Kerry GAA Online

CONGRATULATIONS TO ARDFERT! - ALL-IRL CHAMPS 2006....

Congratulations to Ardfert, on adding the All-Ireland title to their Munster and County Junior Club Football Championship titles, beating the Galway and Connacht Champions, Loughrea by a single point, last Sunday at Croke Park. They won all three titles with determined performances and even when defeat seemed imminent they never gave in. They have proved on a number of occasions in the County, Munster and All-Ireland series that a game is never lost until the full time whistle has been blown.

Their campaign, including last Sunday’s All-Ireland Final, will be best remembered for the spectacular finishes and injury time dramas; the penalty saves by Dermot Dineen in the Munster Final against Erin’s Own at Knocknagree, the last second goal by John Egan in the All-Ireland semi-final against Monaghan Harps at O’Moore Park, Port Laoise, and the late injury time point by Stephen Wallace, which won the All-Ireland Final on Sunday at Croke Park.

Those injury time dramas and memorable individual performances were the material for the headlines. Behind all the headlines, each player on the panel, each member of the team management and club officer made their own individual contributions to what was a magnificent achievement for everybody. It was a fantastic team effort that made the All-Ireland dream come true. The sacrifices made, the time spent in training and preparing, have all been worthwhile as Team Captain, Shane Griffin accepted the All-Ireland Cup from GAA President, Sean Kelly.

What an unforgettable few months it has been for the Ardfert parish and community. Playing in and winning the All-Ireland Final at Croke Park has been a tremendous experience for the team, officials and supporters and last Sunday will be remembered for many years as the greatest occasion in the history of the club. A small rural club, whose players are equally proficient in both hurling and football, has achieved the ultimate accolade of winning an All-Ireland Final in Croke Park. Playing for the pride of the parish has never been so meaningful when small junior and intermediate clubs can have the opportunity of having their big day out at the finest stadium in Europe.

Ardfert and Finuge have set the standard for the Junior Championship in Kerry and now that they have both progressed to the Intermediate County Championship I’m sure they will make good use of the experience they have gained in their efforts to win that competition this year. Their All-Ireland titles will certainly be the inspiration for every club that plays in the County Intermediate and Junior Championships from now on. The reward for the County Intermediate and Junior Champions is the opportunity to play in the provincial and hopefully the All-Ireland Championships.

Ardfert and Finuge have shown the way and their achievements can act be a catalyst for every club in Kerry as they prepare for this year’s club championships. The new Provincial and All-Ireland Intermediate and Junior Club Championships have added an exciting new dimension for the county club championship winners in these grades.

Club Championships 2005

NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE

On this Sunday February 26th at 1.30 p.m. at Austin Stack Park, the Kerry Senior Hurling team play their first home game against Mayo in Division 2B of the Allianz National Hurling League. Mayo had a very good victory over Kildare last Sunday.

As expected, Kerry had a tough and challenging game against London at Ruislip last Sunday. It was a hard fought encounter from start to finish. Playing against the wind in the first half Kerry did well to have a two-point lead going into the break. Their expected dominance from playing with the wind in the second half did not materialise and even though London were reduced to fourteen players shortly after the restart Kerry found scores hard to come by. In fact London succeeded in taking the lead for a short time during the half. As the game went into its closing minutes, Kerry regained the lead and held out for a victory against sustained pressure from a fiercely determined London team.

Many Kerry people living in London came to Ruislip on Sunday to support the players. It was a wonderful opportunity for Kerry people in London to have a get together and socialise before and after the game.

Inter-County Scene

ADMISSION PRICES

The admission prices for the league games are decided by Central Council and for Division 2 entry to the stand is €10 and the Terrace is €6. The admission for students and senior citizens is €5 on production of a current and valid identification. Juveniles under the age of sixteen are admitted free.

SCÓR NA nÓG

Congratulations to the Glenflesk Figure Dancers who retained their All-Ireland Scór na nÓg title, to Michelle O’Callaghan also from Glenflesk who won the All-Ireland in Solo Singing at in the All-Ireland Finals of Scór Na nÓg held in Athlone last Saturday. Congratulations to the Gneeveguilla Quiz team, who came second.

SCÓR SINSEAR

The County Semi-finals of Scór Sinsear, which were scheduled this weekend for Abbeydorney and Gneeveguilla have been cancelled. Instead the winners of the finals held by District Boards will now compete in the County Finals at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday March 12th.

CORN UÍ MHUIRÍ

The semi-finals of the Credit Union, Corn Uí Mhuirí, Munster Colleges Senior “A” Football are on this Sunday February 26th. Tralee CBS play their old rivals, St. Flannan’s College, Ennis at Glin at 2.30 p.m. and in the other semi-final De La Salle, Macroom play St. Fachtna’s, Skibbereen.

