Kerry GAA Online

MCGRATH CUP SEMI-FINAL...

The Kerry senior football team have made a very positive start to their 2006 season after a hectic and successful weekend of games and travel, which saw them defeat the University Of Limerick on Saturday last at Moyvane and a victory over Waterford at Dungarvan on Sunday, both games in the McGrath Cup.

They play University College Cork in the semi-final this Sunday at 2.00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney. Admission is €5 and under 16's are admitted free.

The selectors have availed of the opportunity to view as many players as possible in a competitive setting in the McGrath Cup and Sunday's game against UCC provides them with yet another opportunity to explore their options in advance of the start of the National League in two weeks time.

WATERFORD CRYSTAL CUP

The Kerry senior hurling team begin their playing season on this Sunday at 2.00 p.m. at Ballyheigue when they play Waterford Institute of Technology in the quarterfinal of the inaugural Waterford Crystal Cup.

This competition will provide competitive action for the players rather then playing challenge games, which can often be of little benefit and suitable challenge games can also be very difficult to arrange. Win or lose they are guaranteed two games in this competition. Teams that lose their first game will play in the Waterford Crystal Shield.

DARA Ó CINNÉIDE

Dara's retirement from intercounty football has been marked with well-deserved and fitting tributes from players, officials and commentators. His illustrious playing career with Kerry, his articulate and sincere approach with the press and media, his generosity and courtesy towards his many fans of all ages have rightly portrayed him as an outstanding sportsman and role model.

From the moment he accepted the Sam Maguire Cup after our All-Ireland Final victory in 2004 his genuine sincerity was evident to all as he fulfilled the public duties of team captain with the utmost finesse and dignity. His public profile and stature grew greatly and he was most generous in meeting the demands that were put on his time. Those close to the team were well aware of his leadership qualities for many years and his year as Kerry captain will certainly be remembered by everybody as one where he made us all feel very proud of being from Kerry.

Míle buíochas, Dara - ceannaire den chéad scoth, laoch ar an bpáirc imeartha agus fear fíor uasal - exemplary sportsman, inspirational captain and thorough gentleman.

SCÓR NA nÓG

At the Munster Semi-finals of Scór Na nÓg, which took place in Cappamore, Co. Limerick last Sunday, the standard of competition were very high in all the eight categories. The winners of the Kerry County Finals were competing against the winners from Limerick and Clare to secure the coveted places in the Munster Finals, which will be held on Sunday January 29th at The City Hall, Cork at 2.00 p.m. .

Congratulations to Glenflesk, who successfully represented Kerry in three of the eight categories, namely, Figure Dancing, Michelle O'Callaghan in Solo Singing and the Ballad Group. Niamh Ní Mhuircheartaigh who represented Na Gaeil in the recitation qualified and Gneeveguilla qualified in the Quiz. Commiserations, to Causeway in Instrumental Music, Fossa in the Novelty Act and Kilcummin in Set Dancing. All three clubs faced very tough competition and despite giving wonderful performances they did not qualify.

Admission to the Munster Finals is strictly by ticket only. Tickets have to be ordered in advance from Mary Sugrue at (025) 38520 before this Thursday January 19th.

A meeting of Coiste Scór Chiarraí will be held on this Thursday January 19th at the Pavilion, Austin Stack Park, Tralee at 8.00 p.m.

Club are encouraged to organise participation in Scór Sinsear. The dates and venues for these competitions will be finalised in the next few days.

CAMOGIE 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 this Saturday January 21st to introduce the game to them. Hurleys and helmets will be supplied for use on the day. Parents are most welcome and are in fact encouraged to accompany their children to see for themselves what to expect when the sport is organised at club and school level.

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.

Special guests on the day will include Cork's All-Ireland winning camogie captain, Elaine Burke, who led Cork to success in 2005, the legendary Tipperary All-Star and member of the Team of the Century, Deirdre Hughes and Tipperary All-Ireland medal winner, Sheena Howard.

