Athletic emerged victorious after a difficult contest and now it sets them up for a glamour meeting against Home Farm at the end of April when they will look forward to meeting one of their former players, Diarmuid O'Carroll, who will be lining out with the Dublin side.

In fact, it will be one of O'Carroll's last games before he heads off for a three-year stint with Glasgow Celtic.

Killarney Athletic were slow and very tentative in their approach in the first half and Ballyjamesduff, with Cian Mackey troubling Athletic, looked very dangerous early on and it wasn't until the second half that the Killarney side got to terms with the visitors.

Ballyjamesduff began with their midfield looking particularly strong and Paudie Reilly, Stephen Sheridan, Mackey and Killian Lynch were in the driving seat as Athletic struggled to get to the pace of the game.

Ballyjamesduff had a great chance in the tenth minute when Gaffney almost scored and again in the 15th minute a good effort from Mackey was well saved by Athletic's excellent keeper Liam Sheehan.

Athletic themselves had a good effort from Shane Lynch turned behind in the 13th minute while in the 16th minute Liam O'Sullivan went on a great run but he was denied by a fine save from Hugh Fitzpatrick.

Awarded

Ballyjamesduff struck for the lead goal in the 19th minute when they were awarded a direct free kick at the edge of the box and Cian Mackey drilled a fine effort around the wall and into the net to give the visitors a deserved lead.

Indeed it could have been worse in the 29th minute when Stephen Sheridan's shot beat Liam Sheehan but Jamie Wrenn, the Athletic captain, cleared off the line as Athletic began to realise that they needed to up their performance if they were to win this contest.

In fact, Athletic through Killian Young, Liam O'Sullivan and the mid-field duo of Brian Looney and Michael O'Donoghue, began to get a grip and they were awarded with a goal just before half time.

It came when Young was taken down and Liam O'Sullivan's direct free kick went all the way to the Ballyjamesduff net.

Athletic were the happier team at the break as they had retired on level terms despite not playing to their true potential.

The home side began to take control of the game in the second half and Ballyjamesduff were forced to defend, something they did with distinction for long periods with Barry Cusack and Daniel Lynch doing well.

Mackey was still a threat on the break but Athletic began to believe in themselves and they created a number of good chances with Liam O'Sullivan aving a good effort saved by Fitzpatrick in the 43rd minute.

Denied

Looney was again denied in the 48th while O'Donoghue appeared to have been taken down inside the box in the 60th minute but referee Tom Stack waved claims for a penalty aside.

Athletic were now trying hard to get a winner and it came in the 71st

 

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