Kerry GAA Online

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS PRODUCE MANY SURPRISES

It was a weekend of many surprises in the opening round of games in the Castleisland Co-Op Mart County Intermediate, Junior and Novice Club Championships. The prospect of competing for Munster and All-Ireland success for the county Intermediate and Junior Club Champions has obviously had a major impact and influence on these competitions this year. Our clubs have clearly taken heart from Finuge's All-Ireland Junior Club Final victory and also that last year's County Intermediate Champions, Dingle were beaten by just a single point in a replay by the eventual All-Ireland Intermediate Club Champions, Carbery Rangers of Cork.

Many of the games were very closely contested and in fact in four of them extra time was played, such was the intensity and competitiveness of the exchanges.

In the first round of the Intermediate Championship there were wins for Ballymacelligott, Waterville, Finuge, Spa, St. Mary's, Legion and Castleisland Desmonds at the expense of Dromid Pearses, Gneeveguilla, Valentia, Beaufort, Glenflesk, Sneem and Annascaul. The game between Currow and St. Michael's/Foilmore is likely to be played on the weekend of May 14th/15th.

In the Junior Championship there were wins for Cordal, Firies, Ballyduff, Tarbert, Glenbeigh/Glencar, Ardfert and Skellig Rangers at the expense of Kenmare, Lispole, Renard, Cromane, Keel, Castlegregory and St. Pat's. Duagh will have to travel to Ballylongford for their first round replay. Both teams were still level even after extra time was played.

In the Novice Championship first round Kilgarvan defeated Knocknagoshel, Fossa defeated Derrynane and Listry beat Templenoe. In the Round 2 games Tuosist beat Na Gaeil and Churchill defeated Moyvane. The postponed Round 2 game between St. Senan's and Scartaglin will be played on this Saturday at 7.00 p.m. at Mountcoal.

The performances of the weekend must go to Finuge. They clocked up nearly 220 miles in round trips in their visits to Valentia on Saturday night and Lispole on Sunday afternoon, and came away with 8 point victories from both places.

Ballyheigue had a good win in the Novice Shield against Asdee. This was Ballyheigue's first football outing of the year.

The draws for the quarterfinals were made on Monday night and they have thrown up some very interesting contests, most notably the clash of Ballymacelligott and near neighbours, Castleisland Desmonds in the Intermediate Championship and in the Junior Championship there is the mouth-watering clash of Tarbert and Ballyduff. It is possible that some of the quarterfinals could be played on the weekend of May 15th depending on the teams that will be playing in the Losers Round of the AIB County Football Championship.

Co. Championships

NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE

After a very heavy defeat at the hands of Offaly on the previous Sunday the Kerry Senior Hurling team played their last game in Series 2 of the Allianz National League against Derry at Kilmoyley on Saturday last.

The team management took the decision to select a team without many of their regular players, due to club commitments in the football club championships and the fact that regardless of the result Kerry could not qualify for the Division 2 League Final. There was a visible gulf in standards and in physique between the teams but in spite of that the Kerry players succeeded to reduce their arrears to two points in the second half. It would be wrong to read too much into this Kerry performance because the team was under strength on the day.

After this game they will have a few weeks to prepare for the games in the Christy Ring Cup, which commences on Saturday June 4th. They should prepare well for these games because it is a competition that they have a good chance of winning. The team's display against Westmeath three weeks ago is grounds for optimism that if they can reproduce that form they are there with a very good chance. Also many of the players who were out through injury and third level studies will soon be returning to full training and preparation for the championship.

Inter-County Scene

AIB COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES

It's that time of the year again when the quest for The Bishop Moynihan Cup begins with the Round 1 games of the AIB County Senior Football Championship on the weekend of May 8th. There will be games on Saturday May 7th and on Sunday afternoon and evening. Extra time will be played if necessary. The Losers Round will be played on the weekend of May 15th.

