Kerry GAA Online

SENIOR FOOTBALLERS IN ACTION THIS WEEKEND...

The Kerry Senior Football team have their first competitive outing of 2006 against University Of Limerick at Moyvane at 3.00 p.m. on this Saturday in the Preliminary Round of the McGrath Cup. This is a postponed fixture from last weekend and the winners will travel to Dungarvan to play Waterford in the quarterfinal at 2.00 p.m. on this Sunday.

In the other two preliminary rounds Tipperary scored a late goal in the last minute of injury time to beat Cork Institute of Technology at Ardfinnan on Sunday last and on Monday night under floodlights at Páirc Uí Rinn, Cork easily defeated the Institute of Technology, Tralee.

Kerry referees Pat Sheehy and Aidan Mangan will be on duty in the McGrath Cup quarterfinals on Sunday. Pat Sheehy will be at Cooraclare to referee the quarterfinal between Clare and UCC while Aidan Mangan will take charge of the quarterfinal between Limerick and Waterford Institute of Technology at Kilmallock.

If necessary, extra time will be played in all games in the McGrath Cup until a result is achieved, two periods of ten minutes each followed, if necessary, by two periods of five minutes each.

Last year was the first year that the Third Level Colleges applied for permission to play in the provincial competitions, McGrath Cup (Munster), O'Byrne Cup (Leinster), McKenna Cup (Ulster) and FBD League (Connacht). In the McGrath Cup eleven teams, 6 county teams and 5 Third Level College teams, entered. With the first round games of the National League on the weekend of February 5th the games schedule for the McGrath Cup has to be completed in four consecutive weekends.

TOYOTA CAR DRAW

The Kerry Senior Football team have returned from their short break in New York and we thank all those who supported the raffle for the Toyota Car, which was presented to the players as All-Ireland finalists.

The winner of the Toyota Starlet Car is David Clifford from Keel. Thomas Godley, Ballyheigue won a €500 voucher sponsored by Sean Hussey Menswear, Mark Cooper, Killarney won a €300 voucher sponsored by Browne's Agri Steel, Castleisland. A Garvey's Super Valu Hamper was won by Bridget Buckley, Causeway, Bernard Murphy, Coolane, Glenbeigh won a €200 voucher sponsored by Browne's Agri Steel, Castleisland, a weekend break at the Auburn Lodge, Ennis was won by Joan O'Connor, Scartaglin Village, 4 tickets to the Kerry Sports Stars Banquet was won by Colm Kirwan, Desmonds and a weekend break at Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick was won by Donna Montague, Celbridge, Co. Kildare.

The following clubs won gear vouchers sponsored by Lee Strand, Asdee (€500), Derrynane (€250), Laune Rangers (€150). Dingle won 4 tickets to the Kerry Sports Stars Banquet.

SCÓR NA nÓG

The Munster Semi-finals of Scór Na nÓg are taking place in Cappamore, Co. Limerick on this Sunday January 15th commencing at 2.30 p.m. The winners of the Kerry County Finals will be up against the winners from Limerick and Clare to qualify for the Munster Finals, which will be held on Sunday January 29th at The City Hall, Cork.

Glenflesk will represent Kerry in three of the eight categories, namely, Figure Dancing, Solo Singing and Ballad Group, Causeway in Instrumental Music, Na Gaeil in the recitation, Gneeveguilla in the Question Time, Fossa in the Novelty Act and Kilcummin in Set Dancing.

We wish all our competitors the very best of luck.

SCÓR SINSEAR

Clubs are reminded of the upcoming Scór Sinsear competitions in their District. The District Committee Finals will be held later this month and every club is asked to make the effort to compete in at least two of the eight categories. If they require any help or information they should contact the District Committee Scór Officer. There was an overwhelming response to Scór na nÓg with great crowds attending the County Semi-finals and Final. It would be very gratifying to have a similar response to Scór Sinsear, particularly an increase in participation by the clubs.

The categories are: Figure Dancing, Solo Singing, Instrumental Music, Novelty Act, Question Time, Recitation, Ballad Group and Set Dancing. Clubs should contact the Scór Officer of their District Committee for details of the District competitions.

KILMOYLEY SOCIAL

Kilmoyley Hurling Club held their Annual Social at Ballygarry House Hotel last Friday night. The senior players were presented with their North Kerry Senior Hurling Championship medals and the under 14 team, winners of the Kerry Féile Na nGael final, also received their medals.

A special presentation was made to Declan Lovett to honour him for the outstanding work he has done for the club in coaching the pupils of Kilmoyley National School. Although Declan has now retired from teaching, he continues to give coaching sessions at the school.

It is acknowledged that Kilmoyley's success is largely down his expertise as a coach and his love and passion for hurling, inspiring the young players at the school.

Dcclan thanked the club for honouring him and he expressed his belief that hurling played well is the finest and best game in the world.

