By Eamon Fitzgerald
IT Tralee will make the long trip to Belfast this week in order to take on 2017 winners St. Marys University Belfast in round 3 of the 2019 Sigerson Cup. The game will take place on Wednesday at 2pm at the St. Teresa’s GAC, Belfast.
The IT Tralee lads started their campaign with a 1-13 to 1-08 defeat in round 1 to Sigerson Cup favourites Ulster University.
However, although defeated in the end, their performance gave them real hope as they really put it up to the Ulster team and lead for long periods of this game.
Continued below…
In round 2 played last Wednesday, IT Tralee defeated IT Sligo on a scoreline of 6-20 to 1-09. IT Tralee played some great football on the day and were full value for their victory.
IT Tralee will once again come in to this game as underdogs as the St. Marys University can also call on a host of senior inter-county panellists with Jarlath Óg Burns of Armagh, Liam Devlin and Stephen McConville of Down, Derry forward Niall Toner aswell as Liam Rafferty who played for Tyrone on Sunday being the stand out players.
IT Tralee will once again be without star forward David Clifford who is ruled out through injury, while Austin Stacks Jack Morgan and Dr. Crokes Michael Potts are both serious doubts with injures of their own.
IT Tralee will be looking to Gavin Crowley (Templenoe) and Shane Cronin (Spa) to backbone a defence that has looked tight enough to date in the competition.
Liam Kearney (Spa) and Greg Horan (Austin Stacks) will once again form a formidable midfield partnership while new Kerry senior Dara Moynihan (Spa) along with Jack Savage (Kerins O Rahillys), Conor Keane (Killarney Legion) and Mark O’ Shea (Dr. Crokes) will be all hoping to do the business up front for the IT Tralee team.
If IT Tralee can bring the form they have shown to date in the competition then anything is possible in the outcome of this game. The winner of this game will move on to the Sigerson Cup quarter-finals on February 6th where they will play Maynooth University.
IT Tralee Panel to travel to Belfast (all Kerry unless stated):
Aaron McCarthy (Listry), Brian Fitzgerald (Dr. Crokes), Cillian Ferris (Ballysteen, Limerick), Conchuir Lynch (Ballingeary, Cork), Conor Byrne (Avondale, Wicklow), Conor Hurley (John Mitchels), Conor Keane (Killarney Legion), Conor Smith (Knockbride, Cavan), Daniel O’ Keeffe (Dromtarriffe, Cork), Dara Moynihan (Spa), Darragh Kennedy (Monaleen, Limerick), Darren O Doherty (Newcastlewest, Limerick), David Clifford (Fossa), DJ Murphy (Gneeveguilla), Gavin Crowley (Templenoe) – Captain, Gavin McFadden (Milford, Donegal), Greg Horan (Austin Stacks), Iarla Cortney (Ardfert), Jack Morgan (Austin Stacks), Jack Savage (Kerins O’ Rahillys), Jake Foster (Portarlington, Laois), James Duggan (John Mitchels), Killian Murray (Tadhg Mac Cathraigh, Cork), Liam Kearney (Spa), Mark O’ Shea (Dr. Crokes), Mark Quigley (St. Marys, Caherciveen), Michael Potts (Dr. Crokes), Paddy Gillespie (Aodh Ruadh, Donegal), Sean Kelliher (Beaufort), Shane Cronin (Spa) and Thomas Kearns (Ashford, Wicklow).
Management: Liam Brosnan, Eoin O Shea, Clive O Callaghan and Shane O’ Rourke.
• IT Tralee GAA Club would like to thank Alan O Sullivan from Bathrooms 4u for sponsoring Hooded tops, t-shirts and pants for the team. IT Tralee are delighted to be in partnership with this business and are very appreciative of the generosity shown by Bathrooms 4U.