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WEEKLY
NEWS
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Weekly Kerry GAA Scene
by
Co. PRO Willie O'Connor
11th April 2007
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11th April 2007 |
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VICTORY AGAINST DUBLIN GUARANTEED DIVISION 1 FOOTBALL... Last Sunday, as expected, all the drama, suspense and tension of the very competitive Division 1A of the Allianz National Football League took centre stage at Dublin’s Parnell Park. In the absence of the selected midfield partnership of Darragh Ó Sé and Tommy Griffin, Seamus Scanlon and Mícheál Quirke stepped up to the mark and put in a very convincing display, which helped to earn Kerry a well deserved victory against Dublin and guaranteed Division 1 football for the team in next year’s new eight team division format. The Kerry defence played a huge role in the team’s victory as well as some well-taken scores, particularly in the tense closing minutes of the game. After the referee blew for full time, there was relief for Kerry in winning a game that we might not have expected to win in the circumstances. Even though we will not be involved in the playoffs, on a positive note Kerry’s league campaign has been very satisfying considering we only got down to serious training in mid January after the players returned from holiday. The team management have used the league as an opportunity to give competitive games to all the players on the panel, giving the players the necessary experience needed for our championship campaign. Kerry have shown a hunger and passion for success again this year. The Kerry players are as enthusiastic as they were last year and they shown they are eager for more success. Last Sunday’s win against Dublin is a good platform on which to embark on our preparations for the championship. Our next game is on Sunday June 3rd when we meet either Clare or Waterford in the semi-final of the Bank Of Ireland Munster Senior Football Championship. Last Thursday, Jack O’Connor accepted a Waterford Crystal replica of the Sam Maguire Cup on behalf of 2006 Kerry Captain and fellow clubman, Declan O’Sullivan at the company’s headquarters in Waterford. Declan was unable to attend the presentation due to Kerry training commitments. Kilkenny’s 2006 All-Ireland winning captain, Jackie Tyrell was presented with a replica of the Liam McCarthy Cup. Waterford Crystal presents replicas of the Sam Maguire Cup and Liam McCarthy Cup each year to the All-Ireland winning captains. GAA President Nickey Brennan, Munster Council Chairman, Jimmy O’Gorman, the Mayor of Waterford and representatives from Waterford Crystal senior management attended this very enjoyable presentation dinner. Eamon O’Sullivan and Willie O’Connor represented Kerry County Board. MUNSTER MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP The Quarterfinal between Kerry and Tipperary in the ESB Munster Minor Football Championship will be played at The Gaelic Grounds, Limerick on this Wednesday April 11th at 6.30 p.m. In the other quarterfinals Clare play Limerick and Cork play Waterford. The winners qualify for the semi-finals on May 9th. The fourth semi-final place will be decided with the losers of the Kerry v Tipperary game playing the losers of the Clare v Limerick game on Wednesday April 18th. The winners of this playoff will meet the losers of the Cork v Waterford quarterfinal in the second playoff game on Wednesday April 25th. CREDIT UNION COUNTY LEAGUE RD. 4 The Round 4 games, which is the very popular local derby round of the Credit Union County Senior Football League, will be played this weekend with games on Saturday evening at 7.00 p.m. and on Sunday afternoon at 2.30 p.m. Many of the games in this round are local derby games to whet the appetites of players and supporters alike. Kerins O’Rahillys who are back on top of the Division 1 table after a thrilling encounter against Laune Rangers in Round 3 are away to neighbours Austin Stacks. Dingle play An Ghaeltacht at Páirc An Ághasaigh, Dr. Crokes are at home to Kilcummin and Gneeveguilla host Rathmore. There is bound to be great rivalry at Killorglin when Laune Rangers host Mittlwon/Castlemaine. Ardfert travel to play Listowel Emmets. In Division 2 St. Michael’s/Foilmore’s third successive victory sees them lead in the race for promotion and they are at home to second placed Spa in this round. In some mouth watering South Kerry clashes, Waterville are at home to Dromid Pearses and Sneem host St. Mary’s. There will be intense rivalry evident at Castleisland when Desmonds host Currow and in North Kerry, Finuge are at home Beale. In Division 3 Tarbert are the only team on full points from the three opening rounds and they are at home to Beaufort in this round. In a South Kerry derby, Renard are at home to Skellig Rangers. In East Kerry, Glenflesk host Legion and in Kenmare, Tousist are away to their near neighbours. Na Gaeil, who set the pace with their victories in the opening two rounds and dropped a point against Glenflesk in Round 3 are away to Ballymacelligott in this round. Castlegregory have home venue in their all West Kerry clash with Lispole. In Division 4 no fewer than six teams are on four points. Keel, Glenbeigh/Glencar and Firies have four points from three games played and Duagh, Ballyduff and Valentia have four points each from two games played. Cordal host Scartaglin, Cromane are at home Glenbeigh/Glencar, Duagh travel to Brosna, Ballydonoghue are hosting neighbours Ballyduff and Keel are at home to Valentia. Firies are away to St. Pat’s. Dates for back matches were arranged at last week’s meeting of the Competitions Control Committee and two games are being played this week. On this Wednesday Duagh are at home to Ballydonoghue at 7.00 p.m. and on this Friday at 7.00 p.m. St. Senan’s are at home to Moyvane. 