Tralee Town Board Senior League
Austin Stacks 4-8 Kerins O’Rahillys 2-8
Our Senior team renewed their rivalry with Austin Stacks at Connolly Park on Saturday last. The game started in bright sunshine with Strand Road playing into the breeze in the first half.
An intercepted handpass led to a move which saw Stacks convert a 13-metre free to open the scoring.
O’Rahillys then gained the initiative and a brilliant ball from Barry John Keane found Sean Walsh, but the Stacks’ keeper pulled off a tremendous save from point-blank range.
The Blues kept pressing though and Daniel Nix fed Jack Savage whose long high delivery into Sean Walsh broke loose around the square and John Ferguson fastened onto the loose ball and steered it into the net.
A foul on Barry John Keane was then punished by Jack Savage from 13 meters to put O’Rahillys three points clear. Stacks replied with a point but inspired by Cormac Coffey, Strand Road regained control and Jack Savage pointed from a 40-metre free.
Stacks matched that score however and it took a fabulous block from David Murphy to prevent what seemed like a certain goal, before Stacks registered another point from a free.
The resultant kickout was marked by Stacks and then quickly transferred to their inside forward line where a 2v1 situation produced the Rockies first goal of the game.
O’Rahillys were doubly penalised when they lost Karl Mullins through injury shortly afterwards, with Shane Brosnan coming in at centre half back.
Seizing the initiative, the Black and Amber then swept down the right and Shane O’Callaghan was suddenly loose inside O’Rahillys defence and the penalty awarded for the resulting foul was coolly converted by O’Callaghan.
Stacks then added another point but with Ryan Carroll and Ross O’Callaghan prominent, O’Rahillys rallied and Nix found Jack Savage whose high delivery from 30 metres was finished to the net by Sean Walsh to reduce the deficit to four points at half time. Austin Stacks 2-5, Kerins O’Rahilllys 2-2.
On the resumption, O’Rahillys immediately reduced the lead with two pointed frees by Savage, one from 40 metres and both awarded for fouls on Walsh.
Stacks replied with a converted free before they wrestled back control when they got inside the Strand Road full back line and finished to the net. They then pointed after another low ball into their inside line punished the visitors, but the Blues matched that when Savage pointed after a foul on Barry John Keane.
Another pointed free saw Stacks stretch their lead and Gearóid Dillane and Con Barrett were introduced by O’Rahillys. A point by Barry John Keane from a John Ferguson pass made it a five-point game.
However, with Ronan Shanahan starting to dictate matters from centre back, Stacks upped the tempo and it took a great save from Gary Kissane to keep Strand Road in touch. The Blues then dropped two efforts into the arms of the Stacks’ goalkeeper, before another brilliant stop from Gary Kissane, this time low to his left, kept O’Rahillys in the game.
However, even Kissane had no answer when Stacks again manufactured a 2v2 situation in the inside forward line and O’Callaghan finished well to put the issue beyond doubt.
O’Rahillys introduced Gearóid Savage and Donagh O’Brien, with O’Brien getting onto ball down the left and the younger of the Savage brothers kicking a good point with his left foot, before another youngster, Gearóid Dillane completed the scoring with a fine point from 45 metres.
Kerins O’Rahillys: G Kissane; S Collins, D Murphy, D McElligott: C Coffey, K Mullins, R O’Connor; R Carroll, R O’Callaghan; BJ Keane, J Savage, T Hoare; D Nix, S Walsh, J Ferguson. Subs: S Brosnan, G Savage, C Barrett, G Dillane, B Scannell, J O’Leary, D O’Brien, G Hartnett.
Tralee Town Board Minor League, Div 1
Our home clash with old rivals, Austin Stacks was moved to Connolly Park on Sunday last. On a cold, windy day, against a strongly fancied Rock outfit, we were favoured by the elements in the first half which exploded into life with four scores in the early exchanges which saw Stacks lead 1-1 to 0-2.
Conor Hayes reduced the deficit from a 40-metre free. Stacks assumed control though and added to their lead and it took some fine defending from Barry Foley and excellent goalkeeping from Joe Hanafin to prevent the black and amber from pulling away.
This resilient defending inspired the Strand Road lads and a sweeping move downfield culminated in Liam Magee placing Conor Hayes who crashed home an unstoppable shot from 12 yards.
Once again, Stacks gained the upper hand and were rewarded with a goal which even Hanafin was helpless to prevent, although he pulled off another super save shortly afterwards to keep alive the hopes of this young Blues outfit, a good clutch of whom are eligible again next year.
Showing great spirit, O’Rahillys rallied and Hayes pointed before TJ McMahon converted a free to narrow the gap further.
