SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 0-13; Milltown-Castlemaine 0-9.
Our Seniors went into this game (round 1 – quarter final of the Club Championship, played in the Nuns pitch, Connolly Park on last Saturday evening, 16th April) with their last encounter against the same opposition very fresh in their minds. On that occasion, in Castleisland last November, we lost by 2-9 to 2-6 in a Co. Championship relegation play-off and we were determined not to slip up again on this occasion and thereby be involved in another relegation battle. And after a very focused and determined performance we made sure not to repeat last November’s outcome, even though we were pushed all the way by a very committed Milltown/Castlemaine outfit, who, if they produce the same skill and commitment in the relegation round, need have no fears of maintaining their Senior Championship status.
Shane O’Callaghan opened the scoring just over a minute into the game after good work by Jack O’Shea and Shane Carroll. Ironically it was Calla again, in the 67th minute, who put over the final score of the game to ensure a four points win for us.
Even though playing into a very strong and cold wind, we still dominated the first half and went in at half time with a two points lead (0-6 to 0-4). In addition to Calla’s opener, scores also came from team captain, Kieran Donaghy, Wayne Guthrie (2 – one from a 45), Shane Carroll and the last score of the half from Daniel Bohan, after just coming on the pitch two minutes earlier.
We maintained our marginal dominance in the second half – outscoring the visitors again by a similar margin (0-7 to 0-5). Six minutes after the resumption we edged further ahead with points from Shane O’Callaghan, followed by a David Mannix free, after a foul on Star. But three successive points by Milltown cut our lead to the bare minimum.
However, in the next ten minutes (47th to 57th) we responded with three of our own – Calla and David again on target and a lovely long-ranged one from Conor Jordan who was supposed to be playing at full back. But a minute later Conor was in that full back position to cut out a very dangerous move by Milltown when a goal at that stage would really have put the cat among the pigeons. And such was the display by our defenders that Darragh O’Brien had only to make one serious save – a brilliant one at that- to prevent a certain goal.
In added time (seven minutes of which was played) both sides scored two each – our two coming from Barry Shanahan and a Shane O’Callaghan free.
We have drawn Dingle in the semi final and this game has been fixed for Annascaul on Saturday evening week (30th April) at 6.30pm. The other semi final (Dr. Crokes .v. Legion) goes ahead at the same time in Kilcummin.
Team: Darragh O’Brien, Fearghal MacNamara, Conor Jordan (0-1), Colin Griffin, Pa McCarthy, Denis McElligott, Jack O’Shea, Wayne Guthrie (0-2 – one 45), Kieran Donaghy (Capt) (0-1), Greg Horan, Michael O’Donnell, Shane Carroll (0-1), David Mannix (0-2 frees), Shane O’Callaghan (0-4 – one free), David O’Sullivan.
Subs used: Daniel Bohan (27m) (0-1), Alan Nestor (42m), Fiachna Mangan (47m), Barry Shanahan (50m) (0-1), Michael Collins (58m).
GOOD LUCK: to the Kerry Senior Footballers (including our own Kieran Donaghy and selector, Mikey Sheehy) as they take on Dublin in Croke Park on next Sunday in the NFL Final. Kerry are seeking their 20thtitle (their last win was in 2009) while Dublin who are going for their 4th in a row are seeking their 12th title in all. They currently share the 2nd spot on the Roll of Honours table with Mayo on 11 wins each.
B FOOTBALL: Ballylongford 2-8; Austin Stacks 0-11.
It was an historic day in Ballylongford yesterday (17th April) for the North Kerry village – as they celebrated the 80th birthday of one of their most famous sons – poet and academic, Brendan Kennelly (former Professor of Modern Literature at Trinity College) who was born there on that date in 1936 and whose extended family are still very much involved in GAA affairs in North Kerry.
And the home team were also in celebratory mood after their first Co. League win of the season when they had three points to spare at the end of this postponed round 2 game..
There was very little between the sides all through, but the two goals we conceded (one at vital times in each half) was the difference in the end.
We started well and led by two inside six minutes – an Alan Duggan free after Calvin Foley was fouled and one from play by Dale Counihan. At the end of the first quarter the sides were level on four points each, with Mikey Collins and Shane Crowley on target for us. But in the space of a minute the home side got through for their first goal, followed immediately by a point.
Then in the 18th minute Brían Mangan pointed from play – what a brilliant first half Brían had, – fetching high balls cleanly and with perfect distribution – and two minutes later Alan Duggan, who also had another great game at centre field, pointed from a free after Mikey Collins was fouled. The last ten minutes of the half produced no more scores which left Bally ahead by two at the break 1-5 to 0-6.
All our five second half points came from the boot of Alan Duggan (three from frees) and the game changer was that 2nd goal which came nine minutes into the second half. While we rallied well from that set-back we just could not get that elusive goal which was the difference in the end.
Team: Paddy Fitzgibbon, John Murphy (Capt), Denis O’Neill; Paul Galvin, Eoin Colgan, John Dennis, Dylan Harnett, Alan Duggan (0-7 – 5 frees), Brían Mangan (0-1), Shane Crowley (0-1), Mikey Collins (0-1), Seán Dukes, Andrew Morrissey, Calvin Foley, Dale Counihan (0-1).
