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WEEKLY
NEWS
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Weekly Kerry GAA Scene
by
Co. PRO Willie O'Connor
27th April 2006
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LEAGUE WIN IS IDEAL PREPARATION FOR CHAMPIONSHIP... Congratulations to the Kerry Senior Football Team and team management on their magnificent victory in last Sunday’s Allianz National Football League Division 1 Final against Galway at The Gaelic Grounds, Limerick. After a dour first half in which both teams had difficulty finding the target and with Kerry trailing by three points going into the half time break the expectations for a more open second half were extremely low. But the second half of the game was a joy to watch with the spectators both partisans and neutrals alike treated to an exhibition of top quality intensive football by the Kerry players. Although the exchanges were not as intense as a championship encounter nevertheless what it may have lacked in championship intensity was clearly compensated by the quality of football that was played. The Kerry scores were spectacular in their execution and left an indelible mark on those fortunate to be in The Gaelic Grounds to witness them. The league final was ideal preparation for the championship campaign ahead which for us will get underway in just over three weeks when we meet Waterford in the First Round at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney on Sunday May 21st. The league campaign has provided the team management with the opportunity to inject a new spirit into the team and to explore different options and strategies, which are a vital part of the preparations for the championship. The quality of the football played by Kerry during the league has been exciting, invigorating and at times frustrating as different options were explored. The different options that were explored will hopefully stand to us in the championship when more intense and highly charged games lie ahead. Playing in the latter stages of the league and against teams of a very high calibre has come as a tremendous boost to the players and team management as it has given them the opportunity to consolidate and build on the achievements made in the league rounds. Last Sunday’s final tested each and every player and after GAA President Nickey Brennan presented our captain, Declan O’Sullivan with the National League trophy, Declan thanked the players and the Kerry supporters for their efforts during the campaign. NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE FINAL Kerry play Dublin on this Sunday at 1.30 p.m. in the Allianz National Hurling League Division 2 Final at Semple Stadium, Thurles. The Division 1 Final between Limerick and Kilkenny will be played at 3.30 p.m. at the same venue. Reaching the final is a great achievement for the team and the Team Management of Jerry Molyneaux, Mike McKenna, Mike Slattery and Timmy Weir as well as the training expertise of John O’Keeffe, Ger Power and the recent coaching sessions under Paudie Butler. Kerry had a narrow one-point victory over Mayo in last Sunday’s semi-final, Kerry’s inspirational captain Michael Conway missed the game through injury and that was a serious blow to the team’s hopes prior to the game. Nevertheless they overcame this setback with a spirited team performance that did themselves and the county proud. The game was one of high intensity and the quality of hurling played was excellent as the full time score suggests. The loyal group of about fifty Kerry supporters who travelled to Ennis for the game were treated to a fantastic game of hurling by two very well prepared teams. The hard work and training put in by the Kerry players under John O’Keeffe and Ger Power during the winter has paid off handsomely and their recent coaching sessions from GAA Director of Hurling, Paudie Butler stood to them as they edged out Mayo in the closing stages of this highly charged game. Let’s hope that the team will get better support for Sunday’s final and we urge our supporters, especially those who attend the County Hurling Championship games in such big numbers to travel to Thurles on Sunday to encourage and urge on the players. AIB COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP The first round games of the AIB County Senior Football Championship are scheduled for the weekend of May 7th. On Saturday May 6th there is a double bill at Austin Stack Park when Kerins O’Rahillys play John Mitchels at 6.15 p.m. followed by Laune Rangers and Austin Stacks at 7.30 p.m. Also on the same evening Rathmore host Milltown/Castlemaine at 7.00 p.m. On the afternoon of Sunday May 7th there is a double bill at Listowel when Shannon Rangers play Mid Kerry at 2.00 p.m. followed at 3.30 p.m. by Feale Rangers and St. Brendan’s. Also, on the same afternoon at 2.30 p.m., West Kerry play Kenmare play at Annascaul and St. Kieran’s play East Kerry at Currow. At 7.00 p.m. on Sunday May 7th Kilcummin host Dingle. COUNTY LEAGUE The Round 4 games of the Credit Union County Senior Football League were played last Saturday night. 