SUPPORTERS CLUB WEEKEND TRIPS

The Kerry GAA Supporters Club are organising two overnight trips, Monaghan on March 12th and Tyrone on March 25th. Bookings for the overnight trips must be fully paid a week before travelling. Final payments, for those who have booked for the weekend away to Monaghan, must be made at 8.30 p.m. on Monday next February 27th at Ballygarry House, Tralee or at the Listowel Arms Hotel.

Overnight accommodation for the away trip to Tyrone on March 25th is at Ballyshannon. Early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

For further information contact 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.

SUPPORTERS CLUB AGM

The Annual General Meeting for the Kerry GAA Supporters Club will be held on Monday March 6th at 8.30 p.m. at Ballygarry House Hotel, Tralee.

JUNIOR ELEIGIBILITY

Eligibility restrictions for playing in the 2006 County Junior Football Leagues were agreed at Monday’s County Committee meeting. A club’s first 15 players are automatically excluded, any player who starts a Club Championship game or who plays in the Senior County Championship with a Divisional Team even as a sub is also excluded. All Senior, Under 21 and Junior County panellists are excluded. Players, who through injury or transfers were not available early in the season cannot play in the junior leagues. Clubs may apply in writing to the GAC to regrade players after Round 1 of the Club Championships.

Clubs first 15 lists must be approved by District Boards and sent to County GAC by May 1st.

COUNTY LEAGUES

The Credit Union County Senior Football League will commence on Sunday March 19th and the Keanes Super Valu County Minor Football Leagues will commence on Friday March 24th.

UNDER 21 COUNTY FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Clubs were asked to discuss the proposed format of having the County Under 21 County Football Championship confined to Divisional/Group teams only before the March meeting of the County Committee. The proposed competition would be confined to players over 18 and under 21, i.e., minors are excluded. This format was used successfully in the past and also the Divisional Under 16 Football Championship has been organised successfully for group teams only for many years.

Some club teams are not as strong as the Divisional teams and one sided games involving club teams in the early rounds of the competition is not considered to be a desirable situation. Club teams, out of necessity, need to use minor players even though the Minor County Championship is being played at the same time. It is also accepted that minor players are adequately catered for during the summer in the County Minor Football Championship, District Board Leagues and minor club championships.

SYMPATHY

We extend our sympathy to the family of the late Con Clifford, former Dr.Crokes player who won 10 O`Donoghue Cup medals with the club, and was Club chairman in 1972 and 1973. Con also won Munster medals with Kerry Minors in 1957 and Kerry Junior in 1961.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

HANDBALL

Munster 40x20 Championships-Adult/Colleges
Five Kerry players were in action last week in four grades in the Munster 40x20 Championships. Alas they were all defeated by their opponents in their respective grades. Clive Counihan [Ballymac] went out to John Noonan [Limerick] in a Junior B Singles game; Conor Hannafin [Lispole] was beaten by David Walsh [Waterford] in Minor Singles. John O Donnell [Tralee] went down in two games to Brendan Hurley [Cork] in the Silver Master B Singles grade, while the Junior Doubles pairing of John Joe Quirke [Glenbeigh]/Raymond Griffin [Lispole] gave way to Rafferty/O Dwyer [Cork]
Dingle CBS were the sole representatives in the 40x20 Munster Boys Colleges during the week. The First Year Doubles pairing of Sean O Se/Adam O Flannuara, captured the Munster Title after a gruelling series of games. The Dingle pair accounted for a very strong Dungarvan pairing in the Semi Final, and overcame an equally strong partnership from Clare in the Final. It was a great result for Sean and Adam; Adam is a relative newcomer to the game while Sean has been playing for a few years now. Colm O Luing and Pol O Geanai beat a fancied Dungarvan side in a Semi-Final cliffhanger. They went down to Vaughan/Edbrook [Clare] in the Final. Dara O Suilleabhain [Junior Singles]; Colm O Mhuircheartaigh/Conchuir O Hannafin [Intermediate Doubles] and Adrian Rayle [First Year Singles], all went out in their first round games.

US Collegiates
Maria Daly takes part in the US Collegiates this week in Texas; games are due to kick off on Wednesday February 22nd. There are one hundred and nine girls entered for the Ladies Section. Courtney Peixoto [US]-last years winner, will be the no one seed in the Ladies Open. Maria should be in the top four, as she reached the Semi-Final last where she was beaten by Samantha England.

Feile Na Gael
Forms are out for Feile Na Gael, which will be held in Cork this year. This is an U14 Team Competition; two sets of doubles with four to play plus one sub. There is plenty of talent at this level in the County, so Clubs should give it a go as games will be held in Cork. There are competitions for boys and girls-Form to be returned to Peter Dennehy by March 21st

Foundation Coaching Course
It is intended to hold a Foundation Coaching Course over the next two weeks. Clubs are asked to identify as many people as possible to take advantage of this course, as it is a great opportunity to get more people involved with juveniles. More details will be available next week-cost of course E20.

