Action from the Kerins O’Rahillys v Na Gaeil match.
Credit Union Co League Div 1
Kerins O Rahillys 1-12 Na Gaeil 1-06
This opening round Co League game started in bright sunshine in Strand Road, despite the wintry conditions, with O’Rahillys playing into the strong wind against a Na Gaeil side making an historic debut in Division 1. They fielded without county star, Jack Barry but this was balanced by the absence of Kerry stalwart David Moran from the home side. However, the club game was given a boost with the inclusion of current county players, Tommy Walsh and Gavin O’Brien for O’Rahillys and Diarmuid O’Connor for Na Gaeil.
The visitors were handed a quick “welcome” when the Blues stormed upfield from the throw-in and Barry John Keane found Jack Savage who pointed from 20 metres. Undaunted, the Killeen side responded and kicked two wides before a hop-ball rewarded due to a delayed O’Rahillys’ kickout resulted in a converted close-in free to level matters. Within three minutes, Strand Road had pulled two points clear courtesy of two converted frees from Jack Savage, the second after a foul on Gavin O’Brien following good interplay with John Ferguson. The home side stretched their lead five minutes later when Keane fisted a point following a move involving Ryan Carroll, Cormac Coffey and the overlapping David Murphy, but Na Gael responded with a fine long range effort to make it 0-4 to 0-2. The gap was back to three points when Keane placed Savage who was fouled as he dribbled soccer-style towards the target and he dusted himself down to convert the close-in free from his hands. The visitors responded immediately though and it took the intervention of Karl Mullins to avert a goal chance. Na Gaeil persisted and a converted free narrowed the gap once again. Both sides had to contend with very difficult conditions at this stage as the high wind swept the field with hail and sleet showers and Strand Road lost Darragh McElligott through injury with Rory O’Connor on in his stead. They pressed on and in the 23rd minute, a move involving Sean Collins and Tom Hoare saw Sean Walsh force a fine save from the Na Gaeil keeper, but the team in green had the final say when a foul on Andrew Barry resulted in a pointed free from 45 metres to leave the half time score at Kerins O’Rahillys 0-5 Na Gaeil 0-4.
Just after the resumption, Na Gaeil stormed down the right hand side and a fisted point levelled matters.
They wrestled control of the game at this stage but a couple of wides and a marvellous interception from Carroll prevented the Killeen men from taking the lead. They were made to pay when Walsh and O’Brien combined to place Keane who pointed to restore O’Rahillys’ lead, but it still took a tremendous save from Gary Kissane, at the expense of a 45 to keep the Blues goal intact.
Still, Na Gaeil took the kick quickly and an interchange of passes saw them level affairs once again. However, O’Rahillys then hit a purple patch and kicked four points in a four-minute spell, three from play from Keane, Savage and Ferguson, followed by a Savage free.
The home side looked very much in command but the game was back in the melting pot with 10 minutes left when quick thinking from a free kick saw Na Gaeil catch Strand Road napping and a goal resulted to make the score 0-10 to 1-6 in favour of O’Rahillys. The home side then responded in the best possible way with Coffey and O’Brien setting up Keane to stretch the lead to two points once again.
O’Rahillys were inspired now and gained control of the game, with Cormac Coffey and Karl Mullins prominent and Gavin O’Brien showed his class with two interventions in the final minutes.
Firstly, he got on the end of a fine move to blast over a point and then he was played through by Sean Collins and he made no mistake to make it 1-12 to 1-6 to Strand Road. There was a final kick in Na Gaeil though and it took a brilliant save from Gary Kissane, low to his left, to ensure there was no further score in this well contested game in very challenging conditions for both sides.
Kerins O’Rahillys: G Kissane; D McElligott, S Brosnan, D Murphy; C Coffey, K Mullins, S Collins; T Hoare, R Carroll; G O’Brien, T Walsh, J Ferguson; J Savage, S Walsh, BJ Keane. Subs: S Foley, G Savage, R O’Connor, B Scannell, G Dillane.
Credit Union Co League Div 5
Kerins O’Rahillys B 1-07 Kenmare Shamrocks B 0-02
Better use of the elements played a key part in ensuring that O’Rahillys got their Co League Division 5 programme off to a winning start at a bitterly cold, wet and windy Strand Road on Sunday last. Playing into a strong wind, the Blues had the perfect start inside two minutes when half-forward Donagh O’Brien found Con Barrett running off his shoulder and the midfielder in turn placed overlapping centre-back Jason O’Leary who crashed the ball into the net.
Both sides made chances over the next ten minutes but it took a great block from Rob O’Connor to prevent what seemed like a certain equalising goal for Kenmare. The Blues took advantage of this reprieve with a move right up the pitch which saw O’Brien and Barrett combine again and this time Gearóid Dillane found Johnny Keane who opened his account with a fine point.
Kenmare were finding it hard to make best use of the wind and kicked a number of wides, but it took a great save from Shane Foley at the expense of a point to prevent the visitors from narrowing the gap to the bare minimum. However, they made it 1-1 to 0-2 with another fine point from 35 metres straight from the kickout, but Strand Road’s solid spine of Tom McGrath, O’Leary, Barrett and Rory Molloy ensured that there was no further score for the South Kerry outfit in the first half.
O’Rahillys roared into action on the restart and Keane planted a 45 straight over the bar to leave a goal between the teams again. A surge of hailstones followed seven minutes in, but Con Barrett made a surge of his own, playing two “give-and-goes” before setting up Molloy who floated a lovely kick between the sticks from 33 metres.
