Blake Murphy on song as St Vincent's avoid relegation playoff but Kinsale must regroup

St Vincent's 2-14 (2-5-4) Kinsale 0-11 (0-0-11) 

A clinical St Vincent's were far too strong for a stuttering Kinsale outfit in the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier Junior Football Championship at Riverstick.

A late Vincent's goal from the penalty spot capped an outstanding performance, securing their Premier Junior status. Kinsale aren't out though, as with two wins, they move into the quarter-final where they'll face St Nicks.

Kinsale never looked like a side one win away from securing a much-coveted semi-final spot, as their opponents who hit the ground running. Blake Murphy fired over two two-pointers in the opening exchanges.

Kinsale registered their first score from a Stephen O’Neill free, before points from Anthony Harte and Sean Daly gave Vincent's a comfortable cushion of 0-6 to 0-1.

Kinsale managed to narrow the margin slightly on 10 minutes as John O’Brien split the post. Moments later, Kinsale were picking the ball out of the net as Benjamin Long claimed his first of two goals on the night.

Kinsale needed inspiration, and points from Brian Coughlan and Michael Murphy settled the Carrigdhoun side.

However, another two-point score from Luke Callanan and a Kane Murphy point created a significant gap at 1-9 to 0-4. Two Gearoid Finn scores left the score at 1-9 to 0-6 at the break, with David Looney going close for a goal.

The second half provided very little entertainment for supporters, with both teams adding just two scores each up to the 50th minute. Vincent's were two-pointers, including a beauty from Callum O’Mahony.

From there to the finish, the northsiders' win was never in doubt. Cillian Fitzpatrick almost scored a goal, but Eric Fleming produced a brilliant save as Vincents went on to win convincingly.

Scorers for St Vincent’s: B Long 2-0 (1-0 pen), B Murphy 0-6 (2 2pt, 1 2pt f), L Callanan, C O’Mahony (1 2pt each), S Murphy 0-2, A Harte, K Murphy 0-1 each.

Kinsale: C Finn 0-5 (0-2 f), B Coughlan (f), M Murphy, J Murphy, J O’Brien, T Broderick 0-1.

ST VINCENT'S: E Fleming; A O’Callaghan, G McCarthy, K Sorensen; J Price, A Sorensen, C O’Neill; L Callanan, W Long; C O’Mahony, A Harte, S Daly; B Long, B Murphy, K Murphy. 

Subs: C Desmond for A Sorenson (16), Cian O’Neill for Cormac O’Neill (31), G Kelleher for K Murphy (34), R Fielding for W Long (47), W Long for B Murphy (59 inj).

KINSALE: S O’Neill; D O’Leary, K O’Callaghan, L Kirwin; J Byrne, N McCarthy, C Fitzpatrick; B O’Neill, J Murphy; D Looney, G Finn, G Kearney, M Murphy, B Coughlan, J O’Brien. 

Subs: C Fitzpatrick and N Ryan for J O’Brien and B Coughlan (HT), C O’Leary for L Kirwin (40), T Broderick for J Byrne (48), R O’Brien for B O’Neill (58).

Referee: Conor McCarthy (Carbery Rangers)