This weekend is what club championship is all about - every team, every group has something to play for with nothing to be decided until the final whistle! Spa travelled to Tralee on Saturday evening to play Na Gaeil in Rd3 of the Senior Club Championship and both needed a result to secure a place in the semi-finals. While our senior status for 2023 was secured after last week’s result, both Spa and Na Gaeil were battling in this game to progress to the next stage.

Despite the aid of the wind in the opening half, Spa made hard work of any scores but an inspired and determined team came out of the dressing room at half time and gave a strong, united performance in the second half to earn a deserved win.

The evening began with a minute silence for Miriam Burns RIP.

Diarmuid O’Connor had two points on the board for the home side before Shane Cronin set up Mike Foley for our first Spa score. Mike Foley then pointed a free to draw level at 0-2 apiece before Evan Cronin hit a lovely long range free to put Spa ahead by one at the end of the first quarter.

Evan added another from a mark before Diarmuid O’Connor was accurate with two more pointed frees, although both teams would rue missed chances in the second quarter with wide shots at both ends. In the 27th minute Spa almost goaled, Ciaran Spillane dropping a lovely long ball in to David Spillane who caught, turned and blasted towards goal but Devon Burns pulled off a great save to deny him. Na Gaeil finished the half the stronger, Diarmuid O’Connor, Jack Sheehan and Jack Bourke all adding to the scoreboard, Spa replying with a Mike Foley free off the left just before the half time whistle that left us trailing 0-5 to 0-7 at the break.

A determined Spa side emerged for the second half and immediately they put Na Gaeil to the test. While Gary Vaughan and Liam Kearney were outstanding at keeping the Tralee midfield threat at bay, Shane Lynch was superb in defence for Spa. David Spillane had two quick points to level the game within the first 3 minutes of the second half, and Jack Bourke and Evan Cronin exchanged points to keep it level at 0-8 apiece. Spa then really stepped up a gear all over the field and added an unanswered six points to go 0-14 to 0-8 ahead with less than ten minutes remaining - Ciaran Spillane with the first from a short free before Mike O’Donoghue added another. David Spillane kicked his third point of the day after his first effort came back off the post, and then Evan Cronin’s shot was narrowly tipped over the bar. Following that, Liam Kearney collected a rebound and pointed after Mike O’Donoghue’s first shot came back off the post and next point came from Cian Tobin after his shot tipped the inside of the upright and dropped behind the goal.

Na Gaeil had one good attack on the Spa goal, Jack Bourke winning the ball well inside but Eoin Fitzgerald got his whole body in front of the shot to block. Darragh Reen and Andrew Barry added points for Na Gaeil but again Spa, winning turnovers all over the field, replied with points from Shane Lynch and Evan Cronin. Diarmuid O’Connor kicked over another free before the Spa goal in the 65th minute, Eoin Cronin setting up Shane Cronin who crossed the ball in towards the small square with David Spillane running in and jumping high to knock it to the back of the net. Diarmuid O’Connor with a late free finished the game at 1-16 to 0-12.

Well done to our senior team and management.

Spa have topped Group A of the Senior Club Championship with a total 5 points out of 6, and have earned home venue against second placed team in Group B which will be decided after this afternoon’s games.

Fixture details for next weekend’s semi-finals to be confirmed.

Wishing all our injured players a speedy recovery.

Spa: James Devane, Eric O’Donoghue, Dan O’Donoghue, Eoin Fitzgerald, Shane Lynch (0-1), Shane Cronin, Gary Vaughan, Liam Kearney (0-1), Ciaran Spillane (0-1), Ryan O’Carroll, Evan Cronin (0-5 (3f)), Michael O’Donoghue (0-1), Cian Murphy, Mike Foley (0-3 (2f)), David Spillane (1-3). Subs: Brian Lynch, Cian Tobin (0-1), Liam Spillane, Eoin Cronin

Na Gaeil: Devon Burns, Enda O’Connor, Niall O’Mahony, Damien Bourke, Fergal Barry, Eoin Doody, Jack Doyle, Diarmuid O’Connor (0-7 (7f)), Jack Barry, Kieran O’Donovan, Tomás Ó hAinifein, James O’Connor, Dara Devine, Dan O’Connor, Jack Sheehan (0-1). Subs: Jack Bourke (0-2), Darragh Reen (0-1), Andrew Barry (0-1)

Referee: Eamonn Moran (Ballydonoghue)

Photos: Anne Holland