Another flowing move involving Aaron Roche, O’Brien and Keane then saw Brian Scannell raise a further white flag from 20 metres as the hail showers continued. The home side kept up the pressure and in the 17th minute, O’Leary made another foray upfield, finding Keane with a superb foot pass and the full forward swivelled and fired straight over the black spot for his third point.
This was followed a minute later by a fine point from debutant, Conor Hayes, who picked up a stray pass from Kenmare and soloed through before finishing well to make it 1-6 to 0-2. Hayes featured again with five minutes left when he combined with Barrett to send Dillane through and the resultant foul was punished with another converted 13-metre placed ball from Keane for the final score of the game. In a solid team performance, others to shine for Strand Road were Jordan Foley, Gearóid Hartnett, Kevin Johnson-Horgan, Aidan Mangan and skipper, Kieran Mangan who was solid throughout.
Kerins O’Rahillys: S Foley; J Foley, T McGrath, K Mangan (Capt); B Scannell, J O’Leary, R O’Connor; R Molloy, C Barrett; D O’Brien, A Roche, G Hartnett; K J-Horgan, J Keane, G Dillane. Subs: J Hanafin, A Mangan, M Donnelly, J Quirke, S Duggan, C Gallagher, C Hayes.
CÚINNE NA NÓG
Juvenile Academy
Ballyrickard was the place to be at 11am on Sunday morning last when the Academy kicked off the 2019 season. There were big numbers considering the bitterly cold conditions as the children were eager to return to learning their football skills. Parents and guardians truly enjoyed a warm cuppa as they watched on. Well done to everyone on their first day back. All new members welcome as always.
There is NO Academy next week due to our participation as a club in the St Patrick’s Day Parade. Details of same will be texted out to parents when confirmed.
U12 Boys
In their second Town League game, the under 12s narrowly lost 5-14 to 5-11 to Ardfert on Saturday evening last in Caherslee. After an excellent start we led 3-5 to 1-1 midway through the first half thanks to goals from Jamie McCarthy with two and Nick Lacey with the other. However, Ardfert took control of the middle part of game, scoring 4-9 to our 2-2. Although we recovered well, the gap was too big and Ardfert were deserving winners on the day.
Jamie McCarthy was top scorer for the Blues with 3-6 and was well assisted by Brayden Pierce, Nick Lacey and Cillian McGrath. Man of the match: Conor Cronin.
U14 Boys
We travelled up to John Mitchels for our 3rd game in the Town League on Sunday last. On a bitterly cold and blustery day, the boys played against the strong wind in the 1st half and were down 3-7 to no score at half time. Showing some great spirit, O’Rahillys pulled it back to a four-point deficit with 10 minutes remaining, but this great effort took it’s toll and a Mitchels’ rally saw a final scoreline of 5-7 to 3-3 in their favour. Despite playing well in the desperate conditions, Strand Road still need to beat Austin Stacks in our remaining game to reach the final.
Training for the U12s and U14s continues as normal this week, with the U16s taking to outdoor grass training. All relevant teams will be informed re same via text.
LADIES NOTES
U10 Girls
Killarney Legion are holding a blitz on this coming Saturday, March 16th. More details to follow.
U12 Girls
Training continues in Ballyrickard. The girls are having fun and are continuing to develop their skills under the watchful eyes of Michelle, Rory and Pádraig. We would like to welcome our new girls, Sara and Sophie who joined us on our first glorious Spring evening in Ballyrickard after all the rain we’ve had. We have a bye this weekend so are hoping to play a back game.
U14 Girls
Our round 2 game of the county league was postponed last Friday. We extend our deepest sympathies to Castleisland Desmonds and to the family and friends of Joanne Walmsley. May Joanne Rest In Peace.
In round 3, we are home to Rathmore on bank holiday Monday, March 18th, in Ballyrickard. Time to be confirmed.
U16 Girls
Great progress is being made during training. Participation is good every week because the girls are having fun, developing competence and affiliation.
Training continues on Wednesday in the Sports Complex. Players are asked to be there for 7.35p.m.
Minor Ladies
Training continues on Wednesday evening in preparation for our upcoming games. We are away to Listowel Emmets during the bank holiday weekend – day and time to be confirmed.
Junior Ladies
Round 1 of the county league commences on bank holiday Monday. We are home to Clounmacon in Ballyrickard. Time to be confirmed.
Girls Night Out
Calling all women in Strand Road Club – juvenile, ladies and seniors! On Saturday March 23rd, we are heading out for a meal in Cassidy’s Restaurant. Come join us for a wonderful evening. Whether you’re new to our community or have been involved with us for years, come join us and get to know the other women. For more details phone or text Kathy ( 086) 155 8428 or Shirley (086) 8713552. On the night everyone’s name will be put into a draw and one lucky winner will have her meal paid for to the value of €28.
Registration
Remember please to return your forms and pay the appropriate fee.
SNIPPETS from “top of the right”
· Hard luck to the Kerry hurlers who came up just short in the Division 2A decider versus Westmeath.
. Congrats once again to Tralee’s Ultan Dillane who featured again for Ireland in the convincing Six Nations win over France.
· Rumour has it that Mike Mangan has it in for the Snippets Man! It’s hard to convince some fellas of the value of publicity……..
CONDOLENCES
The club wishes to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of Joan Bernie (nee O’Brien) of Strand Street, Geraldine Lynch-O’Leary of Meadowlands Estate, Frank Sayers of Derryquay, Eddie Clifford of Balbriggan Co. Dublin and late of The Kerries, John Cournane of Rock St and Sean Hutchinson of Rae St. RIP. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.
