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WEEKLY
NEWS
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Weekly Kerry GAA Scene
by
Co. PRO Willie O'Connor
29th June 2006
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MCNAMEE AWARDS... The GAA in Kerry is very honoured to among the recipients of two of the eight McNamee Awards in last week’s announcement from Croke Park of the 2005 winners. These awards are presented annually by the GAA in recognition of outstanding contributions made by individuals in the area of communications. Pride of place goes to John Barry, former Sports Editor of The Kerryman, recipient of the Hall of Fame Award. This is due recognition for his outstanding journalism and editorial skills with The Kerryman for over 40 years. John’s service and contribution to Gaelic Games in the county has been invaluable and honest. His honesty and integrity as a reporter, journalist and editor has always been greatly appreciated. All of his reports and columns were written in the best tradition of ethical journalism. John has long been associated with the GAA both as a player and journalist, winning County Football and Hurling Championships with Austin Stacks, including an All-Ireland Senior Club medal. He also played intercounty hurling with Kerry. His citation reads - John played hurling and football for Austin Stacks in Tralee and covered Gaelic Games for The Kerryman for over 40 years, many as Sports Editor until his retirement last year. Widely respected among his media colleagues, John joins a distinguished list of former winners of the Hall of Fame Award including Micheál Ó Hehir, Seán Óg Ó Ceallacháin, Paddy Downey, Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Sean Kilfeather and Mick Dunne. Our second award is The Special Merit Award for our annual publication of the Eolaire. This year’s Eolaire is the 16th edition and its successful compilation is due to the collective efforts of Rúnaí, Eamon O’Sullivan, PRO, Willie O’Connor and Kate, Catherine and Breda at the Austin Stack Park Office. The painstaking work of compiling the key contact names from each club during January and February, the presentation of the master fixtures plan for club fixtures in the two centre pages, the County League and championship fixtures, the sub-committees, championship and league regulations etc is carefully put together to form a handbook for everybody involved in Gaelic Games in Kerry. The citation reads - Since 1988, the Kerry County Board have annually produced an outstanding Information Booklet for officials and supporters of Gaelic games in the Kingdom. The comprehensive publication contains contact details for members of the county board, officers in all of the county’s clubs and details of sub-committees and their responsibilities. It also includes information on County byelaws, football, hurling and minor board fixtures, championship dates and regulations. 3,000 copies of the booklet are distributed free of charge annually to GAA clubs, members of the media, referees and officials in the county. There are eight recipients of the 2005 Awards. The six other award winners are: Best Website - Fintona GAA Club, Tyrone http://gaa.fintona.org Best County Final Programme - Clare Hurling and Football Finals, Best Local Radio Programme - Clare FM for Jamesie (presenter Mike McCartney), Best County Yearbook – Tipperary, Best Club Media Presentation - Castlewellan, Co Down, Best Article in a National or Provincial Newspaper - Damian Lawlor. MUNSTER FOOTBALL FINAL TICKET SCHEME Members of the Kerry County Board 2003-2008 Ticket Purchase Scheme are reminded that this Friday June 30th is the closing date for receipt of their applications for tickets under this scheme for the Bank Of Ireland Munster Football Final. With the limited seating accommodation at Fitzgerald Stadium members of the scheme are reminded that their entitlement is one ticket per unit. Applications should be addressed to Éamon Ó’Súilleabháin, Rúnaí, PO Box 125, The Pavilion, Austin Stack Park, Tralee. A stamped addressed envelope should accompany the application and the cost of the Stand Ticket (€30). Members of the scheme who wish to apply in person at the County Board Office should also have a written application with them when they call and have an addressed envelope marked “To be collected.” Tickets allocated to the scheme will be reallocated to the clubs and other units after the closing date. We urge our supporters once again to show their support for the Kerry team by proudly showing the county colours. We are starting to see some flags and banners on display but more Green and Gold needs to seen in every town, village and in rural areas as well in the weeks and days before the big game. CHRISTY RING CUP Kerry lost narrowly to Wicklow in their second game of the Christy Ring Cup at Arklow last Saturday. Our next game is at home to Mayo on Saturday July 8th at Austin Stack Park. The players who proudly wore the Kerry jersey on Saturday last are to be admired for their willingness to wear the Kerry jersey in spite of the difficulties that have surrounded the team in the past three weeks. We have lost our two games in the competition by narrow margins. These are games we might have won had we been in a position to select the team from a full complement of players. The problems of the Senior Hurling team are not without a solution. Every problem has a solution; every difficulty can be overcome but only when everybody rows in the same direction. What is at stake is creating a positive image for hurling in the county among the young people who are going to be coached in the skills at our Summer Camps over the coming weeks. How many of them will be impressed by the current media coverage of the Kerry hurling? The