Sam McCarthy was then fouled and the impressive Conor O’Sullivan raised another white flag to bring the deficit back to just two points at half time with the visitors trailing by 2-6 to 1-7.
An uphill battle was always on the cards for this valiant Strand Road squad in the second half, with Stacks now playing with a strong wind at their backs.
Sure enough, they made their advantage pay and kicked some fine points, the best of which was 20 metres out from the sideline by Sean Quilter. Superb defending by Stephen Nix then prevented what seemed like a certain goal for the Stacks before a counter attack from O’Rahillys saw Graham O’Carroll combine with Conor Hayes to set up Conor O’Sullivan who was unlucky to see his goal-bound effort just go the wrong side of the post.
Stacks made the most of this reprieve and but for some more fine defending by Barry Foley, ably assisted by Brian O’Dowd, they would have added more scores to their tally, but it was O’Rahillys who had the final say when Conor Hayes converted a free with the last play of the game.
This was another gutsy and very spirited performance, which will stand this squad in good stead for the Co Minor League, which starts next Saturday, 16th February, with an away game v Renard/St Marys at 3pm in a South Kerry venue.
LADIES NOTES
U12 GIRLS
Training continues in The Sports Complex this Tuesday, February 12th, 5-6p.m. Outdoor training commences this week, texts will be sent.
U14 GIRLS
Training continues indoors on Tuesday at the same time. Outdoor training commences in Ballyrickard this Thursday, February 14th, 6.30p.m. – 7.30p.m.
U16 GIRLS
Outdoor training Tuesdays and Thursdays 6.30 – 7.30p.m. in Ballyrickard.
MINOR AND JUNIORS
Outdoor training Tuesdays and Thursdays 6.30p.m. – 7.30p.m.
RECRUITMENT
New girls welcome for all age groups. For further details phone or text Shirley (086) 8713552. Being involved in a club like ours is giving you and your daughter new friends, new challenges, so many lessons and some of the best memories. We are a club that cares for our community and involves them in everything we do.
KERRY v WATERFORD
We were honoured to host Round 2 of the National Senior Ladies League in Strand Road on Saturday last. The game ended in a draw. Best of luck to the Kerry Ladies for this year!
PARENTS ACTION AND CARE
We will have a meeting in Kerins O’Rahilly’s Club, Strand Road this Monday, February 11th 7.30p.m. – 9p.m.
This is a support and action group for parents and other family members and friends of children suffering with mental health issues. All welcome. Remember you are not alone. Come meet, talk, share and listen. Connect with others in your community.
JUVENILE ACADEMY
The Academy kicked off at 11am in Tralee Sports Comlex on Sunday morning last and attracted a large attendance. The children were all enthusiastic & full of energy to start off the football season.
The coaches as always started off with enthusiasm to teach the football skills in a friendly atmosphere.
The U6 Boys & Girls, along with the U8 & U10 girls enjoyed their training from 11am-12 noon.
From 12-1pm the U8 & U10 boys enjoyed learning & practicing their football skills outdoors. There was a great buzz, kicking off a new year.
The U12 Boys training will continue as usual on Wednesday, indoors in the Green school from 6-7pm. The U14s also train at this time indoors in the Green.
The U14s also trained last Sunday afternoon at 12.30pm in Ballyrickard in preparation for their season. The Town League starts next Sunday, 17th Feb, at 11am in Ballyrickard, where Na Gaeil provide our first opposition. It will run for five consecutive weeks, on Sundays at 11am and we wish our U14s every success and enjoyment.
The U16s start training this Wednesday 13th, in John Mitchel’s complex at 6pm.
FIXTURES
Saturday, 16th February
Co Minor League – Renard/St Marys v Kerins O’Rahillys. 3pm
Sunday 17th February
Tralee Town Board Senior League – Ballymacelligott v Kerins O’Rahillys. 12.30pm
Tralee Town Board U14 League – Kerins O’Rahillys v Na Gaeil. 11am @ Pat Healy Park, Ballyrickard
SNIPPETS from “top of the right”
· Senior player, Gavin O’Brien electrified Austin Stack Park with his performance for Kerry in that cracking win over reigning National League champions Dublin on Saturday night last.
· Tommy Walsh and David Moran also played key roles in Kerry’s victory, with Tommy having a major influence on his introduction at half time and David showing all his experience when setting up the winning point for Peter Crowley, which ensures that the Kingdom share top spot with Mayo after three rounds of the competition.
· Warmest congratulations to Beaufort and Kilcummin. All Ireland Club Junior and Intermediate Champions respectively.
· There’s a rumour that the All Blacks have already made enquiries about Senior Panellist, Shane McElligott…..
CONDOLENCES
The club wishes to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of Maurice (Mossie) O’Connor of Lohercannon and formerly Caherslee RIP. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
