WEEKLY NEWS
Tralee Town Board Senior League
Kerins O Rahillys 0-16 John Mitchels 2-10
(Dan Walsh reports)
In a highly entertaining game played in ideal conditions, it finished honours even with local rivals John Mitchels.
We had the aid of a strong breeze in the first half and points by Jack Savage 0-4 and John Ferguson 0-2 had us ahead by six points to Mitchels one goal at the 20th minute stage. Both sides had good possession with play swinging from end to end. We had further points by the impressive Cormac Coffey, Jack Savage and two more before the short whistle to leave the half time score at K.O.Rahillys 0-10 to J.Mitchels 1-2.
Mitchels had the breeze in the second half but it was Strand Road who had the better start with points from Jack Savage (2) and another from Cormac Coffey to leave us ahead by 0-13 to 1-2 at the 40th minute.
A high ball in by Mitchels resulted in a penalty and this was dispatched to the top corner of the net. Further points by Mitchels had them at 2-4 to Strand Road’s 0-13 at the 45th minute.
Barry John Keane, who was everywhere, put over a great point at the 47th minute. We were lucky after this when a one on one saw Gary Kissane bring off a great save. Mitchels replied with further points but points by Barry John Keane and Jack Savage ensured that we held on for a share of the spoils.
Team. Shane Foley, Danny Sullivan, Ross O Callaghan, David Murphy, Cormac Coffey, Karl Mullins, Ryan Carroll, Shane Brosnan, Tom Hoare, Daragh Mc Elligott, Jack Savage, John Ferguson, Barry John Keane, Sean Walsh, Gearoid Savage, Subs used Gary Kissane, Aaron Roche, Brian Scannell, Rory O Connor, Donagh O Brien.
Minor Town League
Kerins O’Rahillys 3-6 Na Gaeil 3-17
(Donagh O’Brien reports)
In what was a lovely Saturday afternoon for football down in the club, our minor team, missing a few key players, came out the wrong side of the result.
Both sides started with 14 a side and it was the home team who got the first score of the game with TJ McMahon kicking a close range free.
Na Gaeil went on to score five points in a row but then great work from both Conor O’Sullivan and Conor Hayes set up Ennis Reka whose low drive into the bottom corner reduced the score line to the bare minimum. From the resulting kick out Conor Hayes levelled with a point to make the game 1-2 to 0-5.
Liam Magee put the Blues in front with a point but the lead was only short lived when Na Gaeil went down the other end to level the game again.
Strand Road got their second goal when Magee, this time set up by TJ McMahon, volleyed the broken ball into the back of the net to put the Blues up by three. Na Gaeil again responded with a flurry of points to level the game going into half time at 2-3 to 0-9.
The second half started with the usual 15 a side, which was beneficial to all players with all 30 of them getting at least another 30 minutes of football under their belts. Na Gaeil came out fast, scoring 2-4 to make it a 10 point gap.
A Conor O’Sullivan free reduced the defcit but Na Gaeil scored another four points in a row to widen their lead again. Strand Road’s number 11, Conor Hayes added 1-1 to his tally, while Graham O’Carroll also got his name on the scoreboard as Strand Road tried to reduce the deficit, but Na Gaeil got the last score of the game with their goal making the final score 3-6 to 3-17.
Mention to Darragh Reen of Na Gaeil who got 1-7 with a brilliant performance. Also a mention to O’Rahillys’ U16 player Jack Savage who played very well in his first minor game playing in midfield.
Team: J Hanafin, R McLysath, G Dunne, S Murphy, J Daly, G Burrows, E Reka (1-0), J Savage, C O’Sullivan (0-1), G O’Carroll (0-1), C Hayes (1-2), M Roche, L Magee (1-1), TJ McMahon (0-1), S McCarthy
Tralee Town Board U14 League
The U14s played away to St Pat’s in Blennerville on Sunday last and continued their winning streak with a comprehensive victory. Once the ball was thrown in, the lads showed great determination and skill right to the final whistle.
The full back line were solid and tight marking with Conal, Seamus and Oisín while Jake, Brendán and Brayden were full of running in the half back line. Cian and Ryan dominated the midfield exchanges and with Tomás dictating the attacking areas from centre forward and scoring some lovely long range points, the other forwards Killian, Jamie and Odhran also performed very well and got great scores too.