Subs used: William Kirby (ht), Oisín Fitzgerald (ht); Eoin Galvin (38m).
Our next Co. League outing will be a round 4 visit to Castlegregory on the weekend of the 5th June. Castle have won two out of their first three games while our only win to date has been in that first round tie, away to Cordal.
Eoin Galvin picked up what looked like a nasty shoulder injury during the second half, and we all wish him a full and speedy recovery.
MINOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 0-9; Dr. Crokes 2-10.
This 5th and final round game in the Co. League, which was ‘surplus to requirements’ as far as the final placings in the League Table was concerned, ended in a seven points win for the visitors, played in the Nuns Field, Connolly Park on last Friday evening (15th April).
At half time Crokes led by a point (0-4 to 0-3) with our scores coming from Donagh McKivergan (2 – one from a free) and a Fergal Ryan free.
But 15 seconds after the resumption Crokes extended that lead with the first of their two goals, and following up with a point from the kick-out. But our lads settled well after that set-back and one player that stood out was Joseph O’Connor, who was playing his first game at Minor level. Joseph started at full forward but came to midfield for the second half and, together with Philip Quilter and David Fitzmaurice, steadied the ship somewhat, which led to some good scores from Donagh McKivergan and Michael Linnane, with Joseph himself popping up to score one as well. This was achieved with good support play from Fergal Ryan, Cian Liston and Harry O’Callaghan.
With six minutes remaining we were still trailing by four points (1-9 to 0-8) when Crokes got through for their second goal and this really put the game beyond our reach. Fergal Ryan scored our last point from a free.
As well as Joseph it was also good to see Donagh McMahon making his Minor debut, coming on early in the second half and fitting in very well as the game progressed.
Team: Robbie Murphy, Shane Kelliher, Dylan Casey, Tomás Sheehy, Brandon Patterson (Capt), Ciarán O’Reilly, Odhran Liston, Philip Quilter, David Fitzmaurice, Michael Linnane (0-2), Fergal Ryan (0-2 frees), Donagh McKivergan (0-4 – 2 frees), Cian Liston, Joseph O’Connor (0-1), Harry O’Callaghan.
Subs used: Donagh McMahon (39m), Conor Lowe (51m), Jason Roche (57m).
All in the squad wish Shane Walsh a full and speedy recovery from the injury he picked up in training last week which, unfortunately, will keep him sidelined for a few weeks.
Ferdia O’Brien (what a game Ferdia had in Kerry’s win against Waterford last Wednesday, scoring two super goals) also had to sit out the game having picked up a not-too-serious injury in that Munster Championship game. Unfortunately Pádraig Looney and Jonathan Myers are also missing through injuries – Padraig awaiting a procedure and Jonathan, hopefully, on the way back shortly after being out of action after that game in Dingle last year.
Our semi final tie, against Firies (who defeated us in round 1 by a point), has been fixed for Connolly Park on this Friday evening (22nd April) at 6.45pm with extra time if required. Dr. Crokes and Gneeveguilla will contest the other semi final.
WELL DONE: to the Kerry Minors (including our own Ferdia O’Brien, who bagged two great goals, one in each half) on their good win last week in round 1 of the Munster Championship – defeating Waterford by 2-21 to 1-2. They will now face Clare in the semi final in three weeks time (11th May).
SENIOR HURLING: The South Kerry SH League gets underway on this Wednesday evening with five teams in the frame. Together with ourselves, the other four teams are Dr. Crokes, Kenmare, Kilgarvan and St. Pats (East Kerry).
We have a bye in round 1 , so our first outing (in round 2) will be a home game against Dr. Crokes on Wednesday next (27th April) at 7pm. We have two away games then in rounds 3 and 4 – against St. Pats (4th May) and against Kilgarvan (11th May). Our 5th and final round game will be at home to Kenmare on 25th May.
REMEMBERING: And as the Hurling season is about to get under-way all in the Club and in the Hurling squad in particular remember at this time the late Trevor Barrett The second anniversary of Trevor’s untimely death takes place on this Wednesday (20th April).
CLUBHOUSE: As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties. For Bookings phone Maurice McNamara at 086 3747 642.
CARDS: The 45 Card Sessions will continue in the Clubhouse on every Monday and Thursday nights, commencing at 9.30pm each night.
LOTTO: Last week’s (11th April) Jackpot, worth €5,000, was not won. The numbers drawn were 13, 14, 23, 26.
The €20 Winners were: Denis O’Connor, c/o The Club; Patsy Griffin and Sonny & Anne Roche, both c/o Richard Healy; Johnny Dowling, c/o Carmel O’Neill; and N & J Ashe, c/o The Bingo.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Mary Cournane, St. Brendan’s Park (sister of former Club Footballer, the late Junior Cournane); Nora Keogan (nee O’Riordan), Oakpark; Patrick Wall, Boston and late of Kevin Barry Villas and Cavan Town; and Joan (Hanna Mai) Carroll, Abbey Court and late of Listowel and Ballyheigue.