Christy Ring Cup is a championship that is ideally structured for our level and standard. To achieve that, we need our senior intercounty team performing well in the competition. A successful campaign in the Christy Ring Cup is essential for hurling to progress and expand at under age level. Kids need heroes to admire and try to emulate their skill level. This will give our young players who are learning and practicing the skills of hurling in the clubs, schools and summer camps the desire and ambition to represent their county from under 14 right up to senior. The coaching structures are in place, grant aided by Munster Council, Central Council and the Irish Sports Council. There has to be a positive return from this investment. UNDER 16 INTERCOUNTY HURLING The Kerry Hurling team play Mayo in the first round of the All-Ireland “B” Under 16 Hurling Championship on this Saturday at 3.30 p.m. at Cusack Park, Ennis. The fixtures for the All-Ireland Minor “B and the Under 21 “B” All-Ireland were not available at the time of writing. The minor team play Muskerry in the Cork Premier League on Monday at Kanturk at 7.30 p.m. COUNTY FOOTBALL LEAGUE Kerins O’Rahillys are top of the Division 1 table of the Credit Union County Senior Football League after their Round 5 victory against Kilcummin. Laune Rangers who had a good win over St. Mary’s are in second place while Rathmore have dropped to share third place after their defeat by Listowel Emmets. Dr. Crokes are in joint third after they shared the points with Austin Stacks. In this round Kerins’ O’Rahillys travel to Gneeveguilla on Saturday night and Laune Rangers travel to Rathmore. Austin Stacks make the long journey south to play St. Mary’s. On Friday night Kilcummin host Castleisland Desmonds and on Sunday Dr. Crokes host Listowel Emmets. In Division 2 there were victories for Dingle and Annascaul in the last round to consolidate their joint leadership but since that Annascaul assumed the top position on their own with a back game victory against Finuge. Waterville’s victory over Beaufort puts them into joint third place with Finuge who defeated St. Michael’s/Foilmore in Round 5. There are four games down for decision on Saturday night with the leaders, Annascaul travelling to St. Michael’s/Foilmore. Castlegregory host Glenflesk, Spa are at home to Currow and Skellig Rangers host Dingle. On Sunday Beaufort are at home to Finuge and Ardfert host Dromid Pearses. In Division 3 Beale have gone into the lead since the last round was played after picking up four points in back games from Tarbert and John Mitchels. Tarbert are now in second place with Legion, John Mitchels and Castlegregory sharing third place. Renard beat Lisople in another back game played last Sunday. All the games in this division are on Saturday night with the leaders, Beale at home to Renard, Tarbert are a way to John Mitchels, St. Pat’s host Valentia, Castlegregory are at home to Glenflesk, Kenmare host Ballymacelligott and Lispole are at home to Legion. In Division 5 Ballylongford and Knocknagoshel are still unbeaten at the top of the table but Cordal’s draw with Listry in the last round saw them drop to third on the table. The two top teams have away games in this round on Saturday night with Ballylongford away to Asdee and Knocknagoshel away to Fossa. Cordal are away to St. Senan’s on Sunday. RESULTS: Short match reports can be faxed to the above fax number or e-mailed to prokygaa@gofree.indigo.ie at any time on Saturday night or on Sunday. They can also be phoned after 8 o'clock on Sunday night. These reports need only be sixty or seventy words long and should include the half-time score and the important scores and scorers of each half as well as any incident that was of significance in the game, such as a penalty or an important save by the goalkeeper. The full-time score, however, should be phoned immediately after the game in order to meet the deadlines for the national papers and radio. A number of clubs did not forward match reports for their Round 5 games so let’s hope that for this round there will be an improvement in the return of reports. The club PRO’s are only asked to provide match reports on six occasions during the playing season. MINOR & UNDER 21 CO.CHAMPIONSHIPS The winners of this Tuesday’s semi-finals of the Keane’s Super Valu County Minor “B” Championship football championship will meet in the final on Tuesday next July 4th. The winners of this final will also qualify for Round 1 of the championship proper, which will commence on Tuesday July 11th. In the Under 21 County Football Championship Laune Rangers, Listowel Emmets, An Ghaeltacht, West Kerry and Austin Stacks play in the preliminary round on this Thursday June 29th at 7.30 p.m. Extra time will be played if necessary and the first round will be on either July 6th or 12th. South Kerry and East Kerry got a bye into the quarterfinals. Results should be phoned in by the home club to the County PRO (066) 71 24754 or faxed to (066) 71 81040 immediately after the game finishes. COUNTY HURLING LEAGUES Round 3 of the Division 3 County Junior Hurling League is on Wednesday July 5th at 8.00 p.m. and continues on successive Wednesdays until the seven rounds are completed. Results should be phoned in to the County PRO (066) 71 24754 or faxed to (066) 71 81040 immediately after the game finishes. JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUES Round 6 in Divisions 1, 2 and 3 of the Credit Union County Junior Football Leagues will be played at 8.00 p.m. on this Friday June 30th. It has reached the quarterfinal stages in the other divisions. In Division 4 the quarterfinals will be played on Friday July 7th at 7.30 p.m. with extra time to be played if necessary. A back game on this Friday night between Churchill and