Seniors: It took a display of guts, heart and endurance to ensure we retained our senior status when defeating Kilcummin 2-12 to 1-10 in the curtain raiser to the county senior final played in Austin Stack Park today.
The scheduling of the game in taking place prior to the county final was in itself painful just two weeks after we lost the semi final by a point to South Kerry – it was a test of our mental state as much as of our intestinal fortitude and must have been a source of much worry for management in the past two weeks.
The loss of key players like Tommy Walsh, John Ferguson and Karl Mullins placed an additional burden on the squad but in a tense and oft times nervy game we finally came good in the second half when outscoring Kilcummin by 1-08 to 0-06.
The game’s opening score fell to Kilcummin when former county keeper Brendan Kealy came up from his defence to land a fine score and they quickly added another from the boot of Noel Duggan to leave them two ahead before we had our first score from a Jack Savage free on the 8th minute.
We added another from Barry John shortly afterwards but Kilcummin seemed to be that bit sharper in the tackle and led 0-04 to 0-02 after 20 minutes we after we had kicked 3 wides from play and frees.
The first big moment of the game arrived in the 23rd minute when following a sweeping movement up field involving Padraig Griffin and Tommy Begley, Barry John was hauled down in the square as he was about to shoot – the referee correctly awarded the penalty but kept his cards in his pocket when it looked a black card offence – Jack placed his shot low to his left but Brendan Kealy was equal to the effort and pulled off a fine save.
Jack made amends shortly after when firing over from a free but as the half time whistle approached we were caught napping in defence and Kevin McCarthy stole in to find the corner of Gary Kissane’s net .
This was a real body blow but we recovered just as quickly and when the ball found its way to Barry John 13 metres from goal he hammered his shot to the left corner giving Kealy no chance – half time saw the sided tied @ 1-04 apiece.
We resumed with the breeze to our backs but again Kilcummin were first to break away and notched two quick points.
However we were now winning the battle around the middle with David Moran outstanding, and we raised 4 white flags without reply to lead 1-08 to 1-06 after 38 minutes – Barry John with 3 ( one a real beauty from the stand side) and Jack Savage from a free.
Kilcummin reduced the deficit to the minimum again but Jack pushed us two clear and further scores from Barry John and Rory Molloy ( in as a sub) had us 1-11 to 1-07 in front with 13 minutes remaining.
Again Kilcummin responded and we led by two, 1-12 to 1-10 with 7 minutes remaining. Then a sideline ball from Jack landed in the square and Gavin O’Brien out jumped everybody to flick the ball to the net thus ending the game as a contest.
This was to be the final score despite 5 additional minutes of play and we saw out the game in convincing fashion which will see us once again play in the senior county championship in 2018.
Well done to the team, management and all our supporters – we have made sound progress this year, the younger members of the squad have gained valuable experience in big games and seeing South Kerry just fail by two points to Dr Crokes shows where we are in the pecking order – this year’s experience can be the corner stone for 2018 and beyond and the future looks very bright.
Junior Blues:
Last week we had our canal sponsored walk. Thanks to everyone who participated, contributed and helped out. Congrats to Luca Fusco who is the winner of the €50 voucher.
Halloween Party
What better way to start the mid-term break with a party. Next Sunday, October 29th we invite you the Strand Road community to join us in Charlie’s Bistro. Commencing at 2p.m. sharp we will have plenty of entertainment including a puppet show, magic, balloons, face painting, disco, raffles, games, trick-or- treating bags etc. Children are welcome to come in fancy dress if they wish.
Many thanks to Quirke Security who have sponsored us by giving us a tablet for a free draw.
Eileen and Tom are looking forward to welcoming everyone and will have a tasty menu with Sunday specials.
Hope to see you on Sunday. All welcome! And always remember ‘Your club, your community ‘.
Well done to our Seniors on Sunday on a great win.
Ladies:
U8 and U10 Girls
The girls got together on Saturday evening and were treated to a bite to eat in Burger King compliments of the juvenile club.
U12 Girls
Indoor training continues this Wednesday with Diarmuid in CBS, The Green 6p.m. – 7p.m.
The team will have a day out in November. More details to follow.
U13 North Kerry District Blitz
This is fixed for next Sunday, October 29th in The John Mitchels Complex. There will be five district teams taking part – Tralee, North Kerry, Feale Gaeils, St. Kierans and West Kerry.
The competition starts at 10.45a.m.
More details to follow during the week.
U14 Girls
Indoor training continues this Wednesday in CBS, The Green with Diarmuid .
We have 2 more games to play. Texts will be sent . The team will have a day out in November. More details to follow.
U16 Girls
Training continues indoor in CBS, The Green on Wednesday. The team will have a day out in November. More details to follow.
Minor Ladies
There will be a blitz on bank holiday Monday, October 30th. More details to follow.
Indoor training continues in CBS, The Green with Diarmuid on Wednesday.
Diarmuid is currently running a pre season fantastic offer for male and female G.A.A. players in his gym Dynamic Strength and Conditioning in Monavalley. Text Diarmuid on (086) 3693131 for more details. Also on Friday evenings at 7p.m. Diarmuid has a pay as you go class for anyone who is interested. Just text him.
Canal Sponsored Walk
Congrats to our U14 Fayth Efegbare who was the lucky winner of the €50 voucher.
Lotto: This week’s lotto jackpot of €9,700 was not won where the winning numbers drawn were: 23, 24, 25 & 31. There was no match 3 winners. The five entrants for the special December draw are as follows:
Edmund Quirke, Paddy Foley, Meliss, Rachel and Ryan, J T O’Sullivan & Seán Kerins. Next week’s jackpot will be for a prize of €9,800.
Mental Fitness in Sport: On Friday night the 17th Nov, in conjunction with State of Mind, we will be holding an information evening in Strand Road for parents and coaches of our under age boys and girls teams; an invitation to this event will shortly be extended to all parents & coaches – please mark this date in your diary as it promises to be a most informative and interesting evening.
PRO Contact: If you have any thing you feel is of interest for the Kerins O’Rahillys notes please get in touch. You can contact me at pro.kerinsorahillys.kerry@g aa.ie. Why not join our Facebook group to keep up to date with all fixtures and what is going on in the club? Just follow the following linkhttps://www.facebook.com/g roups/Narries/ or follow us on Twitter @korgaaAlso, we are on line @ www.kerinsorahillys.com
