Seniors:
Division 1:
Tús maith leath na hoibre – a good start is half the battle and this was certainly the case in Killarney on Sat when we lost our unbeaten run in the county league, going down by the minimum to Legion.
We were off the pace in the first half and despite a fine comeback in the second half, the concession of 1-08 in the opening period proved too much in the end.
Legion,with the aid of a stiff breeze were first to score but Gazza Savage soon had us on level terms when he found the range from 35 yards out; Legion continued to force the pace and despite shooting 3 wides they were 0-06 to 0-02 ahead after 20 minutes, Tommy Walsh adding a point from a free on 12 minutes.
Worse was to follow when we conceded a goal in the 24th minute but we negated this score when Gavin O’Brien ( immense in this period in the air), found space to run at the defence and when he parted to Con Barrett, Con found the net with a fine drive.
Legion tacked on two points to leave the half time score, 1-08 to 1-02 in their favour.
Jack Savage had entered the fray just before half time and he was to play a major part in our second half revival, shooting 6 points, five from frees. Though Legion were first to score in the second half, Jack pulled one back and we can count ourselves unlucky when first Jack struck the crossbar with a great drive and when the ball broke, John Ferguson was upended in the square in the act of shooting – the penalty was awarded but Jack drove his low shot to the left and wide and Legion must have been grateful at the let off. We continued to dominate around the middle with Con Barrett winning good possession and our forwards in turn creating openings – Legion’s defence was often stretched and frees were forthcoming with Jack profiting and hitting some fine scores – we were 3 in arrears entering the final 10 minutes ( 1-11 to 1-08) when in a great move, Ross O’Callaghan got inside the cover and fired to the net – it was now level and the momentum seemed to be with us but Legion rallied and went ahead once more – again, we found the equaliser but though we had opportunities we could not get the lead point. The game was in its dying moments when Legion converted and in a final attack an opportunity to level was spurned and that was to be our last chance.
This was a disappointing result given the display in the second half but the game was lost in the first half when, for whatever reason, we looked slow and ponderous and failed to raise our game to the levels required.
Our next game sees us welcome John Mitchels to Strand Road on weekend of 26th May.
County League Div 5:
Kerins O’Rahillys 0-14
Asdee 2-08
We gained our first points in this division when sharing the spoils with Asdee in an entertaining game played in Strand Road on Sunday.
We were fast out of the blocks and had two points from play on the board from Shane McElligott and Gearóid Savage before Asdee opened the scoring on 7 minutes with a point of their own, again from play.
It was nip and tuck from here for the remainder of the half as both teams traded scores with Gearóid Savage particularly impressive notching a further 4 points along with a fine point from John C O’Connor, operating from midfield. Asdee were competitive throughout and led at the break by two points, 1-06 to 0-07.
Asdee were first to score in the second half but points from Donagh O’Brien, Gearóid again and centre back, Jason O’Leay had the teams on level terms with 10 mins remaining. Asdee then broke through for a goal but good play from Ryan Carroll, Darragh McEllligott, Shane McElligott saw us apply pressure to pick off scores and we deservedly equalised late in the game with a point from John C.
Gearóid Savage was our stand out player hitting 0-07 in total with good support from mid fielders Ryan Carroll and John C O’Connor, wing forward Shane McElligott and full forward Tom Hoare. In defence, Jason O’Leary and Darragh McElligott were the pick.
Round 5 will take place on weekend of 27th May when Kilgarvan come to Strand Road.
Membership:
Annual membership is now due and can be paid to any of the club officers. The fee remains unchanged from previous years with adult membership priced @ €60, students €30.
Junior Blues:
Academy:
A great crowd in Healy Park on Sunday morning with beautiful sunshine to brighten our spirits.
The new academy football kits arrived so all the children were excited and proud to train in their new kit.
The blue and white shone brightly in the glorious sunshine.
The parents watched on as always, chatting and enjoying a warm cuppa along with some warm fresh scones and goodies galore.
Well done to all the hard-working coaches who give it their all every week and this is so evident when you see the improvement in the children each week, it’s a real credit to them.
Well done to all the children for practising last week’s skill of the punt kick – you all did very well.
The skill for this week is the reach catch, so ensure you keep up the excellent work.
A Huge Congratulations to our Players of the Week, keep up the good work !
U6 Boys Adam Quill
Nathan Walsh
U6 Girl Stevie Rose O’Sullivan
U8 Boys Conor Ryan
Joshua O’Connor
U10 Nick Lacey
The Academy will travel to Ballymac next Sunday the 20th May to play in their first games.