On Saturday May 7th at 7.00 p.m. Rathmore play Kilcummin at Rathbeg, Dingle play An Ghaeltacht at Páirc An Ághasaigh and St. Brendan's play St. Kieran's at Blennerville. This is a change of venue and starting time from that published in last week's column.

On Sunday May 8th at 3.00 p.m. John Mitchels play Austin Stacks at Austin Stack Park, East Kerry play Feale Rangers at Fitzgerald Stadium and Kenmare host Shannon Rangers. On the Sunday evening at 7.00 p.m. Kerins O'Rahillys are at home to Listowel Emmets. Mid Kerry play West Kerry on the Sunday at a time to be confirmed.

Also on the Sunday afternoon in the Club Championship Laune Rangers are at home to Dr. Crokes. Both these teams have a bye into Round 3 of the AIB County Football Championship but this game is a club championship game. The club section in Round 1 of the AIB County Championship will double up as the first round of the club championship as well.

Co. Championships

2005 MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIP DATES

Tipperary play Limerick at Semple Stadium, Thurles in the first round of the Guinness Munster Senior Hurling Championship on Sunday May 15th. The winners of this game play Clare in the semi-final on Sunday June 5th. In the first of the semi-finals Cork play Waterford on Sunday May 22nd at Semple Stadium, Thurles in a repeat of last year's Munster Final, which saw Waterford narrowly edge out the eventual All-Ireland Champions in what was a classic Munster Final. The Munster Hurling Final is on Sunday June 26th.

In the first round of the Bank Of Ireland Munster Football Championship on Sunday May 29th Kerry play Tipperary at Semple Stadium, Thurles and the winners play Limerick on Sunday June 19th. The winners of the Clare and Waterford first round game will play Cork in the other semi-final on Sunday June 12th. The Munster Football Final is on Sunday July 10th.

Inter-County Scene

COUNTY MINOR LEAGUES

Round 5, the last round of the Keane's Super Valu County Minor Football Leagues will be played on this Friday April 29th with games in all divisions commencing at 7.30 p.m.

Round 6 of the 13 a side Division 2 minor hurling league will be played on this Sunday with all games starting at 12 noon. In Division 1 Kilmoyley will play St. Brendan's in the final on a date to be arranged.

Results should be phoned in to the County PRO (066) 71 24754 or faxed to (066) 71 81040 immediately after the game finishes.

DIVISION 2 COUNTY HURLING LEAGUE

The first Round games of Division 2 of the Credit Union County Hurling League will be played on this Wednesday with all games commencing at 7.30 p.m. The home club is responsible for phoning in the result after the games finish. Round 2 will be played on Wednesday May 4th and the starting time is 8.00 p.m. for this and all the subsequent rounds.

COUNTY JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUES

Round 1 of the Credit Union County Junior Football Leagues is on Friday May 6th with all games starting at 8.00 p.m.

FREWEN CUP FINAL

Congratulations to Tralee CBS on their very impressive victory over De La Salle College, Waterford in the Final of the Munster Colleges, Frewen Cup last Friday at Fermoy. The Tralee school has had a very successful year in the Munster Colleges Competitions winning two out the three A football competitions. Before Christmas they won the under 15 Corn Uí Mhóráin title and the Frewen Cup is an under 16 competition.

Adding the Frewen Cup to their trophy cabinet alongside of Corn Uí Mhóráin is a great boost not alone for football in the school but in the clubs in the Tralee and surrounding area as well.

MOSSIE BROSNAN TOURNAMENT

St. Brendan's Board are holding their Annual Mossie Brosnan Memorial Tournament as an under 21 competition this May Bank Holiday Weekend at the St. Pat's Grounds, Blennerville. On Saturday at 5.30 p.m. Ardfert play St. Pat's and at 7.00 p.m. Na Gaeil play Churchill. On Sunday afternoon the B Final will be played at 1.30 p.m. and it will be followed at 3.00 p.m. by the A Final.

