Kerry Petroleum Club Championship
Kerins O’Rahillys 1-14 Dr Crokes 1-18
O’Rahillys were always going to be up against it in this crucial Round Three club championship game. Fielding without their Kerry contingent of Gavin O’Brien, Tommy Walsh and David Moran, Strand Road were dealt another blow when they lost Sean Walsh to injury during the warm-up.
Nevertheless, the Blues tore into the game and were two points up from play inside the first couple of minutes courtesy of fine scores from Karl Mullins and Barry John Keane. In the 16th minute, the Tralee side’s cruel luck continued when they lost the unfortunate Danny O’Sullivan to injury, with Sean Collins deputising.
At that stage, Crokes had just goaled to add to their earlier two points and were 1-2 to 0-3 up, with Jack Savage having pointed a free for Strand Road’s third score.
The home side then controlled the next six minutes, kicking five points without reply from a Jack Savage free, Keane from play and another three fine points from play in a four-minute spell from Gearoid Savage.
However, Crokes then placed huge pressure on the Strand Road kickout and they proceeded to kick the remaining seven points of the half, five from play and two frees, to leave the half time score at 1-9 to 0-8 in their favour.
O’Rahillys began the second half as they had the first, with two points from play inside two minutes from Jack Savage and Keane to make it a two-point game, but Crokes replied with three points of their own before the home side introduced Conor Hayes who went on to show his potential with a fine display.
The teams exchanged points, Cormac Coffey with a monstrous effort for Strand Road, before Crokes added three more to a sole reply from another Jack Savage placed ball. With five minutes remaining, O’Rahillys were given a lifeline when Keane goaled with the help of a deflection and when Con Barrett added a point it left the score at 1-16 to 1-13 in Crokes’ favour.
However, with Strand Road pushing up in search of a goal to rescue the game, the visitors took advantage to go four points up and although the Blues replied through Tommy Walsh, on as a late substitute, Crokes countered against the stretched defence and scored the insurance point from the penalty spot to seal the victory.
They now progress to the final, while O’Rahillys will concentrate on their Co League campaign which resumes on May 12th next at home to Rathmore.
Kerins O’Rahillys: G Kissane; D McElligott, R O’Callaghan, D Murphy; D O’Sullivan, R Carroll, C Coffey; S Brosnan, C Barrett; K Mullins, T Hoare, G Dillane; G Savage, J Savage, BJ Keane. Subs: S Collins, T Walsh, S Walsh, S Foley, P Griffin, J O’Leary, B Scannell, D Nix, J Keane, D O’Brien, A Roche, K Mangan, A Mangan, Rob O’Connor, G Hartnett, C Hayes, J Foley, B Foley.
CÚINNE NA NÓG
EASTER FOOTBALL CAMP
The Easter Camp starts in the main club, Strand Road at 10.30am on Wednesday 24th, Thursday 25th and Friday 26th April. Hope to see you all there.
CROKE PARK TRIP
The U12s outing to Croke Park on Good Friday went down a treat. What a special day for all the boys and their mentors! The sun shined all day and as always it’s such a special day to visit GAA Headquarters – let alone play on the hallowed turf. All the boys dream of playing there with the club on St Patrick’s Day, or in the green & gold for their county someday and the itinerary included a tour of the ground, the press room, warm up room & dressing rooms. They were given a pep talk by David Clifford before their first game where he encouraged them all with some words of wisdom. He also joined their mentors on the sideline during their games. Thanks to all their mentors and parents who travelled on the day. Some special memories to be treasured!
JUVENILE ACADEMY
On a beautiful Easter Sunday morning in Ballyrickard, the Academy swung into gear at 11am in the glorious sunshine. The children all played well in anticipation of the Easter Bunny’s arrival with Easter eggs. The parents all watched on enjoying some Easter home baking with the traditional warm cuppa. A big congratulations to our players of the week, namely;
U6: Mia Keane &Cameron Donnelly
U8 Girls: Katie Higgins
U8 Boys: Harry O’Mahoney
U10: Callum Ross
The Academy returns next Sunday, April 28th in Ballyrickard at 11am.
EASTER PARTY
Like all club activities, our Easter Party is an inclusive occasion for our children & club community. This year’s event was held in Charlie’s Bistro in the main club on Easter Monday last. There was plenty of fun for everyone, ranging from face painting to puppet shows, with treats galore and all had a great time.
RESULT
U16s: Kerins O’Rahillys 1-14 Glenbeigh/Glencar/Cromane 1-6
FIXTURES
U14s at home to St Pat’s, Wednesday 24th April at 7pm in Round 3 of the County League.
U12s away to Renard, Thursday 25th April at 7pm, also in Round 3 of the County League.
U16s: Gaeltacht v Kerins O’Rahillys – cancelled
U14 team
Round 3 County League: Kerins O’Rahillys 2-10 Na Gaeil 2-09
We made the short trip across town to play league leaders Na Gaeil last Wednesday evening. In our previous meeting in the town league we won comfortably, but this match was a much tighter affair.
The half time scoreline was level at four points apiece, with our scores coming from Cian Lynch, Conor Cronin and Tomas Kennedy (0-2). The team were playing well with the backs marking tightly and captain Cian Moran marshalling the defence from full back. The second half continued in similar fashion with neither side dominating the play.