CAMOGIE IN KERRY

Mary O'Connor who plays both inter-county camogie and ladies football for Cork was recently appointed as Regional Development Co-ordinator for Munster by Cumann Camógaíochta na nGael. She is currently working to get camogie played in Kerry. Girls, who want to try this very enjoyable new sport, are invited to attend a fun day at Causeway Comprehensive School from 11.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. on Saturday January 21st to introduce the game to them. Hurleys and helmets will be supplied for use on the day. Further details of the fun day will be announced at a press launch this Thursday evening at the Brehon Hotel, Killarney at 7.30 p.m.

Clubs are asked to promote the introductory fun day and encourage girls in their parish to come to Causeway on January 21st.

SUPPORTERS CLUB SOCIAL

The Annual Social of the Kerry Supporters Club is on Saturday January 28th at Ballygarry House Hotel Tralee. Music is by Neily O'Connor. Tickets at €30 each are available from any member of the committee, Martin Leane at (068) 48116, John King at (066) 7124229, Kit Ryan at (066) 7124966 or Donie O'Leary at (064) 58099.

At the social each of the Supporters Club Monthly Sports Award winners for 2005, Marie Daly, Colm Cooper, James Costello, Tomás Ó Sé, Marc Ó Sé and Diarmuid Murphy will be presented with their awards. The overall Sports Personality for the Year will be announced on the night.

CLUB FIXTURES PROGRAMME 2006

The policy of the County Games Administration Committee is that the minimum number of games for club players should be at least twenty games in the course of the playing season. Each player is guaranteed eleven games in the County League and at least one County Championship game. The District Boards make up the balance with the District Leagues and Championships.

Having read the dates for this year's inter-county activity in football and hurling in last week's issue I'm sure everybody involved with club teams be they players or team officials are wondering where inter club activity can slot into what is already a very crowded calendar. Every effort will be made in drawing up the fixtures calendar for the County League and Championships to ensure that the club players get a regular programme of games throughout the year even within the constraints of the intercounty dates. Unlike last year the International Rules Series is being played in Ireland and that is a plus at the latter end of the year.

The GAC has learned from experience that success at inter-county level in football can put a strain on the domestic fixtures programme for the club players. Nevertheless, with the co-operation of the clubs, the domestic fixtures programme can be completed. Continuity in some of the County Championships suffered last year but this was inevitable given the amount of inter-county activity with players on the senior and minor panels not being available to their clubs for championship games while the county teams were still in competition. Club players who are also on the divisional teams can have an impact on the continuity of the championships. Players on divisional teams in the County Football Championship, means that they are not always available to their clubs. Dual football and hurling players have to be taken into consideration when scheduling championship games in both hurling and football.

The District Boards will also be facilitated with dates to play their leagues and championships.

In hurling the National League and Christy Ring Cup dates are such that they do not have a significant impact on the scheduling of County Hurling Championship or County League fixtures.

NEW COUNTY COMMITTEE DELEGATES

Clubs, which have elected new County Committee delegates, are reminded to forward their names and addresses to the County Secretary, Éamon Ó Súilleabháin, before nest Monday January 16th. Otherwise correspondence for the January 23rd meeting of the County Committee will be forwarded to the addresses on the 2005 mailing list.

SYMPATHY

The funeral took place in Abbeydorney on Monday of Johnny Walker who played senior hurling with Kerry in the 1950's. One of his finest games in the Green and Gold was against the famed Glen Rovers team from Cork at the opening of the Ardfert pitch in 1952. The great Christy Ring played for Glen Rovers on that day and Johnny's performance was said to equal if not surpass that of the mighty man from Cloyne.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

HANDBALL

Ballyroe Heights 40x20 Juvenile Singles Co Championships

The first handball action of 2006 took place last weekend, as the Ballyroe Heights-Co Juvenile 40x20 Championships kicked off in Tralee. The 40x20 Singles Co Championships, which is sponsored by Ballyroe Heights Hotel, took place over two days in Tralee Sports Complex. There were over sixty players entered for all age groups, and there was some very good handball on offer. Barragh O Suilleabhain and David O Connor [Dingle] took the U10 and U11 Singles Titles respectively. Ciaran O Conail [Tralee] won the U12 Singles, while Brian Og Caball [Tralee] beat his club mate Conor Ringland in the match of the day on Saturday. Brian and Conor produced excellent fare in the U13 Final; both players took a game each to enter into a tiebreak. Brian went into a substantial lead 9-1, but Conor fought back to leave the game on a knife-edge. At twelve all Conor missed a kill, which left Brian back in and he went on to finish the game. Anna Prendeville, Ciara Griffin and Aine Casey [Ballymac] lifted the U10, U12 and U13 Singles Titles.
Colm O Muircheartaigh [Ghaeltacht], Darra O Suilleabhain [Lispole], Rory O Connor [Glenbeigh] and Colm O Luing [Ghaeltacht], took the honours at U17, U16, U15 and U14. The match of the day on Sunday was the semi-final clash, between Darra O Suilleabhain and Cian Counihan [Ballymac] in the U16 Semi Final. Darra was unstoppable in the first game as his overall play was excellent, his serves and and kills were all coming off. Counihan made a great comeback in the second game, and it was ace for ace all the way to the finish. Darra went for broke over the last few aces, and just pulled it off on the tightest of margins 21-20.
Sharon Twomey [Ballymac], Sarah Cunningham [Tralee] and Fiona Griffin [Ballymac], won the U16, U15 and U14 Titles. Sharon played Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh in a pulsating Semi Final encounter
Thanks to Eileen Long, Noel O Connell and Tom Daly who were the organisers over the two days. Many thanks also to the referees Brendan O Connor, Danny Riordan, Cian Counihan, and Lisa Falvey who did a great job of the games.
The U10 to U13 Doubles for boys and girls takes place on Saturday Jan 14 at 12 noon, while the U14 to U17 Doubles for boys and girls go ahead on Sunday Jan 15 at 12 noon. All players are asked to be present fifteen minutes before starting time.

