Kerry League 2; Waterford League 1
Waterford are facing an up-hill battle to qualify for the knock out stage of this season Oscar Traynor Trophy following last weekend’s results. In Kerry, a very strong home outfit defeated Waterford 2-1 while in the same group South Tipperary defeated the Defence Forces 3-0 in a bad tempered affair.
Thomas Fitzgerald gave Waterford the lead after only 2 minutes following a corner kick. Stephen O’Mahony equalised for Kerry on 16 minutes after a free kick was not cleared properly. Waterford almost went back in front shortly afterwards when Robbie Phelan cracked the ball off the woodwork. Stephen Conway of Kerry then smashed a header off the Waterford crossbar.
What proved to be the winning goal arrived on the half hour mark. Maurice O’Rahilly found the Waterford net inside a packed penalty area. Waterford dominated the majority of the second half but they could not get the ball past an inspired Kerry goalkeeper David Hennessy, formerly of Waterford United, who made a number of brilliant saves much to the dismay of the visitors.
Later on that evening the news came through that South Tipperary had defeated the Defence Forces 3-0. Tipperary had opened up their campaign be drawing with Waterford in Ozier Park. Waterford were leading one nil in that game and they then missed a penalty with eight minutes remaining and that was extremely costly because Aaron Moroney scored the equaliser on the blow of full time.
The Defence Forces had two players sent off and it came as no surprise that Tipperary scored two goals when the Army men had only nine players on the field.
After two series of games in the group, Kerry lead the way with 6 points. South Tipperary have 4 points, Waterford have one point and the Defence Forces have yet to record a victory as they lost to Kerry in their opening game.
Waterford’s last game in the group in January is away to the Defence Forces, while Kerry will play Tipperary in Kerry. Waterford will have to defeat the Defence Forces by a large score and hope that Kerry defeat Tipperary if they are to make it to the knock out stage.
A draw however would be good enough for Tipperary to move on. Stranger things have happened in football, but unfortunately things are looking bleak for the Junior Blues right now.