We will meet at Ballymac Gaa grounds at 10.40am – a text will follow during the week with further arrangements.
U-12:
There are no upcoming games for the U-12s but training continues as usual this week.
U-14:
We faced Ardfert in our final county league game on Weds night last (9th) and saved our best performance for the finale; though conceding the first score to the opposition, we soon asserted our superiority following goals from Jack Savage and Darragh O’Connor and led by 2-02 to 0-01 after 15 minutes; we continued to dominate proceedings with Jack Savage and Seán Healy outstanding in the middle of the pitch and Danny Hennessy leading the attack in style – at half time it was 2-06 to 0-03 and though facing the breeze in the 2nd half we continued where we left off and added 2-02 inside the opening 10 minutes, the goals coming from Tomás Kennedy and Ben O’Brien – from here to the finish we added some fine scores to run out convincing winners on a final score line of :
Kerins O’Rahillys 5-12
Ardfert 1-09
The semi final will take place this coming Weds night when we once again face Ardfert – we topped the table on 8 points and Ardfert finished in fourth place – Ballymac take on Fossa in the other game. The game throws in in Strand Road @ 19.00
U14 B Team played away to BallyMac on Wednesday night last and though playing well were beaten well in the end.
There is no game for the B team this week.
U-16:
We made our exit from the Central League on Monday night last when succumbing to a physically stronger Glenbeigh/Glencar/Cromane side in the semi final played in Glenbeigh. We started poorly and conceded two goals early which made our task all the greater – we battled back bravely and though coming up short in the end, all the lads should be proud of their efforts to work their way back into the game. Final score: GGC 4-11, KO’R 2-15.
There is no activity for the U-16s until June when county league will begin, shortly after the junior certificate.
Ladies:
U12 GIRLS
Well done to the girls who beat Dr. Crokes in Killarney in Round 1 of The County League in a scoreline of 3-04 to 4-09. Big improvements with every game for this very young team.
This Tuesday, May 15th we are home to Laune Rangers. Best of luck!
U14 GIRLS
Kerins O’Rahillys powered to a great win over Na Gaeil in The County League division 4 on Sunday evening. Early goals from Sarah Costello and Katie Nix put this game to bed in the first half and KOR were 8 goals and 1pt up to 1pt at half time. The second half was a little quieter with KOR playing all the panel on the night.
Everyone played well today but especially Kelly Fitzgerald in goals, Aisling O’ Connell, Lauren Doody and Siúna Crowe who was very steady in the backs, in midfield Rachael O’ Donnell was the best player on the pitch by a mile and never stopped working all through the game while upfront Kate Kerins, Katie Nix and Sarah Costello really delivered on the potential they have shown in training . Great team display which was coming out. Hopefully the team are now in the county league semifinal but we won’t know for certain until other games are played but it augurs well for the rest of the season. Final score Na Gaeil 1-05 to Kerins O’Rahillys 10- 04.
FÉILE SKILLS COMPETITION
This Friday, May 18th Katie Nix will represent our club in the skills competition. Best of luck Katie from your team mates, coaches and Kerins O’Rahillys. More details to follow.
U16 GIRLS
Unfortunately their game v Duagh was cancelled at short notice on Sunday. Hopefully this game will be refixed shortly as the exams are starting the next few weeks and they still have more games to play.
CLOTHES RECYCLING
We are recycling again so start gathering any unwanted clothing. More details to follow.
REGISTRATION
Registration remains the same as it has for the past number of years
€45 per juvenile player
€80 for two juvenile players
€100 for three juvenile players
€60 for 18 years and over
The club also subsidies part of the girls registration which keeps it at this cost.
In comparison to other sports this amount is quite low but we are also aware of the financial constraints for some parents. There is no problem discussing a payment plan if required. This will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
Both out of fairness to those parents who do pay and for insurance purposes we are strongly recommending parents to pay. Last year some teams suffered because of those that didn’t pay and it’s unfair to those of you who do.
Lotto:
There was no winning ticket in last week’s draw where the winning numbers drawn were: 2, 20, 24 & 29 – there was one match 3 winner, with Andrea & Caoimhe O’Donoghue picking up €25. Next week’s jackpot will now rise to €4,000 – thanks to all who continue to support this important fund raiser. Tickets €2 each/ 3 for €5 can be purchased from the clubhouse, Moran’s food store on Strand Road, Counihans in Princes St or Foley’s Spar on the Castlemaine Road.
The five entrants for special December draw ( 4 X €250) are as follows: Paul Dennison, Danny Leane, Caroline Hutchinson, Oliver Molloy and Antoinette Sayers.