However with 10 minutes remaining and the introduction of some fresh legs, O’Rahillys hit a purple patch scoring two goals through Odhran Kerins and Conor Cronin to lead by six points. Na Gaeil looked out of it at this stage, but to their credit, they stormed back and scored a brace of themselves. With time running out, we made one last attack and were awarded a free close to the sideline.
Tomas stepped up and made no mistake, putting it over to seal our first win in the league. The squad gave it their all with Seamus Brayden and Cian M the pick of the backs, with Ryan and Tomas clocking up the miles in midfield and good work in the forwards from Adam ,Jamie and Odhran Kerins.
Our subs Oisin, Ruairi and especially Nick Lacey were instrumental in getting us the win. Scorers: Conor Cronin (1-02), Tomas K (0-4), Odhran Kerins (1-01), Cian Lynch (0-1), Nick Lacey (0-2). Well done to the whole panel.
LADIES NOTES
U10 GIRLS – TRIP TO CROKER
What a day was had by all! – the girls, their coaches and the parents and siblings who travelled to Croke Park last Monday on the first day of the Easter holidays. An experience never to be forgotten by any of us. It was magical – for the girls themselves playing in Croker, their coaches Pádraig, Rory and Rachel and for all of us watching.
Huge thanks to Eleanor and Roy from Sandy Feet Farm who kindly treated everyone to food in the Barak Obama Plaza on the way home. Thanks also to Dan in Bodibro for collecting our gear from Dublin Airport and waiting for us. We were definitely the best dressed as we entered Croke Park with pride, clad in our new half zips, skinnies and jerseys .
A great experience and memories that the girls will always have. Well done girls, you are a credit to yourselves, your families and our club.
We will be hosting U8 and U10 Go Games in June. Emails will be sent to all clubs shortly.
U12 GIRLS
Well done girls in your away match to Duagh last Wednesday in the North Kerry preliminaries. Final score 4-03 to 2-09. The County League commences shortly. Fixtures will be sent to parents during the week.
U14 GIRLS
Last Thursday evening we travelled down to South Kerry to play ISG in the non-county player County League. Unfortunately for us, ISG came out on top after a tight battle with a final scoreline of 4-6 to 4-1. Well done girls to each of you and to our captain on the night, Lia McLysaght who showed great leadership skills. Everyone put in a great effort.
Last Saturday the girls headed to the Kerry GAA Centre of Excellence in Currans to participate in the 2019 Féile qualifiers. It was a glorious day.
The reward from the hard work over the past few years is that the girls now compete in Division 2. We were drawn against 3 Division 1 teams – Southern Gaels, Cromane and Ballymac. All of our girls showed massive heart and pride in their Kerins O’Rahillys’ jersey – giving each game 110%.
We found ourselves punching above our weight as each game was very tough with the standard being so high, but fantastic to watch. We didn’t go down without a fight, narrowly losing to Cromane and Ballymac.
We played Southern Gaels who were just sensational to watch and to prove it they are representing Kerry in the 2019 Division 1 and 2 Féile in Connacht. Best wishes to them and congratulations. We would like to thank all the girls who never give up and who consistently give it all, week in and week out . Thanks to all the parents and management also on the day.
U16 GIRLS
After our recent thrilling drawn encounter v Fossa, we are away to Beale/Ballyduff on Thursday, April 25th. Throw in at 7pm in Beale pitch.
Continued best wishes to Ciara Madden for a speedy recovery after her injury in the last game.
MINOR LADIES
Best of luck to the girls who are home to Beale/Ballyduff on Easter Monday. Throw in at 5.30pm in Strand Road.
SENIOR LADIES
Our senior ladies made their debut in the county league when they were away to a very strong Ballymac side last Thursday. It was great to field a team after many years. Many thanks to their coaches for all their hard work in getting this crew together. Well done ladies. Training continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Looking forward to seeing old and new faces.
RECRUITMENT
We continue to recruit. Remember it’s never too late to start. Everyone in our ladies club is well looked after and we want for nothing thanks to our senior club.
Bring a friend. All welcome! For further details contact Shirley (086) 8713552.
EASTER CAMP
For anyone interested in attending the camp, please contact Shirley (086) 8713552. It will be run in Strand Road pitch on Wednesday 24th, Thursday 25th and Friday 26th from 10.30am – 2pm, at a cost for the three days of €20 for one child and €30 for a family of two or more children from the same family (siblings). All welcome!
FUNDRAISER
Kerry Ladies are having a night at the dogs on Saturday, May 25th. We ask that everyone buys one ticket please at a cost of €10 each. These will be on sale at training sessions, from Strand Road Club and are also available to buy from Shirley. It promises to be a great night with plenty of fun and entertainment, raffles etc. Please support. Thank you!
SNIPPETS from “top of the right”
· Despite losing to Dr Crokes, there was a lively atmosphere after the game in the club bar with some great music provided for all those patrons who stayed on afterwards – with the disappointment fading as the craic got better!
· There were technical difficulties with the Twitter account in the first half – apologies – but the Snippets man came to the rescue at half time.
· Visiting Laois man, Sean Phelan (husband of Paula Hanafin of Kerins Park), was delighted to see Eoin Liston attending the game.
· “The Bomber” was a hero to Sean’s late father.
· Speaking of the Hanafins, the Snippets man hears that Denis is a great cook.
· Francie Quill says it’s all a cod….
CONDOLENCES
All at the club wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the Quirke family of Kerins Park on the sudden death of Donie. Funeral arrangements to follow. Condolences also to the family and friends of Paddy Ryan of Ballymullen. RIP. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.
