Spa hosted Listry in the quarter finals of the O'Donoghue Cup East Kerry Championship this afternoon and although the sides were level at half time, a Spa goal in the third quarter helped us drive forward for the win.

The game began with a point from Ruairi Murphy before Ciaran Spillane, Cian Tobin and Evan Cronin replied for Spa. Joe Clifford and Ruairi Murphy scores soon levelled the game at 0-3 apiece before the first Spa goal in the 22nd minute - Evan and Mike Foley linking up to work the ball in to Niall McCarthy who finished it to the back of the net. Listry had the better third quarter, Joe Clifford's goal shot was knocked away by James Devane who at this stage was contending with a strong sun. Points from Aaron O'Shea (2) and Ruairi Murphy had it level pegging at half time at 1-3 to 0-6.

The heavens opened as the second half was about to throw in and on top of the driving rain, thunder and lightning soon followed, with the game eventually finishing under lights.

Evan pointed to edge Spa in front before sub Dara Moynihan set him up for the second Spa goal in the 38th minute. He kicked over another from a free to move Spa in front at 2-5 to 0-6 as the final quarter began.

A lovely curling shot from Danny Wrenn pulled one back for Listry before Mike Foley and Ruairi Murphy swapped scores. Evan added another free before Shane Cronin with a brilliant ‘45 made it 2-8 to 0-8. In the final minutes there were a couple of scrambles in the Spa goalmouth but our defence were able to keep Listry out and a final point from John Foley ended the game at 2-8 to 0-9.

Well done to our team & management.

The draw for the semi-finals was made shortly after the game with Spa down to play Gneeveguilla and Dr Crokes drawn against Legion.

The semi-finals are scheduled for next Saturday December 3rd -

Spa v Gneeveguilla (12.30pm in Dr Crokes pitch)
Crokes v Legion (2pm in Fitzgerald Stadium)

Spa: James Devane, Brian Lynch, Dan O'Donoghue, Shane Lynch, Ryan O'Carroll, Shane Cronin, Gary Vaughan, Michael McCarthy, Ciaran Spillane, Conor Stack, Evan Cronin, Niall McCarthy, Cian Tobin, Mike Foley, David Spillane. Subs: Dara Moynihan, Cian Murphy, Eoin Cronin, Thomas Cronin

Listry: David Carroll, Seamus Giles, Danny Wrenn, John Foley, Damian Clifford, Anthony Kennedy, Cain Bradley, Jimmy O'Leary, Ruairi Murphy, Jack Walsh, Aaron O'Shea, Joe Clifford, Sean Lehane, Michael Buckley, Sean O'Sullivan. Subs: Michael Keane, James O'Dowd, Pa Delee

Referee: Tom Walsh (Rathmore)

Photos: Paudie Healy