dingle fought back however, Mikey Geaney and Paul Geaney reducing the deficit to put just a goal between the sides with five minutes remaining.

Spa kept their composure and showed great character as the ball moved from player to player while setting up their next move on the Dingle goal. In the 60th minute David Spillane was again bursting forward towards the Dingle goal and played across to Ciaran Spillane who was ready at the edge of the square. Ciarán’s shot was well blocked but Ryan O’Carroll was waiting in the wings and got a shot off the loose ball to finish the third Spa goal. Injury time points from Paul Geaney and Cathal Ó Bambaire followed, and Spa’s Liam Spillane hit the final score of the day in the 65th minute. Final score Spa 3-9 Dingle 0-13.

Rd2 and Rd3 are scheduled to take place over the next two weekends against Kenmare Shamrocks and Na Gaeil. Fixture details to be confirmed shortly.

Spa: James Devane, Eric O'Donoghue, Dan O'Donoghue, Eoin Fitzgerald, Shane Lynch, Shane Cronin (0-1 ‘45), Gary Vaughan, Liam Kearney, Ciaran Spillane, Ryan O'Carroll (1-0), Evan Cronin (0-1), Conor Stack, Cian Murphy, Michael Foley (0-6 (4f)), David Spillane (2-0 (1P). Subs: Brian Lynch, Cian Tobin, Michael O'Donoghue, Liam Spillane (0-1)

Dingle: Gavin Ó Corráin, Micheal Ó Flannúra, Conchubhar Ó Súilleabháin, Pádraig Ó Conchúir, Conchubhar Ó Flannúra, Tomas Ó Súilleabháin, Micheal Ó Géibheannaigh (0-1), Barra Ó Súilleabháin (0-1), Darragh Ó Súilleabháin, Seoirse Durant, Ruadhán Mac Cárthaigh, Tadhg de Brún, Pádraig Mac atSíthigh (0-2), Dylan Ó Géibheannaigh (0-2), Pol Ó Géibheannaigh (0-6 (3f)). Ionaid: Cathal Ó Bambaire (0-1), Aodán Ó Conchúir, Niall Ó Géibheannaigh, Maithiú Ó Flaithertaigh.

Referee: Brendan Griffin (Clounmacon)