Kerry GAA Online

KERRY AND CORK ADVANCE TO MUNSTER SF FINAL...

There were mixed fortunes for our Senior and Junior Football teams at Fraher Field, Dungarvan last Sunday. The senior team, as expected, had a very comfortable victory against Waterford, while the junior team tried hard against a physically stronger Clare team but as the game progressed Clare battled hard to earn a three-point victory.

Cork had a comfortable win at the finish against Tipperary in the other senior semi-final played at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick. So once again we face the Rebel County, in the Bank Of Ireland Munster Football Final at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney on Sunday July 1st at 2.00 p.m. and in the curtain raiser the minor teams of Kerry and Cork face each other in the ESB Munster Minor Football Championship Final at 12.00 p.m.

The preparations will begin in earnest in the two counties this week. Kerry will shed any hints of complacency as a result of last Sunday’s easy win. They will be mindful of their recent hard fought victory over Cork in the league and not forgetting the tough and strong challenge put forward by Cork in last year’s provincial final and replay. Cork will be defending their Munster title and as reigning champions they are confident of repeating last year’s tenacious displays against Kerry in both the drawn game at Fitzgerald Stadium and in the replay at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The performances of Padraig Reidy and Killian Young in defence and Mícheál Quirke at midfield was very satisfying from a Kerry perspective in last Sunday’s semi-final. It is not easy to replace players of the calibre and experience of Seamus Moynihan and Mike McCarthy in defence. All six defenders can be very pleased with last Sunday’s “new look” Kerry defence. Padraig and Killian will have tougher challenges to face from now on but with such a confidence boost gained from their performances last Sunday, where they certainly looked the part, they will be equal to those challenges that will lie ahead in their upcoming games in the championship.

Cork will leave no stone unturned in their build up as they start preparations for their stated aim of not only retaining the Munster title but to be strong All-Ireland contenders. Their successful Under 21 panels of the past four years have provided top class players who have successfully gelled into the senior team and panel this year.

Kerry and Cork have become very familiar with each others style of play and no doubt Billy Morgan in the Cork camp and Pat O’Shea in the Kerry camp will impress on their players that this Munster Final is one that will only be won with each an every player giving their all for the county jersey.

The stage is set for another great battle between the Kingdom and the Rebel County, battles that have thrilled their respective supporters with their whole hearted and highly motivated performances in previous Munster Championship deciders.

As the build up for the Munster Final begins we urge our supporters to show their support for the Kerry team by proudly showing the county colours in every town, village and in rural areas as well. Flags and banners ought to be displayed everywhere. Other counties have done this and the displays of colour really build up a great atmosphere in the weeks and days before the big game.

In the border regions near the Kerry and Cork border, where the rivalry will be most intense, we can expect a really a great atmosphere and good friendly banter in the next few weeks.

The Munster Final is an ALL TICKET game. Admission to the Stand and the terraces will be by ticket only. Tickets will be allocated to the Ticket Scheme members, County Committee delegates, clubs and other units as soon as they become available.

MUNSTER UNDER 21 HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Kerry have yet another trip to Dungarvan on this Wednesday June 6th, this time we play Waterford in the first round of the Munster Under 21 Hurling Championship at 7.30 p.m. at Fraher Field.

AIB COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

This weekend the Round 3 games of the AIB County Senior Football Championship will be played with games on Saturday evening, Sunday afternoon and Sunday evening.

The programme gets under way on Saturday evening with a double bill at Austin Stack Park, Tralee. At 6.45 p.m. Austin Stacks face East Kerry and at 8.00 p.m. Kerins O’Rahillys play local rivals, St. Brendan’s. Meanwhile, at Dingle’s Páirc An Ághasaigh the reigning three in a row Champions, South Kerry play Dingle at 7.30 p.m.

On Sunday afternoon at Listowel, there is a double bill commencing at 2.15 p.m. with the clash of Shannon Rangers and An Ghaeltacht and at 3.45 p.m. Feale Rangers play senior championship debutants and All-Ireland Intermediate Club Champions, Ardfert. Kilcummin travel to Templenoe for their 3.00 p.m. clash with Kenmare District and also at 3.00 p.m. at Killorglin we have the local derby of Laune Rangers and Mid Kerry, that should be a big crowd puller.

On Sunday evening at 7.00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney we have the local derby game between Legion and Munster Club Champions, and All-Ireland Club finalists Dr. Crokes.

John Mitchels and Rathmore play their championship relegation playoff as a curtain raiser at Fitzgerald Stadium at 5.00 p.m. on Sunday evening. Extra time will be played if necessary in this playoff. The winners will retain senior status for the 2008 County Championship and the losing team will play Milltown/Castlemaine in the relegation decider.