Clubs are asked to promote the introductory fun day and encourage girls and parents in their parish to come to Causeway on January 21st. While the girls are out on the field learning the basics of the game, parents are encouraged to watch and also browse through the information stands that will be located in the main school hall. Stands include Camogie specific information and a detailed plan of this initiative in Kerry. There will also be information stands on Health Promotion, Local Sports Partnership, Mycro helmets and well as O'Neills Sportswear and Gaelic Gear.

Girls should bring a packed lunch and a change of clothes. Provision will be made for adverse weather conditions and the school hall will be equipped to accommodate the children if necessary.

COUNTY COMMITTEE MEETING

The January meeting of the County Committee, at which the motions submitted to Convention relating to the County Committee will be discussed, is on this Monday January 23rd at 8.00 p.m. at The Pavilion, Austin Stack Park, Tralee. The club fixtures programme for 2006 will also be discussed.

Clubs, which have elected new County Committee delegates, are reminded to forward their names and addresses to the County Secretary, Éamon Ó Súilleabháin. Correspondence for the January 23rd meeting had been forwarded to the addresses on the 2005 delegate mailing list.

AFFILITAIONS

The closing date for club affiliations is Wednesday February 1st.

ARDFERT

The semi-final of the All-Ireland Junior Club Football Championship between Kerry and Munster Champions, Ardfert and Ulster Champions, Monaghan Harps will be played on Sunday January 29th at O'Moore Park, Port Laoise. In the other semi-final Loughrea (Galway) play Ballinagore (Westmeath) on the same day.

MUNSTER UNDER 21 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

The date of the Munster Under 21 Football Championship first round game between Kerry and Cork has been brought forward three days to Wednesday March 8th at Austin Stack Park, Tralee. The winners play Tipperary in the semi-final on Saturday April 1st at The Gaelic Grounds, Limerick.

MUNSTER MINOR CHAMPIONSHIP DATES

The dates and venues for the ESB Munster Minor Football and Hurling Championships have been arranged with the Colleges fixtures now finalised. In football Kerry play Tipperary in the first round on Wednesday April 12th at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick. The winners qualify for the semi-finals on Wednesday June 28th. The losing team will play in the semi-final qualifier on Wednesday May 10th. In hurling Waterford are Kerry's opponents in the first round of Wednesday April 1st at Killarney and the losing team will play in the semi-final qualifier on Thursday April 13th.

CODE OF ETHICS

The implementation of the Code Of Ethics-Code of Best Practice in Youth Sport in the GAA in Kerry is the topic for this Wednesday's Ciarraí Abú programme on Radio Kerry from 9.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.

Kerry GAA is to the forefront in educating and implementing the Code Of Ethics-Code of Best Practice for Youth Sport, which outlines guidelines for Team Mentors, Officials, Parents/ Guardians, and Players as the respective parties involved.

The Code, produced by the GAA Coaching and Games Development Committee and approved for use by the Irish Sports Council and the Sports Council of Northern Ireland, will be discussed in full on the programme.

The County Youth Committee and the County Physical & Planning Development Committee held courses for all the clubs in the county last year for to enable the implementation of the Code Of Ethics-Code of Best Practice in Youth Sport. All personnel in Coiste Na nÓg Committees, team trainers, mentors, selectors, referees, umpires and linesmen were invited to attend these presentations.

If you have any questions on the Code please forward your questions by post or email to ciarraiabu@kerry.gaa.ie

SUPPORTERS CLUB SOCIAL

Tickets are still available for the Annual Social of the Kerry Supporters Club 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.

ABBEYDORNEY AGM

The following officers were elected at last Sunday's AGM of the Abbeydorney Hurling Club; Chairman, Gerry Treanor, Vice-Chairman, Tom Healy, Secretary, Brendan Dowling, Treasurer, Frank Egan and PRO, Kathleen Hayes.

