Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club News

Seniors:

County league resumes this coming weekend when we welcome our old rivals, Austin Stacks to Strand Road.

This game will take place on Sunday afternoon 23rd April with a throw in time of 2  pm – though two valuable county league points are on offer there will be no further motivation needed then when the Black and Amber are the opposition.

Our division 6 team will also be in county league action when taking on Beaufort on Sat evening at 6.30 pm in Strand Road.

Masters Challenge:

Seán Duggan from Caherslee was the winner of the top prize of €750 in our recent Masters Challenge – Seán had 4 shots in hand of his nearest challenger, Jordan Foley and a  further shot ahead of club stalwart Ger “ Mazie “ Moran – Jordan picks up €150 and Mazie €100.

We would like to thank all who helped make this Challenge the best yet since its inception in 2012 – a lot of work goes on behind the scenes but without our supporters it would not have been the success it was. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.

Congratulations to our vice chair Declan Quill on Kerry ladies national league win on Sat when overcoming Galway in the final on a scoreline of 5-11 to 1-10. Declan along with Dara Long has  now guided Kerry to back to back national league victories having won Division 2 only last year – this is a tremendous feat to annex the Division 1 title in their first year of promotion.

Kerry:

All-Ireland champions Kerry get their title defence up and running next Saturday, April 22 with a Munster semi-final at home to Tipperary. Throw-in at the Fitzgerald Stadium is at 4pm.

Victory would tee up a Munster final against Clare or Limerick on Sunday, May 7 with the decider expected to take place in Limerick regardless of the opposition.

Kerry have an alternating home and away arrangement with Limerick that includes Munster finals. Last year Kerry hosted the Treaty in Killarney.

Kerry and Clare also have an alternating home and away arrangement but this excludes Munster finals. The last two Munster finals between Kerry and Clare (1992 and 1997) took place at the Gaelic Grounds.

The Munster Championship itself remains unchanged in 2023 but the revamped Sam Maguire/Tailteann Cup structure means that things are a little more complicated thereafter. This year, for the first time ever, league standings will play a role in the championship.

The new format will see 16 counties competing for the Sam Maguire Cup while the remaining teams will take part in the Tailteann Cup.

The eight provincial finalists will advance to the All-Ireland round robin series (four groups of four) where they will be joined by last year’s Tailteann Cup winners Westmeath and the next seven highest ranked teams in this year’s National League. (If Westmeath reach the Leinster final, it will be the next eight highest ranked teams.)

This means that even if Kerry are defeated by Tipperary in next week’s Munster semi-final, they are still guaranteed a spot in the last 16 thanks to their fifth-place finish in Division 1. In this event, they can be drawn in any of the four groups.

The draw for the round robin series will take place on Tuesday, May 2 – before the provincial finals are played.

If Kerry reach the Munster final and lose, they will qualify for the round robin series as a provincial runner-up (second seed). They can be drawn in any group not containing the Munster champions.

If Kerry win Munster, they will advance to the round robin series as first seed. They will be joined in a group of four by a runner-up from another province and two other teams who will qualify via their league placing (or Westmeath).

If they are a top seed, Kerry’s first match will be at home to the third seed on May 20/21; their second match will be away to the fourth seed on June 3/4; and their third match will be against the group’s provincial runner-up at a neutral venue on June 17/18.

The top team in each group advances to the All-Ireland quarter-finals. Second and third in each group advance to the preliminary quarter-finals on June 24/25 with the second place teams getting home advantage. The fourth-place team in each group is eliminated.

The All-Ireland quarter-finals will be staged on July 1/2.

The All-Ireland semi-finals will be staged on July 15/16. If the provincial champions qualify for the semi-finals then Munster will play Connacht and Leinster will play Ulster.

The All-Ireland final is fixed for Sunday, July 30.

KEY DATES

April 22 Munster Semi-Final

May 7 Munster Final

May 20-June 18 All-Ireland Round Robin Series

June 24/25 All-Ireland Preliminary Quarter-Finals

July 1/2 All-Ireland Quarter-Finals

July 15/16 All-Ireland Semi-Finals

July 30 All-Ireland Final

Lotto:

The lotto jackpot is a whopping €6,600 this coming Monday night ( 17th) – tickets are €2 each or 3 for €5 – tickets can be purchased in any of the following outlets – The Klub, Rock St PO, Jimmy’s Food Store or Bettys Bar – you can also play online by scanning the QR Code which is available online on Facebook/Twitter.

Juveniles:

Beautiful sunshine shone on us Sunday morning at academy training in Tralee Sports Complex. It was great to see so many in attendance again this week enjoying themselves. We can’t wait to return to Ballyrickard next Sunday for the rest of the season. Please keep an eye on clubzap for all notifications re training and games.

