St Kerrill’s take advantage of controversial decision

Date Published: 20-Nov-2008

A SPIRITED performance from St Kerill’s junior footballers all the way to the final whistle ensured that – for the first time in the club’s history – they lifted the Irish Purity Cup after overcoming a brave An Spideal effort at Tuam Stadium on Sunday.

All in all, the Junior County final, lasted well over 160 minutes, but once more, the drama arrived deep into injury time. With extra-time again looking a certainty – with four minutes stoppage-time played – St Kerill’s launched a punt towards the An Spideal goal.

In the mayhem that ensued, referee Denis Ryder awarded a debatable 13-yard free for a foul on Sean Hardiman which Tomas Flannery tapped over with ease to hand St. Kerill’s the cup.

In a repeat of the first match, the sides swapped the lead on several occasions, but Kerill’s were the stronger side in the second period – holding their opponents to just two points – as their superior forward display won the day.

The winners were at it from the off as Sean Hardiman kicked a fine score in the first minute after some great build up play from Kerril Hardiman. But An Spideal…