MOTIONS FOR COUNTY COMMITTEE

The following are the motions, which are down for debate at Monday night's meeting of the County Committee.

That quality of All-Ireland tickets and Munster Final tickets given to clubs be improved.
Gniomh go Leith.

That a county player may only be held for county duty for a maximum of 14 days before Inter-County Championship. Rath Mhór.

That the guidelines for the postponement of games be made available to the management of all teams by the GAC, Kerry County Board and such guidelines to be adhered to so as to expedite the completion of County and District Board competitions. Spa.

That County Championship football be played up to 2 weeks before the All-Ireland semi-final and final. Gniomh go Leith.

That management of all Inter-County teams should have the right to pick their own captains. Rath Mhór.

That Club Championship should be played off before County Championship semi-finals.
Rath Mhór.

That clubs should consider best practice for finding Kerry's representatives in Munster Senior Club Championship. Matter to be decided by County Committee meeting in February 2006. (Above applies only when a club team does not win Senior Club Championship). Coiste Chiarraí.

That the County Board run a "B" Championship for weak minor teams. Teampall Nua.

That a Scór Officer be appointed in each club and name and contact details to be included in Eolaire. Mainistir O dTorna.

That there be a designated 2-week holiday break from all football competitions during the summer. Rath Mhór.

That the home club be allowed to keep the taking at the gate for the earlier rounds of the Novice, Junior and Intermediate Football Championship subject to a deduction as determined by Coiste Chiarraí. Baile Mhic Eilleagoid.

That no levy be imposed on clubs by Coiste Chiarraí for any fundraising purpose. Baile Mhic Eilleagoid.

HANDBALL

AGM-Kerry Handball Board
The AGM of Kerry Handball Board was held in the Meadowlands Hotel last Sunday. The good news from this meeting was that the Secretary's position was filled, as Stephen Mc Swiney [Ballymac] stepped into the void. Stephen has played handball from the age of twelve at Ballymac Handball Club, and has continued his interest from those early days. The Ballymac man, who hails from the townland of Maglass, played in an U14/15 60x30 County Team Of Six that was runner up in an All Ireland Final. Stephen has proved to be a very dependable and honest worker for his Club and County over the last few years. He is very genuine in his dealings with everyone, and always answers a request for help from everyone. Stephen is multi talented as can be seen from his refereeing duties and his coaching duties at Club Level
Tim Mc Swiney stressed that the Club structure was paramount, in the development and ongoing progression of the game at County Level. The Club Structure is the bedrock of any association, and the Club Constitution is a benchmark that all Clubs should aim for and introduce this year. Tim thanked everyone at Club and County Level for their cooperation and hard work during the year. Tom Daly produced a very detailed and informative Treasurers Report, that proved to be a resounding vote of confidence in his stewardship of the County's Finances. The success of the Ladies continues to be a source of great succor to the game at County Level, with Maria Daly, Ashley Prendeville, Karen Lawlor and the young girls from the Ghaeltacht continuing their progress. Joe Creedon, Eileen Long, Fr Kieran, Siobhan Twomey and the Constable-aka Brendan O Connor all contributed to what was one of the most interesting and frank exchange of ideas at an n AGM.
Fr Anthony O Sullivan [Glenbeigh] takes over as President from Timmy Griffin
All the rest of the positions remained the same: Positions as follows-Chairman-Tim Mc Swiney [Ballymac], Vice Chairman-Fr Kieran O
Brien [Ghaeltacht], Treasurer-Tom Daly [Ballymac], Assistant Treasurer-Noel O Connell [Tralee], Co Board Delegates-Danny Riordan and Stephen Mc Swiney, PRO-Brendan Falvey.
Assistant Secretary's in charge of the following: Siobhan Twomey-60x30 Juveniles; Eileen Long-40x20 Co Championships. Co Juvenile Selectors: Joe Creedon, Fr Kieran O Brien, John O Donnell, Christy Moriarty, Tom Daly, Brendan O Connor and Siobhan Twomey.
Munster Council Delegates: Tim Mc Swiney, Tom Daly and Brendan Falvey

