The stage is set for a tantalizing showdown in the Kerry Intermediate Football Championship (IFC) final after two gripping semi-finals delivered drama, dazzling goals, and a reminder that the county’s footballing riches extend well beyond its biggest names. On a weekend when legends and rising stars collided, Fossa and An Ghaeltacht emerged as the last teams standing, each overcoming fierce opposition and late-game pressure to book their tickets to the decider.
Let’s start at Austin Stack Park, where Fossa edged out Kilcummin in a thriller that had fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. While much of the spotlight inevitably fell on David Clifford, the talismanic forward and one of Kerry’s most recognizable faces, this semi-final was defined by the collective will and timely heroics of his teammates. The contest remained tightly poised for most of the afternoon, with both sides trading points and defensive stands in a classic display of championship football.
But as the clock ticked into the final ten minutes, it was Fossa’s Paddy Sheehan and Emmett O’Shea who seized the moment. Sheehan, showing incredible composure, slotted home the first of two crucial goals that would ultimately tip the balance. Moments later, O’Shea followed suit, finding the back of the net to send the Fossa supporters into raptures. Those late strikes proved decisive, propelling Fossa past a gallant Kilcummin side and into the county’s IFC final.
Photographers captured a particularly memorable moment as David Clifford broke away, pursued closely by his first cousin Mark O’Shea—a reminder of the family ties and local pride that run deep in Kerry football. Yet, as the final whistle sounded, it was clear that this victory belonged to the whole Fossa squad. The sense on the ground was that, while the Cliffords may draw headlines, Fossa’s journey to the final has been about teamwork and timing as much as individual brilliance.
Meanwhile, over at Paddy Burke Memorial Park in Milltown, An Ghaeltacht and Killarney Legion delivered a semi-final for the ages, complete with momentum swings, spectacular scores, and a late rally that nearly forced extra time. An Ghaeltacht appeared to be cruising when they led by seven points entering the final quarter, their advantage built on a mix of clinical finishing and opportunistic play. The opening half saw Cathal Ó Beaglaoich fire over two booming points, while Ruaidhrí Ó Beaglaoich was deadly accurate from frees and play alike. The turning point came in the 12th minute, when a misdirected kick-out from Legion’s Brian Kelly landed straight in the hands of Éanna Ó Conchúir, who quickly set up Ruaidhrí Ó Beaglaoich for a gift of a goal.
At halftime, An Ghaeltacht led 1-9 to 0-6, and with the wind at their backs, Legion faced an uphill battle. Early wides in the second half did little to help Legion’s cause, and when Kerry wingback Brian Ó Beaglaoich carved open the defense to set up Éanna Ó Conchúir for a low finish past Kelly, the gap widened further. By the 49th minute, An Ghaeltacht were 2-13 to 0-10 ahead, seemingly out of sight. But as any seasoned Kerry football fan knows, no lead is safe when pride and a place in the final are on the line.
Enter James O’Donoghue, the former Kerry star, whose introduction sparked a dramatic Legion resurgence. O’Donoghue found the net, Josh Bowler quickly followed with another goal, and when Cian Gammell landed a monstrous two-pointer, suddenly it was a two-point game with five minutes plus added time to play. The crowd could hardly believe it—could Legion really snatch a draw and force extra time?
But An Ghaeltacht’s resilience shone through in those nervy final moments. PJ Mac Láimh, who had already contributed three points, stepped up to kick two more under pressure, restoring a crucial four-point cushion. Eoghan O’Sullivan’s late scores for Legion came too late, and as referee Eamon Moran blew the final whistle, An Ghaeltacht’s players and supporters could finally exhale. They had survived a furious comeback and earned their place in the final, but not without a few heart-stopping moments along the way.
The semi-final statistics tell the story of a balanced and hard-fought contest. For An Ghaeltacht, Ruaidhrí Ó Beaglaoich finished with 1-5 (including two points from frees and two from play), Cathal Ó Beaglaoich added 0-5 (two from play), and PJ Mac Láimh chipped in with 0-3. Éanna Ó Conchúir’s goal and Brian Ó Beaglaoich’s two points were also vital. On the Legion side, Ryan O’Grady and David O’Sullivan each notched four points (with O’Sullivan’s all coming from frees), while O’Donoghue’s 1-1 and Bowler’s goal nearly turned the tide. Cian Gammell’s late two-pointer capped a fine individual display, but ultimately it was not enough.
Both managers will have plenty to ponder ahead of the final. Fossa’s ability to strike late and spread the scoring load beyond the Clifford brothers could be crucial. An Ghaeltacht, for their part, must address their tendency to let big leads slip but can take heart from their composure under pressure and the scoring prowess of the Ó Beaglaoich brothers and Mac Láimh.
With the final looming, anticipation is already building across Kerry. Will Fossa’s collective spirit and late-game grit be enough to topple An Ghaeltacht’s attacking firepower and resilience? Or will An Ghaeltacht, having survived a near-meltdown in the semi-final, ride their momentum to IFC glory? One thing’s for sure: Kerry football fans are in for a treat when these two sides meet for the championship.
The upcoming final promises not just a battle for silverware but a showcase of the county’s depth of talent, passion, and tradition. As both teams prepare for their biggest test yet, supporters can only hope for another classic to cap off what’s already been a memorable IFC campaign.
