Kerry GAA Online

THE SENIOR HURLERS BEGIN CHRISTY RING CAMPAIGN...

This Saturday it’s the turn of the Senior Hurling Team to embark on their championship campaign with a home game against Mayo in the first round of the Christy Ring Cup. The game will be played at Austin Stack Park, Tralee commencing at 3.00 p.m.

The competition is made up of two groups of five teams and Kerry are playing in Group A along with Mayo, Meath, Down and Westmeath. The teams in Group B are Carlow, Kildare, Wicklow, London and Derry.

This Senior Hurling Championship format Tier 2 Hurling teams now in its third year for gives the senior teams from these counties the opportunity to compete against teams of similar standard.

Kerry have a bye in Round 2 on June 23rd and are away to Meath in Round 3 on Saturday June 30th. In Round 4 we at home to Down on Saturday July 7th and away to Westmeath on Saturday July14th. The top two teams from the group will qualify for the semi-finals against the two top teams from Group A on July 21st and the final will be played at Croke Park on Sunday August 5th as a curtain raiser to the All-Ireland semi-final.

What is at stake is creating a positive image for hurling in the county among the young people who being coached in the skills in the clubs and schools and those who will be introduced to hurling at our Summer Camps over the summer.

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.

It was painfully obvious again after last Wednesday’s heavy defeat by Waterford of the Kerry Under 21 team that we are not able to compete at any level in the Munster Hurling Championships. This panel of players will have competitive games at a level more suitable to their standard in the All-Ireland B Championship later in the summer.

This is not a time for negative and critical comments on the standard of hurling being played in the county and particularly by the county teams. It is accepted that the standard of our senior hurling championship is on a par with many of the stronger hurling counties. Now is the time for these standards to be reflected in the performances of the county team as well. Much hard work and funds have gone towards the team preparations and now hopefully the rewards will be forthcoming.

MUNSTER FOOTBALL FINAL TICKET SCHEME

Members of the Kerry County Board 2003-2008 Ticket Purchase Scheme are reminded that this Friday June 22nd 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. Tickets allocated to the scheme will be reallocated to the clubs and other units after the closing date.

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 (€35). 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.” No applications will be taken over the phone. The registered address of the member should be used in all correspondence. Membership Certificates must be produced as proof of ownership when collecting the Ticket(s).

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. 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.

AIB COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

After last weekend’s the Round 3 games of the AIB County Senior Football Championship East Kerry, Kerins O’Rahillys, South Kerry, An Ghaeltacht, Feale Rangers, Kilcummin and Dr. Crokes are through to the quarterfinals. Meanwhile Laune Rangers and Mid Kerry, who played a thrilling draw at Killorglin’s JP O’Sullivan Park must replay to decide which of them will make it through to the quarterfinals. No date has been arranged for the replay. With players on both teams on the Kerry senior football panel the date of the replay will be determined by the intercounty schedules.

It is hard on the teams knocked out of the championship, namely, Austin Stacks, St. Brendan’s, Dingle, Shannon Rangers, Ardfert, Kenmare and Legion at this early stage of the season but in drawing up the fixtures plan for the year the dates for playing the county championship after the Munster Final were not available based on the assumption that Kerry will be involved at intercounty level during July and August. It has to be assumed when drawing up the fixtures plan for the year that the Kerry team will have a long run in the championship, hopefully right up to All-Ireland Final. To avoid the County Final being played in late November we had to reach the quarterfinals before the Munster Final.

RELEGATION PLAYOFF

Rathmore beat John Mitchels in their championship relegation playoff at Fitzgerald Stadium on last Sunday evening. Following their victory Rathmore will retain senior status for the 2008 County Championship and John Mitchels must 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 this weekend with most of games on Saturday evening at 7.30 p.m. and a small number of games will be played at 2.30 p.m. on 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. Extra time will be played if necessary. The home club is responsible for phoning the result to the County PRO immediately after the game finished.

MATCH REPORTS

Short match reports can be e-mailed to prokygaa@gofree.indigo.ie at any time on Sunday. 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.

INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTERFINALS

In the two quarterfinals of the Castleisland Co-Op Mart Intermediate Football Championship arranged for this weekend Beaufort are at home to Listowel Emmets and Duagh host Annascaul on Saturday evening.

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTERFINALS

On Saturday in the quarterfinals of the Junior Football Championship St. Pat’s host Moyvane and Keel host Tarbert and on Sunday afternoon Cordal host Lispole and Firies are at home to Castlegregory.