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

The quarterfinals of the Castleisland Co-Op Mart County Intermediate, Junior and Novice Championships will be played on the weekend of June 17th with games on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. The shield competitions in each of the grades, for teams that lost in the first round will also be played. The shield competitions serve the dual purpose of providing regular games for clubs and they will also be used as guide to the regarding of teams for next year’s championships.

JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUES

The Round 5 games of the Credit Union County Junior Football Leagues will played at 8.00 p.m. on this Friday June 10th. Teams that have a backlog of games are asked to arrange them to be played within the next fortnight as the quarterfinals in Divisions 3,4 and 5 are scheduled for June 22nd. The semi-finals in Divisions 1 and 2 are scheduled for June 29th.

The home club is responsible for phoning in result immediately after the game.

CO. HURLING LEAGUES

Congratulations to Kilmoyley on winning the Division 1 Credit Union County Senior Hurling league after their Round 7 victory over Crotta O’Neills last Saturday. Kilmoyley have a three point lead on the table ahead of second placed Abbeydorney whose Round 7 game against Ballyduff could not be played because of the involvement of three Ballyduff players with the Kerry Junior team last Sunday at Dungarvan. Also for the same reason the game between St. Brendan’s and Causeway was not played. Ballyheigue had a comfortable victory against Lixnaw in their Round 7 game.

For the first time in many years Division 1 of the league was played on schedule. A very big effort was made by everybody to complete the seven rounds on the scheduled dates. As a result the status of the league has improved immeasurably with the publication of up to date league tables, similar to the Senior Football League.

All attention on the hurling side of things for the next few weeks is on the County Senior team and their campaign in The Christy Ring Cup beginning on Saturday afternoon June 16th with a home game against Mayo at Austin Stack Park.

On Wednesday last in the two quarterfinals of Division 2 of the Credit Union County Senior Hurling League. Kilgarvan defeated Lady’s Walk and Ballyheigue defeated Kenmare to qualify for the semi-finals.

On this Wednesday Kilgarvan play Division 2A leaders, Kilmoyley at Lewis Road, Killarney and Ballyheigue play Division 2B leaders, St. Brendan’s in the semi-finals. Both games are at 7.30 p.m. Extra time will be played if necessary.

UNDER 21 CO. FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

The first games in the County Under 21 Football Championship will be played on Tuesday June 19th. Austin Stacks are at home to Mid Kerry, Feale Rangers host West Kerry, St. Kieran’s will be at home to Dr. Crokes, South Kerry have home venue against Laune Rangers and Kerins O’Rahillys host Dingle. 2006 champions, St. Brendan’s and runners up East Kerry have a bye into the quarterfinals.

This year there will be an Under 21 Club Championship and 32 clubs have entered teams. The first round games in this new competition will be played on Thursday June 28th.

VHI CÚL CAMPS

The “VHI GAA Cúl Camps”, will run throughout July and August from Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 2.30 pm, each day. Camps will be held at different venues throughout Kerry each week.

In addition to learning the skills of Gaelic games under the tutelage of qualified GAA coaches, participating children will receive a full set of playing gear (jersey, togs and socks) and a knapsack. A Kerry Jersey will be raffled at each camp and also a Player of the Week will be selected at each venue.

Football camps will be at Austin Stack Park, Glenflesk, Listowel and Waterville and hurling camps at Causeway and Rathmore from July 2nd to 6th. From July 9th to 13th the Football Camps are at Kilcummin, Castleisland, Sneem, Ballybunion and Listry and the hurling camps will be at Ballyheigue and Dingle. From July 16th to 20th the Football Camps are at Rathmore, Dingle, Cahersiveen, Knocknagoshel and Causeway and hurling at Abbeydorney and Killorglin. From July 23rd to 27th it’s football at Killorglin, Killarney, Currow, Lixnaw and Churchill and hurling at Ardfert and Kenmare.

From July 30th to August 3rd the Football Camps will be at Castlegregory, Farranfore, Tarbert, Beaufort and Portmagee while the Hurling Camps move to Duagh and Waterville. From August 6th to 10th Kenmare, Milltown, Glenbeigh and St. Senan’s will host the football camps and Killarney hosts the hurling camp. The final week of the Cúl Camps from August 13th to 17th the football camps are at Austin Stack Park, Fitzgerald Stadium, Annascaul, Renard and Duagh and a joint football, hurling and camogie camp at Austin Stack Park.

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 and they should bring football gear and a football to the football camps and a hurley and helmet to the hurling camps.

VHI GAA Cúl Camps are open to primary school children between the ages of 7 and 13.

Cost: €55 per person, €45 for second member of same family, €30 for additional members. The fee for person wishing to take part in two camps is €85, €70 for second member of same family and €50 for additional members of same family.

Additional details are available from Camp Coordinator Bernie Reen (087) 2020143 or Kerry County Board (066) 7122061. Application forms are available from Kerry County Board, schools. Clubs and Games Promotion Officers or log onto www.gaa.ie

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