22 of the 30 games were played and the 8 games that were postponed were called off for very valid reasons. Although the tables will be somewhat lopsided until the back games are played there is still a strong indication of the teams in form at present as the first round of the AIB County Senior Football Championship and the first round of the Castleisland Co-Op Mart County Intermediate, Junior and Novice Championship are imminent over the next few weeks. Despite Dr. Crokes having a game in hand to play against Laune Rangers they have joined Kerins O’Rahillys and Listowel Emmets at the top of the Division 1 table after their victory in this round against St. Mary’s. In Division 2 Dingle after a good home win in this round against Currow have joined Annascaul at the top of the table with Annascaul’s top of the table clash with Finuge being among the games postponed. In Division 3 Tarbert, who had full points going into this round. had to settle for a share of the points when they drew with Lispole. Keel are now the only team with maximum points as they continue to press hard for promotion from Division 4. In this round they defeated Ballydonoghue. Na Gaeil and Tousist are also making solid progress with their respective wins against Brosna and Moyvane. In Division 5 Ballylongford and Knocknagoshel are still unbeaten at the top of the table but in this round the two leading teams had to settle for a share of the points when they drew with Fossa and Cromane respectively. Some of the back games will be played over this Bank Holiday weekend and the next full round is on the weekend of June 4th when the Round 5 games will be played. COUNTY HURLING LEAGUES The Round 2 games in Division 1 of the Credit Union County Senior Hurling League will be played at 7.30p.m. on Tuesday May 2nd. The Round 2 games in Division 2 of the Credit Union County Hurling League will be played on Wednesday May 3rd at 7.30 p.m. This year there are two groups in the division and the top team in each group at the end of the league will qualify for the semi-finals. The second and third placed teams from each group will cross over and play in the quarterfinals for the two remaining semi-final places. COUNTY MINOR LEAGUES The Round 5 games in Keane’s Super Valu County Minor Football Leagues will be played this Friday at 7.00 p.m. and games that were postponed in the earlier rounds must be played on Bank Holiday Monday May 1st at 7.30 p.m. The semi-finals are scheduled for Friday May 5th and the finals on Friday May 12th. Results should be phoned in to the County PRO (066) 71 24754 or faxed to (066) 71 81040 immediately after the game finishes. Round 3 in Division 1 of the Keane’s Super Valu County Minor Hurling league will be played on this Sunday at 12 noon. The Division 2 Semi-final between Abbeydorney and Causeway will be played on this Saturday at 7.00 p.m. at Lixnaw. Extra time will be played if necessary. The semi-final winners will play Kenmare/Kilgarvan in the final. CONGRESS On Friday and Saturday last Kerry proudly and successfully hosted the delegates from every county in Ireland and from our overseas units at the 2006 GAA Congress held in The Great Southern Hotel, Killarney. It was a great honour for us in Kerry to host this year’s Congress and with the county’s first ever Uachtarán, Sean Kelly, presiding for the last time of his three-year term of office it was a very special occasion for the GAA in Kerry. The delegates were more than pleased with the arrangements made and they have gone back to their counties and to the overseas units with very pleasant and happy memories of their short stay in the Kingdom. Sean Kelly’s Presidential Address on Saturday was a triumph for him. He was given a standing ovation and the content of the address demonstrated how he provided strong and effective leadership during his term of office. Nickey Brennan was installed as Uachtarán at the closing session and he outlined his priorities for his term of office. We wish him every success in this very challenging time for the GAA and we can be confident that he will give strong, inspirational and effective leadership for the next three years. On Saturday night there was a very large attendance at the Congress Gala Banquet at which acclaimed traditional musician, Liam O'Connor and his International Show provided the entertainment. The Guest of Honour was the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, John O’Donoghue. The Banquet and the entertainment was regarded as the best ever by those present. SCÓR SINSEAR ALL-IRELAND FINALS Congratulations to the Set