Sport

Tralee let victory slip from grasp

Dundalk IT - 2-12 Tralee IT - 0-17: Sigerson Cup: Tralee IT will wonder how they managed to lose this Sigerson Cup, first-round…

Fri Feb 07 2003 - 00:00

Dundalk IT - 2-12 Tralee IT - 0-17:Sigerson Cup: Tralee IT will wonder how they managed to lose this Sigerson Cup, first-round clash with Dundalk IT at Stradbally, as they handed Dundalk IT their first win in the competition.

Tralee raced into an early lead thanks to the midfield dominance of Kerry seniors Donal Daly and Michael Quirke, and splendid forward play by Colm Cooper, Ronan O'Connor and Michael Collins.

Then disaster number one for Tralee came in the 18th minute when a speculative lob from Brian Farrell hopped in front of Tralee goalkeeper Seán Murphy and sailed over his head into the net.

Tralee recovered thanks to man of the match Michael Quirke and a succession of points from O'Connor, Cooper, Damien McCarthy and Mike Collins saw the sides level, 1-6 to 0-9, at the interval.

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Dundalk appeared in trouble when they had forward Gavin Farrelly sent off in the 39th minute with the sides on 1-8 to 0-11 and Tralee seemed to have built an unassailable lead with five points.

However, with 10 minutes remaining, Dundalk knocked over three quick points. Tralee then had Brian O'Flaherty sent off. Then a high lob from Cullen was punched by goalkeeper Murphy into the path of Daniel Woods, and he accepted the gift and found the Tralee net to give Dundalk 2-12 to 0-16 lead. Tralee had a couple of late chances but a Cooper point was their only return as Dundalk held on for victory.

Meanwhile, University of Limerick defeated Athlone IT, 0-11 to 0-12, after extra-time yesterday in Athlone.

IT Tralee: S Murphy; P Browne, E Lawlor, A O'Connell; N Kelders, P Quillanan, J Keohane; D Daly (0-2), M Quirke; D McCarthy (0-1), D Browder (0-2), B O'Flaherty (0-3); C Cooper (0-3), R O'Connor (0-4, one free), M Collins (0-2). Subs: A Morris for J Keohane 42 min, M Finn for N Kelders 46 mins), S O'Connor for M Quirke 56 mins.

Dundalk IT: S McCoy; D Walsh, P Clarke, D Teelen; T Farrelly, D McMahon, D Woods (1-1); D F McKenna, F Murphy; D Larkin, R Woods (0-4, one free), K Galligan; B Farrell (1-5, four frees), G Cullen (0-2), G Farrelly. Subs: R Cassidy for K Galligan.

Referee: N Cooney (Offaly).