Cumann Na mBunscoil-Munster Finals
Next weekend-Saturday February 25 all roads lead to Kerry for the Primary Scholl Handballers. The Cumann Na mBunscoil Munster Finals are set for Tralee and Ballymac. Girl’s games go ahead in Ballymac, while Boys will take place in Tralee.
Kerry will be represented in all eight Competitions-there is a good spread of players from the various Clubs, and we wish them all the best of luck.
Games start at 11am-all players are asked to be at their respective venues at 10 30am

Reminder
Clubs are reminded to return their Registration Forms as soon as possible. Also any money outstanding for Awards Night and Programme Adds-please return ASAP.
Inter Provincial Girls Team Of Ten Championships are on March 5th-Siobhan Twomey is taking a well earned break from organizing this event at County and Provincial Level. Siobhan and Tom Daly have done a great job over the years in coordinating this-and we thank them for their time and effort. There are a large number of girls playing at present in the County. Anyone interested in taking on this role-possibly with another person, should contact their Clubs as soon as possible.

Munster Cumann Na mBunscoil Finalists

Girls
U13 Singles-Ciara Griffin [Nohoval NS]
U13 Doubles-Nicola Horan/Laura Keane [Clogher NS]
U11 Singles: Katie Ni Mhuirceartaigh [Scoil Naomh Eirc]
U 11 Doubles: Brid Ni Chonchuir/Eiblis Ni Chonchuir [SME]

Boys
U13 Singles: Eoin Keane [O Brennan NS]
U13 Doubles: Ciaran O Coinneail/Eoghain O Laoire [SME]
U11 Singles: Barra O Suilleabhain [Dingle CBS]
U 11 Doubles: Marc O Connor/Cathal Bambury [Dingle CBS]

Results

Munster 40x20 Championships

Thursday February 16-Cappagh
Junior B Singles Quarter Final: John Noonan [Limerick] dftd Clive Counihan [Ballymac] 21-18, 21-18
Friday February 17-Liscarroll
Minor Singles: David Walsh [Waterford] dftd Conor Hannafin [Lispole] 21-6, 21-4
Cathal Hannon [Limerick] WO Niall O Suilleabhain [Lispole] SCR-Injured
Saturday February 18-Liscarroll
Silver Master B Singles Semi Final: Brendan Hurley [Cork] dftd John O Donnell [Tralee] 21-12, 21-15
Sunday February 19: Cappagh
Junior Doubles Semi Final: F Rafferty/A O Dwyer [Cork] dftd Raymond Griffin [Lispole]/John Joe Quirke [Glenbeigh] 21-12, 21-16

Munster 40x20 Colleges Championships-Boys

First Year Singles: John Fahy (Tulla) dftd Adrian Rayle [An Daingean] 15-7,15-12
First Year Doubles Semi-Final: Sean Ó Sé/Adam Ó Flannúra [An Daingean] dftd C Kindregan/B McCullough St. Augustine’s 15-9,15-13
First Year Doubles Final: Sean Ó Sé/Adam Ó Flannúra dftd Fergal O Donaghue/David McEnerney [Clare] 15-13,15-14
Junior Singles-First Round
Niall Malone [Clare] dftd Dara O Suilleabhain [CBS-Daingean] 21-14, 21-18

Junior Doubles Semi-final: Colm Ó Lúing/Pol Ó Géanaí [An Daingean] dftd J Power/ P Galvin [St. Augustines] 14-21,21-9,11-8
Junior Doubles Final: T Vaughan/S Edbrook [Clare] dftd Colm Ó Lúing/Pol Ó Géanaí 21-9,21-6
Intermediate Doubles: Dara Hardy/Donal Kent [Clare] dftd Colm Ó Muircheartaigh/Conchuir Ó Hainiféin [An Daingea] 18-21,21-9,11-2

Fixtures

February 22-27-US Collegiates: Texas

February 25th-Saturday: Cumann Na mBunscoil Munster Finals
Girls in Ballymac: Boys in Tralee-Starting @ 11am

Munster 40x20 Championships

February 25th-Saturday @ 6pm: Venues-Open
Junior B Doubles Quarter Final: Clive Counihan/Danny Riordan [Ballymac] V Cork
Junior Singles Quarter Final: John Joe Quirke [Lispole] V Jerry Guiney [Cork]
Junior Singles Quarter Final: Noel Raymond [Tralee] V Cork OR Tipperary
Diamond Master B Singles Final: Declan Ryan [Tralee] V Tipperary.

February 25th-Saturday @ 6pm: Venue-Tralee
Silver Master B Doubles Quarter Final: John O Donnell [Tralee]/Joe Creedon [Lispole] V Sean Daly/Jack O Brien [Cork]

: : Back to Top : : : Full list of Articles : :