40x20 Adult Co Championships
There were a number of games last week in the adult grade: Brian Mc Evoy [Glenbeigh] and Clive Counihan [Ballymac] overcame Danny Riordan [Ballymac] and Jack O Shea in two Junior B Semi Finals. Brian and Clive play the Co Final on Tuesday night in Ballymac. The girls Minor grade played on Sunday, resulted in Ashley Prendeville [Ballymac] defeating Karen Lawlor in a semi-final. Ashley then went on to take the Singles Title as she beat Catriona Casey [Ballymac] in the Final. The boys minor group resulted in Niall O Suilleabhain [Lispole] defeating Finbarr Fitzpatrick [Glenbeigh] also on Sunday last in another semi final encounter.

Ballyroe Heights 40x20 Juvenile Doubles Co Championships

After last weekends hectic schedule in the County Singles Juvenile Championships, the Ballyroe Heights-Co Juvenile 40x20 Doubles Championships ushered in the end of the Juvenile Co Finals. The 40x20 Doubles Co Championships, which is sponsored by Balllyroe Heights Hotel, took place over two days in Tralee Sports Complex. Barragh O Suilleabhain and Cathal Bambury [Dingle] took the U11 Doubles Title, while Ciaran O Coinneail and Cathal O Donnell [Tralee] won the U12 Doubles. Eoin O Mhuircheartaigh and C Mc Gearailt [Ghaeltacht] continued the West's dominance at U13 Level, and Colm O Luing/Sean O Se [Ghaeltacht] copper fastened the Dingle peninsulas grip on the younger age groups as they took the U14 Crown back West. Gary Marshall [Tralee] teamed up with Cian Mac Eoghain [Ghaeltacht] as they annexed probably the most keenly contested of all the age groups-U15 Doubles.
The U16 decider was a very keenly contested affair between Darra O Suilleabhain/Pol O Geannai [Lispole] and Cian Counihan/Niall O Shea [Ballymac]. The two boys from the West triumphed here, as they did in the U17 Final where Colm O Mhuircheartaigh [Ghaeltacht]/Pol Mac Uaidh [Ventry], overcame the Glenbeigh duo of Leon Seidler and Shane Mc Kenna.
The Ballymac sisters Cornelia Prendeville/Anna Prendeville [Ballymac] combined to take the U12 Doubles against Ciara Griffin/Laura Keane [Ballymac]. Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh/Eilis Ni Luing [Ghaeltacht] took the U16 honours, while Fiona Griffin/Hazel Prendeville [Ballymac] laid their claim to the U14 Crown. Ballymac completed the honours at U13, as Aine Casey/Nicola Horan [Ballymac] overcame Alanna Diggins/Avril Fahy [Tralee]
Eilin Ni Luing [Ghaeltacht] organised the competitions over the last two weekends. As usual she did an extremely professional job, in pulling the whole scheme together. Siobhan Twomey, Fr Kieran O Brien and Christy Moriarty ably assisted Eilin this week. Many thanks also to the referees Stephen Mc Swiney, Dermot Casey, Sharon Twomey, Fr Kieran, Christy Moriarty, Joe Creedon, Lisa Falvey who did a great job of the games.
.
Eileen Twomey Tournament /Handball Awards Night
The Eileen Twomey 40x20 Tournament for Juvenile Girls goes ahead next Sunday January 22nd in Ballymac at 12 noon. 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.

Registration Forms
Member/Player Registration Forms are out at present-All Clubs must ensure that forms are returned on time. All Tralee players contact John O Donnell re membership.