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. COUNTY CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS The first round games in the Castleisland Co-Op Mart County Intermediate, Junior and Novice Championships will be played on the weekend of April 29th with most of the games on the Saturday evening at and a few games down for decision on Sunday at 2.30 p.m. Extra time will be played if necessary. Everybody is now fully aware that county champions in these competitions will have the opportunity to aim for Provincial and All-Ireland honours as well the county title, following on the example set by Ardfert, Finuge and Duagh. It is not that long ago since we were reporting on Ardfert and Duagh in the All-Ireland Intermediate and Junior Finals at Croke Park in the beginning of March. That is the ultimate prize awaiting the County Intermediate and Junior Championship winners. Every club and player in Kerry is fully aware of the impact that this can have on the club and local community. Ardfert winning the Junior and Intermediate All-Ireland Finals in successive years, Finuge’s success in winning the All-Ireland Junior Club Championship Final two years ago and although Duagh were beaten in this year’s All-Ireland Junior Club Final they got full value from their participation. This success will definitely have a positive impact on the standard of the County Intermediate and Junior Club Championships this year. The road to All-Ireland glory and playing in Croke Park could soon be starting for some Kerry club. AIB COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP The Competitions Control Committee have arranged the fixtures for Round 1 of the AIB County Senior Football Championship. Extra time will be played if necessary. On Saturday May 12th there is a double bill at Kilmoyley commencing at 6.00 p.m. with Ardfert v Legion and at 7.30 p.m. St. Brendan’s play St. Kieran’s. On the same evening at 7.00 p.m. Rathmore play An Ghaeltacht at Rathmore and Milltown/Castlemaine host Kerins O’Rahillys at Milltown. On Sunday May 13th there is a double bill at Killorglin commencing at 2.00 p.m. with Laune Rangers v John Mitchels and at 3.30 p.m. Mid Kerry play Feale Rangers. West Kerry play Kenmare in Annascaul at 2.30 p.m., Shannon Rangers host East Kerry at Ballylongford at 2.30 p.m. On the same evening, at 7.00 p.m. Austin Stacks play Kilcummin at Austin Stack Park and at Fitzgerald Stadium also at 7.00 p.m. Dr. Crokes play Dingle. COUNTY MINOR LEAGUES The Round 4 games Keane’s Super Valu County Minor Football Leagues will be played on this Friday April 13th with all games starting at 7.00 p.m. Some of the postponed games from Rounds 1 and 3 were played over the Easter Holidays. In the minor hurling league the Round 3 games in Division 1 and the Round 1 games in the 13 a side Division 2 League will be played on this Sunday with all games starting at 12 noon. The home club is responsible for phoning in the result to the County PRO immediately after the game finishes. NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE After a disappointing performance against Laois in the first half, the Kerry Senior Hurling team put in a magnificent wholehearted display in the second half of the Division 2 quarterfinal of the Allianz National Hurling League at Gaelic Grounds, Limerick last Saturday. It was an uphill struggle to claw back the big lead built up by Laois but to their credit the Kerry players gave their all and if there is any consolation in defeat then the Kerry team can feel justifiably proud of their spirited second half display. The Kerry team and management must focus their attention on the Christy Ring Cup, which will commence in mid June. It is heartening and encouraging that 23 players travelled to Limerick for last Saturday’s league quarterfinal. Hopefully the problems encountered during the league are over and that the players, club officials and supporters will rally behind Maurice Leahy to ensure that this year Kerry will be in a position to make a realistic bid for honours in this competition. This is a competition that Kerry can win and the players and team management should be given every possible support and encouragement to achieve their goal. With wholehearted and enthusiastic support from the hurling clubs Kerry can perform well in this championship and perhaps go all the way to the final in Croke Park. The Christy Ring Cup is a championship that is ideally structured for our level and standard and gives a profile to the Kerry Senior Hurling team that was not there heretofore. Consider the promotional value for hurling in Kerry if the team reach the final. A successful campaign in the Christy Ring Cup is essential for hurling to progress and expand at under age level. It will give young players the desire and ambition to represent their county from under 14 right up to senior. Munster Council, Central Council and the Irish Sports Council grant aid the hurling coaching structures in the county. Much hard work and funds have gone towards coaching and underage development squads and now hopefully the rewards will be forthcoming. COUNTY HURLING LEAGUE The Round 3 games in Division 1 of the Credit Union County Senior Hurling League will be played on this Saturday with all games starting at 7.00 p.m. The home club is responsible for phoning in the result to the County PRO immediately after the game finishes. UNDER 16 HURLING The Kerry Under 16 Hurling Team defeated Muskerry 1-12 to 1-6 in the semi-final of the Munster Under 16 Interdivisional Championship at Kilmoyley on Bank Holiday Monday. The details of the final were not available at time of going to print. HOGAN CUP FINAL Tralee CBS will play Omagh CBS in the final of the Hogan Cup, the All-Ireland Colleges Senior Football Championship at Croke Park at 1.45. p.m. on Sunday April 22nd. It will be a curtain raiser to the National Football League Final. CONGRESS This weekend the GAA Annual Congress will take place at Kilkenny. Delegates from every county in Ireland and from our overseas units will attend Congress, which will commence on Friday afternoon. Congress will consider the Reports and Audited Accounts of the Central Council and subsidiary councils for the previous year up to 31st December 2006. Reports from the Congress Workshops will also be considered. Motions to enact, amend or rescind rules will also be considered and Association policy in broad outline will be determined. Some of the motions that will be debated at Annual Congress were discussed at the last meeting of the County Committee and there was broad agreement on how the Kerry delegation will vote on the motions.
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