*U5 Boys: *

Another super Sunday session was enjoyed by these boys. They practiced their kicking and hopping and played lots of fun games throughout the session. We look forward to seeing everyone again next week.

*U6 Girls: *

Well done to all the U6 girls for a great training session on Sunday. Our skills are improving, especially our hops they are fantastic and we said we could work on our hand passing for this week. Even if you only do 10 passes to anyone at home before our next session. Welcome to our newest team member Zoe. We hope you enjoy every minute and we’ll see you all again next week.

*U7 Boys: *

Another enthusiastic training session with these boys. They practiced their skills while enjoying fun drills and games. And finished off with a game against each other. Great skills and team work on show throughout. Keep up the good work and we’ll see you all again next week.

*U8 & U10 Girls: *

A great session was had on Sunday in the sunshine. The girls really enjoyed it. They did a good warm up, followed by some soft skills in the form of hand passing and kicking. We did a couple of roller ball which are always a big hit. We then split up the U8s and U10s. Liam and Denise took the U8s for a match and Ricky and Shane took the U10s. They played a couple of fierce competitive matches and showed their progress since the start of the year during the game.

*U9 Boys: *

This week’s U9 training session was a real success. The kids practiced their skills and the warm weather definitely added some extra energy and enthusiasm. Everyone is looking forward to welcoming John Mitchell’s to Ballyrickard next week for our first Go-Game at 10am. Keep up the practice during the week boys.

*U11 Boys*

Our U11s had a great session in Ballyrickard this morning. Great numbers in attendance again this week. We played lots of mini games and finished with a full game to practice for the Go Games that are coming up. This Thursday 20th April we play Na Gaeil in Na Gaeil pitch everyone to be there for 6.10pm throw in is at 6.30pm. Keep up the practice.

*U13 Boys: *

KOR U13 A team had an inspiring win at Ballyrickard vs St Michaels Foilmore Skellig Rangers on a score line of 3-15 to 1-16 . With all six starting forwards scoring and keeping the scoreboard ticking over nicely, aided by an excellent defensive block with Cian Fitzgerald and Shea Bowler the driving force behind them. Ryan Nix made some amazing saves and his distribution from kickouts started attack after attack.

The U13 B team went down on a score line of 4-14 to 3-4 to St Pats in a battling performance where every boy did the Jersey proud. Special thanks to the 4 U11 boys Oisin Priestley, Harry O Mahony, Fionan Smith and

Daire Hanlon that started this game and look like great prospects for the future well done everyone. Training continues in Ballyrickard 6.30pm this Wednesday and Friday.

Our A team are away to Scartaglin next Sunday 23rd April at 6pm and our B team are home to Moyvane on Sunday 23rd April time for this fixture TBC.

*U15 Boys:*

Div 5A V Waterville was cancelled due to the weather conditions last Wednesday.

Div 9C V G’flesk/ Kilgarvan took place on Friday 14th April. When we travelled to Glenflesk we were missing a few regulars but were able to field a team with the help of some of our U13 players. The boys put in a mighty effort especially in the second half where we took most of our scoring chances and were unlucky not to add a few more to the scoreboard. Our opponents were well deserved winners on the night.

This weeks fixtures:

U15 Div. 5A V Finuge

Wednesday 19th April in Finuge at 7pm

U15 Div. 9C V Kenmare

Friday 21st April in Ballyrickard at 7pm

Everyone in the Juvenile Academy would like to congratulate our own Declan Quill on the fantastic achievement and win the Kerry Ladies had over the weekend.

Huge thank you to our main Sponsor Ballyseedy Home and Garden Centre for their continued support. Please ensure you have paid your membership through clubzap. We have posted a short video on our Facebook and Instagram account to assist you in downloading the app and paying membership.

We will be using clubzap for all communication regarding your child’s group so please make sure you keep an eye on it.

NÓTAÍ NA mBAN

Phenomenal… the destination of the Lidl, division 1,Ladies National League Football final became known last Saturday evening in Croke Park when our county’s senior players met Galway.

We all wondered if it would go West or would it make its way down to the Kingdom and …

What a magical year it has been so far for the Kerry Senior ladies, management, the senior executive and our club vice chair and Kerry ladies joint manager Declan Quill.

Last Saturday, we watched an incredible game of football and I am sure that most of us were blown away by every element of our senior ladies performance.

This triumph is a massive boost to ladies football in our county. Playing at this level provides something for our young girls to look up to and copy.. they also will want to aim for the stars. An achievement like this is definitely a great platform to build on for clubs everywhere. Ladies football is very popular now all over Europe.