Special mention to two players this week. Sean Murphy who plays with us when he can scoring 2-2 on the day and also our youngest member of the team Ruairí Kennedy (whose 11th birthday is next week) scoring four points on the day… well done lads. The U14’s next game is
Sunday the 3rd March at 11am in Strand Road versus Stacks B.
Juvenile Academy
The Complex was the place to be on Sunday morning from 11am to 1pm where the Academy trained for the last time indoors & on the astro. There was a big crowd where all the children enjoyed learning football skills under the watchful eye of their coaches.
Next week the Academy takes to the outdoors at Healy Park, Ballyrickard at 11am on Sunday March 3rd. All new members welcome. Any members who haven’t registered can do so next Sunday morning at a cost of 30euro per child & 50euro for a family.
The U12s play the first round of the Town League away to Stacks B this Monday evening, the 25th Feb at 7pm in Caherslee.
Training continues as normal for the U12 & U14s in the Green on Wednesday at 6pm
The U16s train as normal in Mitchel’s on Wednesday at 6pm
LADIES NOTES
U12 GIRLS
Round 1 of North Kerry commences this week. The girls are home to Churchill, with more details to follow over the next few days.
Indoor training continues this Tuesday in the Sports Complex with George Bastible. This will be your last week indoor and like last week everyone may bring a friend, sister, Mom, Auntie or Nana.
U14 GIRLS
Indoor training continues this Tuesday, bring a friend. Outdoor training on Thursday from 5-6p.m.
Round 1 of the Co. League commences next weekend. We are in division 2 this year and are away to Fossa, more details to follow.
U16 GIRLS
Texts will be sent with times and venue for training.
Round 1 of the Co. League commences in just over a month’s time when we will be home to Dingle/ Annascaul.
MINOR LADIES
Our minor team started their very first ever county league fixture on Sunday last against a very strong Moyvane side who were on top from the beginning of the game and were just too strong on the day. Our team was very much depleted missing at least five of our regular players and it was our U16s who made up much of our side.
Moyvane were very strong down the middle and our backs were under a lot of pressure from the first kick of the ball. They scored from nearly every attack and the only danger to them was when Tara O’ Connor and Liana Williams broke through at the other end of the field – but getting good ball supply proved difficult all day.
At half time we were well behind but in fairness to the girls they scored 3-4 in the second half which normally would be enough to win a lot of games, but Moyvane’s early lead proved just too hard to pull back.
It’s early season but we have plenty work to do over the next three to four weeks to get our fitness and ball handling up to speed . Best for KOR on the day was Caitlin Pierce who had a storming second half performance saving at least four point blank shots on goals.
Maedhbh Hanafin tried really hard at the back, Tara O’ Connor and Éabha Murphy never gave up in midfield and Liana Williams was probably our best player and biggest threat when she was on the ball. A tough few weeks of training ahead but we are only back so have plenty to be working on for the year ahead.
REGISTRATION
It’s that time of year again when registration MUST be paid. You may pay in instalments if you wish. This year everyone who pays on time will be entered into a draw for a half zip.
RECRUITMENT
New members welcome to join at any time. Come along and give it a try. You will be made feel welcome and feel part of our ‘football community ‘ . New Year girls, new challenge! Make friends for life.
For further details text or phone Shirley (086) 8713552.
KERRY CO. COUNCIL COMMUNITY SUPPORT FUND 2019
We have been allocated €500 under the Kerry Co. Council Community Support Fund. Many thanks to Kerry Co. Council and to our coaches who helped with the application.
FOOTBALL BOOTS SALE
We will have football boots for sale at training sessions in Ballyrickard- €5 a pair. All proceeds go to our local SVDP who help those in our community.
Congrats to Nora Fealey who was awarded the LGFA Community Officer of the Year. Nora goes above and beyond the call of duty and gives everything 110%. Nora is always very obliging and helpful and well and truly deserved this award and more.
SNIPPETS from “top of the right”
· Well done to Gavin O’Brien who contributed two points to Kerry’s tally in their narrow win over Galway.
· Tommy Walsh was also a very influential figure as The Kingdom continued their unbeaten National League run.
· Well done to UCC and their Kerry contingent on achieving a magnificent Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cup double
. Congrats to Tralee’s Ultan Dillane who was a powerhouse for Ireland in the Six Nations win over Italy.