County AGM/Registration Forms
The AGM of Kerry Handball Board will take place on Sunday January 15, in Tralee at 4pm. everyone is welcome to the meeting, and we hope to see a large crowd present on the day-Meeting room in the Sports Complex will be the venue. Member/Player Registration Forms are out at present-All Clubs must ensure that forms are returned on time.

Handball Awards Night
Tickets for the County Handball Awards night are with all Clubs-cost E10 each. The awards night will take place on Friday January 27th in Ballyroe Heights Hotel. This has proved to be great night over the last few years, as it is the one night that everyone young and old can come together.

FBD 2005 All Star Awards/Irish Nationals 2006
Entry forms for the 2005 FBD All Star Awards and for the 2006 Irish Nationals have been sent to all Clubs Secretaries. The Men's and Ladies Open Grades and the boys and girls U15/U17/U19 grades will be the official Trials for the 2006 World Championships. There are a wide variety of competitions; U13 Juvenile up to Master level are catered for, so check with your Club for details.
Please note that it is essential that entries for the Nationals are forwarded to reach the Croke Park by Friday 13 January to facilitate seeding, draws and fixtures for the preliminary rounds on 11 and 12 February.

World Handball Championships
World Handball Championships are on in Edmonton-Canada this year, from August 4-13. There are a huge number of competitions taking place: Juveniles range from U11 up to U17, plus all Senior and Master Grades. Full details available on Irish Handball Website [www.handball.ie]-go to Links, or go to info2006-worlds.ca

SPORTS CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2006
The Sports Capital Unit of the Dept of Arts, Sport and Tourism are inviting applications for the 2006 Programme. It is open to any handball unit in the Republic to apply for funding provided it meets the criteria and objectives of the scheme. Projects must be of a capital nature and must be directly related to the provision of sporting or physical recreation facilities. Application forms are available on the Department's website at www.dast.gov.ie

Results

Ballyroe Heights 40x20 Singles County Juvenile Championships

Girls
U16 Singles: Sharon Twomey dftd Edel Murphy [Glenbeigh] 21-9,21-4
U15 Singles: Winner-Sarah Cunningham
U14 Singles: Fiona Griffin dftd Niamh Moriarty [Tralee] 15-12, 15-10.
U13 Singles: Aine Casey dftd Alanna Diggins [Tralee] 15-3,15-4
U12 Singles: Ciara Griffin dftd Cornelia Prendeville [Ballymac] 15-3, 15-7
U10 Singles: Anna Prendeville dftd Katie Ni Mhuircheartaigh [Ghaeltacht] 11-3,11-6

Boys
U17 Singles: Colm O Mhuircheartaigh dftd Leon Seidler [Glenbeigh] 21-14, Leon retired injured in second game.

U16 Singles: Darra O Suilleabhain dftd Joseph Sheehan [Glenbeigh] 21-4, 21-14
U15 Singles: Rory O Connor dftd William Prendeville [Ballymac] 21-8, 21-14
U14 Singles: Colm o Luing dftd Fergal Mc Namara [Tralee] 15-3, 15-10
U13 Singles: Brian Og Caball dftd Conor Ringland [Tralee] 8-15, 15-5, 15-12
U12 Singles: Ciaran O Coinneail dftd Christopher Cunningham [Tralee] 15-3, 15-6
U11 Singles: David O Connor dftd Tadgh De Bruin [Ventry] 6-11, 11-6, 11-2
U10 Singles: Barragh O Suilleabhain dftd Cathal Bambury [Dingle] 11-6, 11-4

Fixtures

Ballyroe Heights-Co Championship Doubles-Tralee Sat Jan 14 2006 U10-U13 @ 12noon.
Ballyroe Heights-Co Championship Doubles-Tralee Sund Jan 15 2006 U14-U17 @ 12noon.
Kerry Handball Awards Night-Friday January 27 Ballyroe Heights Hotel @ 8pm
Cumann Na Mbunscoil Munster Finals-Tralee February 25.

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