NEW YORK NEWS

The Kerry team beat Leitrim 4-16 to 2-4 in a special 13 a side knock out competition in preparation for the game against Galway. Kerry dominated most of the game, as Leitrim did not take their scores when the opportunity came. Kerry led at half time 2-5 to 1-2. The backs played well with Riney and Corbett outstanding. Ferron, Finn, and Lynch followed their men all over the field. Pa Murphy and Dave McSweeney more than broke even at midfield. Danny Downey, P. Mulvihill, and Paddy O'Connor gave a good supply to the corner forwards, Flynn and McCarthy with McCarthy taking over the free taking duties because Bingo Driscoll has returned to Ireland. New players Downey and Corbett will hopefully compensate for the loss of Bingo.

Team: G. Kelly, A. Riney (Sneem), N. Corbett (Firies), C. Ferron (Armagh), S. Finn (Castlegregory), B. Lynch (Desmonds), Pa Murphy 0-2 (Glenbeigh), D. McSweeney 0-1 (New York), P. O'Connor 0-2 (Cloghane), D. Downey 2-2 (Brosna), P. Mulvihill 0-2 (Ballydonoghue), D. McCarty 1-7 (Kilcummin), S Flynn 1-3 (Firies)

Willie O'Donnell could not play because of a shoulder injury and Mike Bishop was doing exams. Joan and Brendan Henchy, Eugie O'Sullivan, Tommy O'Reilly, John Hayes, Tom Canty, P.J. Griffin, John Reardon, Tim Keating, Timmy Curtin gave strong vocal support.

HANDBALL

Minor Championships
Karen Lawlor [Tralee] and Ashley Prendeville [Ballymac] kept the ball rolling for the women in the County last weekend as they annexed the Ladies 40x20 Minor Doubles Crown. The two Kerry girls took on Kilkenny opposition in the Final-Ann Marie Hawe and Claire Love.
As in any Final players can be slow to settle, and this was the case with the four ladies. The first game was very tight, with both sets of doubles gauging each others play. Around midway through this game, the Kerry girls settled to produce some very good handball to pull clear of their opponents. They finished the game in style by 21-14, to leave themselves in a very positive state of mind going in to the second game. The Kerry girls really got into their stride in the second game. They exploded out of the blocks to win in very convincing style, the Kilkenny girls could not cope with their power play. Karen and Ashley pulled out all the stops to leave the Black and Amber girls in their wake. It has been signaled for some time that the Kerry Ladies were the ones to beat in this Years Minor Doubles. They had won all their games on big scoreless up to the Final, and they duly obliged on the Big Day. It is a great way to finish the overage competitions this Year, well done to both girls a great achievement from two girls who will be underage again next year.
Over the last two weeks the Ladies from the County have amassed a very impressive haul of medals at Senior, Minor and Juvenile level. The Roll of Honor reads as follows: Senior Singles [Maria Daly], Minor Singles [Ashley Prendeville], Minor Doubles [Karen Lawlor & Ashley Prendeville], U17 Singles [Fiona Ni Chathain], U15 Doubles [Ciara Ni She & Eilis Ni Luing]. This shows that the girls from the Kingdom are leading the way at National Level, at all levels of the Sport.
NB: Highlights of the Senior Singles games in Moycullen will be shown on TG4's Ard San Aer at 8.30p.m. On Monday, May 2nd.

Community Games-Co Finals
With the Gaeltacht U 13 boys and Ballymac U 13 girls already through to represent Kerry in the Munster finals of Community Games,it was the turn of the U 15 boys to compete for the honour at Tralee Sports Complex on Saturday.With a healthy entry of five teams from Glenbeigh,Ballymac,Liospóil,Dingle and an Ghaeltacht the day resulted in some fine handball with Dingle overcoming stubborn resistance from Glenbeigh to take gold, while An Ghaeltacht edged out Ballymac for bronze.
Thanks to Eilin Long, Joe Creedon, all the referees and anybody else who helped out on the day.