Finuge will decide the quarterfinalists. In Division 5 two quarterfinals are down for decision on this Friday night. Waterville are at home to Keel and Dromid Pearses are at home to Skellig Rangers. Both games are at 7.30 p.m. with extra time if necessary. The two remaining quarterfinals will be played on Friday July 7th after the result of this Friday’s back game between Glenflesk and Kenmare decides the competing teams. The four quarterfinals in Division 6 are on this Friday at 7.30 p.m. with extra time. Clounmacon play Kilgarvan at Blennerville, Duagh host Firies,, Fossa are at home to Knocknagoshel and Templenoe are at home to Cordal. CÚL CAMPS From Monday July 3rd to Friday July 7th next week the 2006 VHI Cúl Camps commence with the football camps at Austin Stack Park Tralee, Listowel and Waterville while the hurling/camogie venues are Causeway and Kenmare. The camps are from 10.00 a.m. in the morning up until 2.30 p.m. in the afternoon. If you have not registered yet but would like to still join the camps then registration will be taken the morning of the camps. The camps will include a wide range of football, hurling and camogie activities, providing children with learning experiences in an environment of fun and enjoyment. All ranges of football and camogie skills will be taught. Children will take part in mini leagues, fun games and a variety of skill-based activities. SPECIALIST SKILLS PRACTICE The Kerry Coaching and Games Development Committee are organising a Specialist Skills (Free-taking and Goalkeeping) Workshop for players on Saturday 8th July at 12 noon in Austin Stack Park, Tralee (Registration 11.45am). The workshop will involve working with goalkeepers and free-takers on developing their skills and improving their game. As both goalkeepers and free takers are very specialized skills this clinic will help the players with their technique and training methods. All clubs have young players who are goalkeepers and free-takers who would benefit hugely from attending this workshop. The Free-taking workshop will be given by 2004 Kerry captain Dara Ó Cinnéide. Dara will work with the players on all areas of free taking. Qualified goalkeeping coach, Mick O’Shea, will give the goalkeeping workshop. Mick has worked with players at all levels and is hugely experienced. He will work with the players on their technique and has excellent ideas on training methods and training drills. The workshop is open to all players between the ages of 14 and 18. The workshop will also be open to coaches who wish to expand their knowledge on coaching these skills. Coaches will benefit from seeing the specialized training methods being used to develop players as goalkeepers and free-takers. The cost of the workshop is €20 per person for players and coaches. If players or coaches in your club wish to attend could they please fill out the enclosed application form and return to Coaching Office, The Pavilion, Austin Stack Park, Tralee before Wednesday 5th July. CLUB JERSEYS HANDBALL Three Kerry Teams took part in the Inter Club 60x30 Munster Juvenile Team Championships, which took place last week at. Ballymac had two teams taking the court; U13-Eoin Keane, Aine Casey, Ciara Griffin, Cornelia Prendeville, Cormac Lynch, Ritchie Lombard: U15- Brian Keane, William Prendeville, Wayne Teahan, Fiona Griffin, Hazel Prendeville, Brian Casey. Ghaeltacht had one team taking part U15- Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh, Cian Mac Eoin, Eanna Mac Gearailt, Caoimhin O Se, and Sean O Se. An Ghaeltacht put in some great performances, to reach the U15 Final. They beat Ballymac in the Semi Final, where they gave a very polished performance against their County neighbours. Cappagh awaited them in the Final, where the Limerick outfit proved to be too strong for the West Kerry players. It was a great achievement for the Ghaeltacht, when you consider that only two of their players had previous experience in the big court-Louise and Caoimhin. Padraig O Carroll from Cappagh was the difference between the two teams-he is an outstanding player in every facet of the game. Every one of the Ghaeltacht players played extremely well Eanna, Sean and Cian were very comfortable and they gelled very well. Sean O Se in particular caught the eye, he is not the biggest player physically but he has a heart as big as Mount Brandon. In the 13 Plate Final Ballymac met a very strong physical team from Mallow. They put up a brave fight, but were always playing catch up against their Cork neighbours. Eoin and Cornelia were 30-15 down after their two games; Eoin was not his usual self as he came down with a bug the night before. Cornelia has seldom played better as she covered every inch of the court, and proved more than able for her oppononents. Aine and Ciara held their own in their two games, winning the first 15-13 and losing the second by the same margin. This was the first taste of Provincial action for two of the younger players from Ballymac-Cormac Lynch and Ritchie Lombard. This is the first year of this competition-it was brought in to try and encourage more players to take part in the big alley. There was a big entry from Munster-with sixteen teams entering in the u13 and u15 grade. It proved to be very successful on its\maiden voyage, and hopefully we will see all these players taking part in the 60x30 Juvenile Championships later this year. Tom O Connor 60x30 Tournament Handball Summer Camps Inter Club 60x30 Munster Juvenile Team Championships 2006 First Round Semi Finals/Finals-Broadford Saturday June 24th U13 Plate Final: Mallow B dftd Ballymac 56-43 U13 Final: Mallow A dftd Ballydesmond 60-36 U15 Semi Finals U15 Final: Cappagh dftd Ghaeltacht 59-47 Teams as follows: U15
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