Ardfert prove too strong for Brickeys.

There was no joy for Brickeys in the Munster Club Championship on Sunday afternoon last as they went under to a much stronger Ardfert outfit who had nine points to spare at the end of the hour.

While the Brickeys will be disappointed with the final result of this game, overall they won’t be too disappointed as they will know that on another day, the final result could have been a lot wider on the score board.

The Kerry Champions you always felt could up their game if needed in this game, and early on in the game it looked as if they were going to coast to victory but as the first half progressed the Waterford champions came more into the game and at the break just two points separated the sides.

Just one goal was scored in this game and in the end it proved to be a decisive one. Despite their slow start to the game, up to when Jerry Wallace scored a somewhat lucky goal on thirty seven minutes, the Bushy Park outfit were in with a chance of winning the game.

Shane Griffin opened the scoring for the Kerry Champions with just two minutes on the clock but from the restart The Brickeys attacked and quickly drew level thanks to an effort from Mark Cummins.

However Ardfert were to enjoy a period of dominance after this kicking the next three scores, through Darren Wallace, John Dowling from a free and Damien Wallace.

The Kerry champions were somewhat unlucky not to be further in front shortly after this as shortly after Damien Wallace’s effort a goal was ruled out by the referee as the ball in a crowded goalmouth was fisted to the net by Martin Ferris.

Carthach Shalloe and Darren Wallace exchanged scores on fifteen minutes to keep two between the sides.

Darren Wallace and John Dowling kicked further scores for the Kerry Champions to give them a four point lead with twenty two minutes played, but Brickeys enjoyed the greater dominance in the closing minutes of the first half as Cormac O’Grady kicked the last two scores of the half to leave just two between the sides at the break.

Brickeys started the second half as they had ended the first, with Carthach Shalloe putting over a well struck free, but the Kerry side soon got into their stride.

A brace of Damien Wallace points followed with thirty seven minutes played and moments later Daniel Collins set up Jerry Wallace who had only entered the fray three minutes earlier to put the ball somewhat fortunately into Joe Grants top left hand corner of the net to give his side a six point lead.

John Egan followed up with a point for the Kerry side but it was cancelled out by a delightful Shane McGrath effort to leave Brickeys trailing 1-9 to 0-6 at the end of the third quarter.

Damien Wallace finished off a fine team movement on forty-six minutes to extend his sides lead to seven, which was cut to six on forty eight minutes with a good Carthach Shalloe effort from play.

Points from Damien Wallace, Shane Griffin and John Egan followed which gave the Kerry side a deserved victory.

Brickeys: Joe Grant; Carthach Barry, Kieran O’Neill, Diarmuid Tobin; Richard Halpin, Conor Phelan, Tommy Lynch; Mark Cummins, Darragh Duggan; Shane McGrath, Conor McGrath, Jamie Kiely; Cormac O’Grady, Emmet Gaffney, Carthach Shalloe. Subs: Philip Walsh for Mark Cummins (15), Cormac Curran for Jamie Kiely (36), Olan Casey for Darragh Duggan (41), John Morrissey for Emmet Gaffney (49), Darragh O’Grady for Shane McGrath (53),

Scorers: Carthach Shalloe 0-3 (2f), Cormac O’Grady 0-2, Mark Cummins, Shane McGrath 0-1 each.

Ardfert: Darren Delaney; Darren Dineen, Rory Horgan, Fionan Horgan; Daniel Collins, Stephen Leen, Trevor Wallace; John Dowling, Kevin Shanahan; David Griffin, Martin Ferris, Darren Wallace; John Egan, Damien Wallace, Shane Griffin. Subs: Jerry Wallace for John Dowling (34), Brandon Barrett for Darren Wallace (53), Niall Clifford for Daniel Collins (55), Eoghan Courtney for Damien Wallace (59), John Galvin for Trevor Wallace (62).

Scorers: Damien Wallace 0-5, Jerry Wallace 1-0, Darren Wallace, John Dowling (2f), John Egan, Shane Griffin 0-2 each.  

Referee: Kevin Murphy (Cork).