Forthcoming Events

FBD Nationals
The FBD National Awards take place next weekend in Cavan. Maria Daly has dominated the Young Female player of the Year award, for the last number of years. Lets hope that the County will be in the running again for one of the awards.
In the Men's Open-Ollie Cassidy the County Handball Coach takes on Walter O Connor in the First Round of the Men's Open.
The FBD Junior Nationals Finals will be played on Monday May 2nd in Kingscourt. The winners of the Nationals will represent Ireland in the US Junior Nationals in the US next December. Kerry have two players in the Finals; Ashley Prendeville [Ballymac] in the U17 Girls and Sharon Twomey [Ballymac] in the U15 Girls. Ashley is going to have a tough game against Aisling Reilly of Antrim, but she is well capable of beating the Northern Girl. The Ballymac girl is in great form at the present, and while it wont be easy to clinch the Title she has the ammunition to proceed.
Sharon Twomey plays Louise Walsh [Kildare] in the U15 Final, and Sharon should progress here. The Kildare girl is something of an unknown quantity, but I cant see her beating Sharon in this decider. The young girl from Ballydwyer, is a very talented player and should prove too strong for the Leinster player.
U16 Girls 40x20 Club Team
The U16 Girls Club Team Of Six will be on in May, Clubs should be organising their girls now. Format of this Competition is a Team of Six, with four to play and two subs. Sequence of play is singles, doubles, singles-all players to be U16 on January 1st 2005.
Feile Na Gael
Deadline for receipt of names for Feile Na Gael is Friday 29th April.

Results

All Ireland 40x20 Finals

Ladies Minor Doubles: All-Ireland Final
Galbally Sunday April 24th
Karen Lawlor/Ashley Prendeville dftd Claire Love/Ann Marie Hawe [Kilkenny] 21-14,21-2

Community Games-Co Final Results

U13 Boys Winners: Ghaeltacht- Sean O Se, Eoin O Mhuircheartaigh, Dara O Se, Conall Mac Gearailt

U13 Girls: Ballymac-Aine Casey, Ciara Griffin, Nicola Horan, Laura Keane, Cornelia Prendeville, Hazel Prendeville.

U15 Boys Winners:Dingle-Dara O Suilleabhain, Eoin O Chonchuir, Niall O Chonchuir, Pol O Geanai, Sean O Flaharta.
R-Up:Glenbeigh-Jason Mc Kenna, Rory O Connor, Colin Mc Gillycuddy, Joseph Sheehan
Bronze:Ghaeltacht-Cian Mac Eoin, Eoin O Cathain, Colm Mac Gearailt, Colm O Luing, Caoimhin O Se
Fourth-Ballymac: Wayne Teahan, William Prendeville, Brendan O Donnell, Brian Keane, Sean Jameson, Brian Casey

Fixtures

Munster Championships: First Round 40x20 Teams Of Six;

Wednesday April 27th-Mallow @ 6.30pm
Kerry V Waterford in U12/13 and U14/15

FBD Nationals: Kingscourt

Mens Open
Friday April 29th @ 7pm:
[a] Ollie Cassidy V Walter O Connor [Meath]
Saturday April 30th @ 10am: Winner of [a] V Tony Healy [Cork]

Junior Finals
Monday May 2nd
U17 Girls Final @ 9pm: Ashley Prendeville [Ballymac] V Aisling Reilly [Antrim]
U15 Girls Final @ 12 Noon: Sharon Twomey [Ballymac] V Louise Walsh [Kildare]

May 2nd-Community Games Co Final
U15 Girls-Ghaeltacht V Oakpark

Dates to look out for
May 7th: U16 Girls Club 40x20 Team Championships
May 7th: All Ireland Semi- Finals & Finals U12/13 and U14/15 Teams Of Six 40x20.
May 14th: Girls U13/17 Team Of Ten 40x20 InterProvincial

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