Dancing Group from Spa who once again retained their All-Ireland Scór Sinsear title at the finals held at the INEC, Killarney last Saturday. The Figure Dancing Group from Glenflesk performed with distinction and they had very strong opposition in this section. Congratulations also to the musicians who accompanied them, to East Kerry Scór Officer, Ann Mangan and to everybody associated with our newly crowned All-Ireland Champions. We congratulate not just the competitors who performed on stage but also those who worked so hard behind the scenes to make it possible, musicians, teachers, costume makers and Scór officers. SCÓR NA bPÁISTÍ The dates for the District Finals of Scór na bPáistí have been arranged for this weekend. Áras Phadraig, Killarney is the venue on this Friday 28th April, at 7.30 p.m. for East Kerry 1, Castleisland, Kenmare and South Kerry. On this Saturday 29th April, Keel Community Centre is the venue at 7.30p.m.for East Kerry 2, West Kerry, Mid Kerry & Tralee and on this Sunday 30th April at Abbeydorney at 2.30p.m.for North Kerry Hurling, North Kerry Football & St Brendan’s. The winners of the District Finals will qualify for the County Final on Sunday May 7th at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney. Scór Na bPáistí is a competition solely for National Schools and the categories are the same as those in Scór Na nÓg; Figure Dancing, Solo Singing, Recitation, Ballad Group, Question Time, Novelty Act and Set Dancing. All schools in the county were encouraged to get involved. District Scór Officers were available to give the schools any assistance they needed with the competition. COUNTY COMMITTEE MEETING The May meeting of the County Committee will be held at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney on Tuesday next May 2nd at 8.30 p.m. ARDFERT NIGHT AT THE DOGS Ardfert Football Club and St. Brendan’s Hurling Club have a combined Benefit Night at the Kerry Greyhound Stadium, Tralee on Saturday April 29th. Great racing is anticipated as well plenty spot prizes including a weekend for two people at Jury’s Hotel. The All-Ireland Junior Club Championship medals and the County Under 21 Hurling Championship medals will be presented. Tickets are €8 form club officers and players. SYMAPTHY We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Tony O’Connor, Valentia, and to Mary Jo Coffey, Beaufort on the death of her mother. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamnacha dilse. Community Games Co Finals The Community Games County Handball Finals took place over two days last weekend in Tralee Sports Complex. Two Finals in the boys and girls sections, proved to be very tight affairs with the honours even between Tralee and Ballymac. The U13 Boys Final turned out to be a very close affair, between two Tralee Teams. Marian Park edged out Oakpark in a thriller, on the score line of 80-65. There were a lot of new faces involved in both Teams-the line outs were as follows: Team Championships The County’s U14/15 Team Of Six traveled to Kingscourt on Easter Monday last, to take part in the All Ireland Series of the Team Championships. The Kerry lads won the Munster Title, in pretty convincing fashion and were playing very well going into these Finals. Hopes were high that would be in the shake up come the Final, but they met Kilkenny in the Semi Finals and found the Black and Amber Team too strong for them on the day. The Leinster Team came out on top on the score line of 79-61-the Kerry boys could have been closer. These young bunch of players did their County proud-they did their best on the day and fought all the way to the end. . It was the first time for these young lads to play in an All Ireland Semi Final, and the experience will stand to them over the coming years. Eileen Long, Christy Moriarty, Ger Mc Namara and John O Donnell put in a lot of time with this Team over the preceding weeks. Thanks to everyone concerned for all their help and hard work. Very few players reach an All Ireland in their lifetime, these young boys can fell proud of their efforts. They proved that they could stand shoulder to shoulder with the best of them, at Provincial and National Level. Foundation Coaching Course Results All Ireland 40x20 Juvenile Team Championships [Kingscourt]-Semi Finals/Finals- Monday 17 April Kilkenny:(Keith Bourke, Keith Clifford, Pauric Maher, John Power, David Delahunty, Donal O’Farrell) dft Kerry: [Colin Mc Gillycuddy, Rory O Connor, Jason Mc Kenna, Gavin Grady, [Glenbeigh], Sean O Se, Colm O Luing [Ghaeltacht], Fergal Mc Namara, Gary Marshall [Tralee] 79-61 Girls Club Team Of Four Championships-Clooney [Monday 17 April] U13 Boys Final: Marian Park dftd Oakpark 80-65 U13 Girls-Ballymac: Cornelia Prendeville, Nicola Horan, Ciara Griffin, Laura Keane, and Anna Prendeville
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