NOVICE CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTERFINALS

In the two quarterfinals of the Novice Football Championship arranged for Saturday evening, Ballydonoghue host Na Gaeil and it’s a long journey ahead of St. Senan’s as they travel to play Tuosist.

NOVICE SHIELD

In last Saturday’s preliminary round Asdee defeated Knockanure to give them a home venue against Knocknagoshel in this Saturday’s quarterfinal of the Novice Shield. Also on Saturday evening Templenoe are at home to Derrynane.

COUNTY LEAGUE

In a back game in Division 1 of the Credit Union County Senior Football League Rathmore are at home to Dr. Crokes on this Saturday at 8.00 p.m. In a back game in Division 5 played last Saturday Knocknagoshel defeated Kilgravan. This win has put them in joint second place with Listry and two points behind the leaders, Fossa.

The Round 6 game of the County League will be played on the weekend of June 23rd.

JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUES

The Round 6 games of the Credit Union County Junior Football Leagues in Divisions 1 and 2 will played at 8.00 p.m. on this Friday June 15th. 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

The semi-finals of Division 2 of the Credit Union County Senior Hurling League scheduled for last Wednesday between Kilgarvan and Division 2A leaders, Kilmoyley at Lewis Road and Ballyheigue against Division 2B leaders, St. Brendan’s were postponed because of some the players on these teams were on Kerry Under 21 team that played against Waterford.

The Round games in Division 3 will be played on Wednesday June 20th with game in Division 3A and 3B all commencing at 8.00 p.m.

UNDER 21 CO. FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

The first games in the County Under 21 Football Championship will be played on Tuesday next June 19th. All games are at 7.30 p.m. and extra time will be played if necessary. 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

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

COUNTY COMMITTEE MEETING

The June meeting of the County Committee will be held at The Pavilion, Austin Stack Park, Tralee on Monday next June 18th at 8.30 p.m.

MUNSTER FINAL STEWARDS

With a big crowd expected to attend the Munster Football Finals at Fitzgerald Stadium on July 1stthe clubs of the county are asked to co-operate by recommending members over 18 years of age, who are willing to act as voluntary stewards. Stewards are welcome from all clubs in the county and they can give their name to their club secretary or contact the event Controller, Billy Doolan directly at Ph. 064 31700, Fax 064 26688, Mobile 087 9729160 or email fitzgeraldstadium@eircom.net or John Lenihan at 087 7763500 before Monday June 25th. Regrettably names will not be accepted on the day of the game.

All stewards will be positioned inside the stadium and must report to the turnstiles at Dalton’s Avenue before 10.00 a.m. on match day to sign in and receive a briefing on their duties. Refreshments will be provided on arrival and a meal will be provided after the game.

NEW YORK NEWS

The Kerry Juniors had an easy 1-15 to 0-8 win over the Rangers last week. They led by 0-10 to 0-6 at half time. The crucial goal came early in the second half and this paved the way for a comfortable victory. In the back line, W. Curtin, T. Wrenn and P. Enright protected goalkeeper, M. Cronin and as result he had an easy hour. Midfielders A. Glacken and T. Quaid were in control and gave a good supply of quality ball to the forwards with K. O’Shea, S. Langan, W. O’Donnell and M. McKenna scoring freely.

Team: M. Cronin, Gneeveguilla, S. Brennan, Slogo, W. Curtin, Austin Stacks, P. Enright, Tarbert, T. Wrenn, Tarbert, T. Quaid, Ballybunion, E. Hickson, Lispole, A. Glacken, Mayo, J. O’Grady, Wexford, P. Mulvihill, Ballydonoghue, W. O’Donnell, Ballydonoghue, K. O’Shea, St. Mary’s, M. McKenna, Kerins O’Rahillys, C. Quaid, Ballybunion, S. Langan, Tarbert. In charge of the team were B. Henchey, Lisellton, M. Cronin, Gneeveguilla, E. O’Sullivan, Sneem, and the customary input from John O’Riordan.

SYMAPTHY

We extend our sincere sympathy to the Ó Sé family of Árd A’ Bhothair, Ventry on the death of Beatrice, mother of Páidí Ó Sé and grandmother of Kerry players Darragh, Tomás and Marc. We also send our deepest sympathy to the family of Vincent Fuller, founder member of the Kerry Supporters Club and to Kerry Minor Football team manager, John Kennedy on the death of his uncle.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamnacha dilse

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