As the saying goes - goals win games - and this was certainly true on Saturday afternoon in a sunny Fitzgerald Stadium as Spa defeated Glenflesk 3-11 to 0-15 in the 2020 O’Donoghue Cup East Kerry senior championship semi-final.

Spa opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a point from Evan Cronin, Niall O’Mahony adding another a minute later. Glenflesk's Darragh Roche, with an impressive total of 13 points on the day, opened the Glenflesk account from a free in the 7th minute. Shane Cronin quickly responded with a long sprint up the pitch and punching over the bar. A long range effort from Roche landed right between the posts for Glenflesk's second point, but Mike Foley quickly replied for Spa with a 21 yard free from out near the sideline. Evan Cronin added another and at the first water break Spa were 0-5 to 0-2 ahead.

Glenflesk had a strong second quarter, kicking five unanswered points in quick succession, Patrick D’Arcy, Darragh Roche (3) and then Brian O’Donoghue with a stunning curling shot. Mike Foley pulled one back for Spa before the first goal in the 29th minute, a great run from Shane Cronin worked into the attacking forward line, finishing in the hands of Cian Tobin who blasted to the back of the net. At half time, Spa had re-taken the lead at 1-6 to 0-7.

Within the first minute of the second half Spa were again descending on the Glenflesk goal, Dara Moynihan lobbing the keeper to make it 2-6 to 0-7. Cian Tobin, Dan O’Donoghue and Evan Cronin exchanged points with Darragh Roche (4) before Mike Foley landed a pass into Niall McCarthy and he finished it to the back of the Glenflesk net at the end of the third quarter, Spa leading by 3-9 to 0-12 at the second half water break.

Three great scores from Darragh Roche soon followed to put just a goal between the sides as the game was drawing to a close. Spa needed that extra score and in the second minute of injury time Shane Cronin with another sprint up the field punched over the bar. Spa had one final attack with Dara Moynihan working the ball in towards goal and Ryan O’Carroll jumping high to knock it over the bar. Full time score Spa 3-11 Glenflesk 0-15.

Spa are through to their first O’Donoghue Cup Final since 1989, and will know who their opponents are on Sunday afternoon after Crokes and Rathmore compete in the other semi-final. Details of Final TBC.

The Aquila Club Man of the Match Award was presented to Glenflesk’s Darragh Roche after the game.

Spa: James Devane, Brian Lynch, Eoin Fitzgerald, Shane Lynch, Shane Cronin (0-2), Dan O’Donoghue (0-1), Ryan O’Carroll (0-1), Ciaran Spillane, Eoghan Cronin, Niall O’Mahony (0-1), Michael Foley (0-2f), Dara Moynihan (1-0), Niall McCarthy (1-0), Evan Cronin (0-3(2f)), Cian Tobin (1-1). Subs: Gary Vaughan, Cian Murphy

Glenflesk: Marc Kelliher, Shane Courtney, Chris O’Donoghue, Peter Cronin, Sean Lucey, Brian O’Donoghue (0-1), Denis O’Connor, Patrick D’Arcy (0-1), Daniel O’Brien, Emmett Finnan, Jeff O’Donoghue, Sean Doherty, Danny Lucey, Darragh Roche (0-13 (6f)), Ian Roche. Subs: David O’Connor, Eoghan Moynihan, Alan Murphy

Referee: Eddie Walsh (Rathmore)

Photos: Anne Holland