Results

Munster 40x20 Championship Qualifiers: Junior B Singles-Brian Mc Evoy [Glenbeigh] dftd Danny Riordan [Ballymac] 21-13, 21-14
Clive Counihan [Ballymac] dftd Jack O Shea [Glenbeigh] 21-11, 21
Minor Girls 40x20 Co Championships:
Semi Final; Ashley Prendeville dftd Karen Lawlor 21-17, 21-19
Final: Ashley Prendeville dftd Catriona Casey 21-7, 21-4
Minor Boys 40x20 Co Championships: Semi Final Niall O Suilleabhain [Lispole] dftd Finbarr Fitzpatrick [Glenbeigh]
Ballyroe Heights 40x20 Doubles County Juvenile Championships
Girls
U16 Doubles: Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh/Eilis Ni Luing [Ghaeltacht] dftd Edel Murphy [Glenbeigh]/Ciara Ni She [Ghaeltacht] 21-19,21-6
U14 Doubles: Fiona Griffin/Hazel Prendeville [Ballymac] dftd Niamh Moriarty/Chloe Murphy [Tralee] 15-10, 15-4.
U13 Doubles: Aine Casey/Nicola Horan [Ballymac] dftd Alanna Diggins/Avril Fahy [Tralee] 15-3,15-4
U12 Doubles: Cornelia Prendeville/Anna Prendeville [Ballymac] dftd Ciara Griffin/Laura Keane [Ballymac] 10-15, 15-5, 11-3

Boys
U17 Doubles: Colm O Mhuircheartaigh/Pol Mac Uaidh [Ghaeltacht] dftd Leon Seidler/Shane Mc Kenna [Glenbeigh] 19-21, 21-15, 11-4
U16 Doubles: Darra O Suilleabhain/Pol O Geannai dftd Cian Counihan/Niall O Shea [Ballymac] 21-17, 21-10
U15 Doubles: Gary Marshall [Tralee]/Cian Mac Eoghain [Ghaeltacht] dftd Rory O Connor/Colin Mc Gillcuddy [Glenbeigh]
U14 Doubles: Colm o Luing/Sean O Se [Ghaeltacht] dftd Jason Mc Kenna/Gavin O Grady [Glenbeigh] 15-9, 15-4
U13 Doubles: Eoin O Mhuircheartaigh/C Mc Gearailt [Ghaeltacht] dftd Brian Og Caball [Tralee]/Donal De Bruin [Lispole] 7-15, 15-13, 11-3
U12 Doubles: Ciaran O Coinneail/Cathal O Donnell [Fitzgerald Jones, Tralee] dftd Eoin Keane/Cormac Lynch [Ballymac] 15-7, 15-4
U11 Doubles: Tadgh De Bruin/Caoimhin O Beaglaich [Ventry] dftd D O Chonchuir/P O Chonchuir 15-11, 10-15, 11-9
U10 Doubles: Barragh O Suilleabhain/Cathal Bambury [Dingle] dftd F Doyle [Glenbeigh] & P O Chonchuir [Ghaeltacht] 15-7, 15-6

Fixtures/Events
Tuesday January 17-Ballymac 8pm: 40x20 Junior B Singles Co Final-Clive Counihan [Ballymac] V Brian Mc Evoy [Glenbeigh]
Wednesday January 18-Ballymac: AGM Ballymac Handball Club
Thursday January 19-Glenbeigh 8pm: 40x20 Junior B Doubles Co Final-Clive Counihan/Danny Riordan [Ballymac] V Brian Mc Evoy/Jack O Shea [Glenbeigh]
Friday January 21st County Juvenile 40x20 Trials: Tralee Sports Complex @ 6 30pm. U12 to U15 Boys
Sunday January 22nd @ 12 Noon: Eileen Twomey Tournament 40x20 Juvenile Girls Tournament
Kerry Handball Awards Night-Friday January 27 Ballyroe Heights Hotel @ 8pm
Cumann Na MBunscol Munster Finals-Tralee Ferbruary 25.

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