Congrats to everyone involved and let us not forget the back room team who also volunteer their time and are so dedicated.

May our county senior ladies be the flame that forever flickers for us and the light that never goes out.

Huge congrats also to the Kerry Camogie team who won the National Camogie League division 2A final last Sunday.

Ciarraí Abú!

If you or your daughter are interested in playing please text or what’s app Shirley for details on training times (086)8713552.

U12 GIRLS

The youngest of our ladies will begin their campaign in the North Kerry League next Wednesday, April 19th in Knocknagoshel. It will be this team’s first time playing together as many of the players have come up from last year’s U10s.

We look forward to seeing you play.

Throw in will be at 7pm. v Knocknagoshel / Brosna. Hopefully the weather should be okay too, fingers and toes crossed! Best of luck with your future endeavours in 2023…

Training this week will be on Monday at 6pm. and on Saturday at 12p.m.

U14 GIRLS

Despite the heavy rain over the past few weeks which has played havoc all over the county, our pitch was declared playable.

On what turned out to be a lovely sunny afternoon both Kilcummin and ourselves took to the field in Ballyrickard for round 3 of the NCP Co. League. The game got off to a later than expected throw in but the players and spectators didn’t mind because of the beautiful day that was in it.

Both teams were full of will and determination and gave it their all. Our ladies went on a streak of goal scoring which really shook up the opposition’s defence.

Despite valiant efforts by the visiting team there was no comeback.

Both teams showed great skill, spirit and tenacity and fantastic team work from both sides .

Best wishes to Kilcummin for the remainder of the competition.

In our next round we host Ballymacelligott on Sunday, April 23rd. Time TBC.

U16 GIRLS

We played Chorca Dhuibhne last Wednesday evening in the Gallarus pitch in the Gaeltacht .Though  a long journey back we had a great turnout for the game and the weather stayed fine throughout .We got off to a good start with a goal and point but Corca Dhuibhne with the aid of the breeze came back into the game .

Both sides dominated throughout the hour and Millie Hayes, captain had a fine game in goals and was ably assisted in the backline by Bjanka Qatja, Donna Regan (until injured )and Mia Molloy, Caoilainn Culloo and Caragh Houlihan .

Saoirse O’ Connor MacCarthy and Taylor Stack put in a fine hour’s  football and others to catch the eye were Córa Meehan, Anna Corridon, Aoibheann McCarthy, Kelly Fitzgerald, Fiadh McCarthy, Sara Reka, Erika Slattery, Aimee Turner and Molly Casey.

Great credit to all the parents who drove and supported the girls on the night and Mike, Dan, Rory and Shirley.Next game is against Ballymacelligott at home , throw-in will be at 7p.m.

Best wishes to the team and management.

MINORS

Our minors were all set and planned to be in full force last Wednesday to play round 1 of the county league. We were looking forward to hosting Kilcummin. Unfortunately the “storm with no name” hit and ruined their game.

An orange weather warning for wind and rain was given so in the interest of safety for everyone all LGFA activities were cancelled in the county.

In round 2, we are away to Rathmore on April 26th ( TBC.)

SENIOR LADIES

After a long break from competition the ladies came back with a bang last Sunday morning in Ballyrickard pitch when they notched up 1-09 to Beale’s  2-03 in round 2 of the Donal Curtin Cup. This was a very welcome result for the team as it has been a while since we tasted success. This result came from a great effort from the team .

It was great to see the minors playing up and we welcomed a new face sporting the blue and white jersey for our seniors, Churchill’s Jessica McGibney who is on permission to play with our seniors. This was her first run with the team. A warm welcome to you Jessica and great to have you on board.

CONGRATS TO KERRY’S U16s

What a great weekend for the Kerry U16s and management.

Kelly Fitzgerald was part of the Kerry U16A team who defeated Waterford and won the Munster B Final last Friday evening in Mallow.

Saoirse O’ Connor MacCarthy and Aoibheann McCarthy were part of the U16 B team who defeated Tipperary and won the Sharon O’ Keeffe B Final in Mallow last Sunday

Well done girls,Ciarraí Abú!

SAFEGUARDING

There will be a further level 1 child safeguarding workshop in Strand Road this Thursday, April 20th.

CONDOLENCES

Our condolences to the families and friends of Christopher Robbins, Eddie McQueen, Kathleen McGuire (née Hartnett ) and Craig Breen. May their souls rest in peace.

Keep in touch:

We would love to hear from you if you have any items of interest that you would like to have included in our weekly updates – contact can be made by emailing pro.kerinsorahillys.kerry@gaa.ie