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Kerry Petroleum Senior Club Football Championship semi final:Spa 0-16 Kerins O’Rahilly’s 1-16 )
A penalty converted by Kerry senior Jack Savage in the 40th minute proved crucial as Kerins O’Rahilly’s saw off the challenge of a gallant Spa side but only after extra time in this Kerry Senior Club Championship semi-final played at the Spa GAA Grounds, Killarney. They will now play Templenoe in the club final later in the year.
Spa have been the surprise packets of this year’s Senior Club Championship. They beat Dingle and Na Gaeil and drew with Kenmare Shamrocks to top their group.
They were now meeting last year’s beaten county championship finalists Kerins O’Rahilly’s in the semi-final in an acid test of how far they’d come.
The Tralee side were dealt a couple of body blows in recent weeks, losing Cormac Coffey, their outstanding attacking defender who has moved to Dubai, and Tommy Walsh picked up an injury against Austin Stacks and will be out for a couple of more weeks,and Donagh Buckley out for remainder of season.
Conor Hayes and Con Barrett are also rehabbing from injury so Kerins O’Rahilly’s were not at full strength.
But this epic was keenly fought with referee Sean Joy issuing multiple yellow cards, four black cards and two red cards, much to the bemusement of the large attendance.
Spa looked the better side in the opening half as Kerins O’Rahilly’s lost two players to black cards, Gavin O Brien after just three minutes and Jack Savage were the first to go in the 12th minute after a running battle with his Kerry teammate Dan O’Donoghue which continued all game until both received second yellows in the 54th minutes and two reds followed.
But there was also some excellent football played among the frequent flurry of cards and at half time Spa looked the better side leading 0-8 to 0-6. In fact, Spa led 0-5 to 0-1 at the end of the opening quarter thanks to points from Evan Cronin (3), Eoin Fitzgerald and Mike Foley while Jack Savage replied for Strand Road with a mark.
But with David Moran and Gavin O’Brien now dominant at midfield and Gearóid Savage working hard, the Tralee side fought back with a peach of a point from David Moran, and two Tom Hoare frees. Ryan Carroll, Evan Cronin and Mike Foley pushed Spa clear but Jack Savage returned from his black exile to kick two fine points and Spa retired 0-8 to 0-6 in front.
Tom Hoare then closed the gap to one from the throw in but David Spillane and Evan Cronin increased the lead to 0-10 to 0-7. Savage with another free and David Moran rolling back the years kicked a massive point to close the gap to a single point with 38 minutes gone.
Then came the pivotal moment in the 40th minute when big Diarmuid O’Sullivan was pushed as he tried to field a high ball in the box, and Jack Savage beat Devane low to the keeper’s right.
Now it was Spa who were chasing the game and when Evan Cronin leveled in the 63rd minute after Ross O’Callaghan had been black carded, Spa launched one final attack and Cian Tobin saw his effort for a winning point for Spa come back off the post and so to extra time.
Spa never scored in the opening period of extra time with Barry John Keane, Conor Hayes and T J Heaphy adding Strand Road points and though Conor Stack got a point back for a Spa, they conceded a second penalty and Barry John Keane tapped it over the bar as Kerins O’Rahilly’s just got over the line.
Scorers for Kerins O’Rahilly’s: J Savage (1-5, 2f’s, 1m), T Hoare ( 0-3, 2f’s), D Moran and B J Keane( 0-1pen) 0-2 each, G Savage, T J Heaphy, C Hayes and S Walsh ( 0-1 each).
Scorers for Spa: E Cronin (0-6, 2f’s, 1m), M Foley (0-4, 3f’s), S Cronin (0-2), E Fitzgerald, R Carroll, C Stack and D Spillane (0-1 each).
SPA: J Devane; E O’Donoghue, D O’Donoghue, E Fitzgerald; S Lynch, S Cronin , G Vaughan; L Kearney, C Spillane ; R Carroll, E Cronin , M O’Donoghue ; B Lynch , M Foley, D Spillane.
Subs: C Tobin for M O’Donoghue (47), M Moynihan for E O’Donoghue (56), E Cronin for E Fitzgerald (inj 60+4), L Spillane (e/t), C Stack for C Spillane (e/t), M O’Donoghue (e/t).
KERINS O’RAHILLY’S: S Foley; R O’Callaghan, S Brosnan, D McElligott; P Neenan, R Carroll, B Hannafin; G O’Brien , D Moran; T Hoare, J Savage, D O’Connor ; G Savage, D O’Sullivan , B J Keane.
Subs: C Hayes for D O’Connor (h/t), S Walsh for G Savage (46), K Mullins for R Carroll (56), T J Heaphy (extra player for e/t).
Fixtures
Junior Molyneaux Cup Rd 1
Friday Sept 2nd @6.30pm
Gneeveguilla B v Kerins O Rahillys B
Extra Time & Winner on the day.
Garveys Supervalue Senior Football Championship Rd 1
Saturday Sept 10th @7.30pm Austin Stacks Park.
Kerins O Rahillys v East Kerry
Learn
Big changes for many of these young ladies who will be making the transition from primary to secondary school. Best of luck to everyone!
NÓTAÍ NA mBAN
We ladies are in dreamland after our U13, U15 and U17s have all made it to champo semifinals….could be wrong but thinking maybe that this is a first for all three age groups to do this in one year!
It’s a phenomenal feeling for our players and management from each team .. all eyes will be on championships for the various age groups during the week. A successful week on the playing fields so far ..
Come out and support our teams and management.
School holidays are coming to a close this week . With this comes the evenings drawing in so get out and enjoy your training sessions and games. It clears the head while getting in fresh air, exercise and fun of course! The winter will be long enough..
Kerins O’ Rahilly U12s having fun in the sun at training last Saturday
U12 GIRLS We welcomed Laune Rangers to Ballyrickard last Tuesday evening for fun games. We mixed our teams as did they .Twenty four girls togged out for us with everyone getting game time . Plenty of enjoyment had by all which is so important as it’s not all about winning at this age but having fun with your friends and team mates. Well done to everyone for their commitment and determination.
We have wind of a possible local blitz coming up in three weeks time, email sent showing our interest. More details to follow.
An enjoyable training session last Saturday morning basking in the glorious sunshine followed by a well deserved treat. Well done girls!
Best of luck to Kerins O’ Rahilly’s U13 Championship team who play in the final next Sunday.
U13 CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
There’s more action next weekend.. Championship final!!! Sunday, September 4th is the date , Corca Dhuibhne is the opposition. Venue TBC.
A big day out to look forward to for our wonderful girls! These two teams have crossed paths in the past.. who will come out the worthy winners!
We would love to see a big turnout to support us on Sunday. Best of luck to the team and management captained by Caragh Houlihan.
Molly Casey and Lily Mae Bowler, Strand Road, enjoying their day out in Mallow last Saturday
U13 PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
An early start for those who travelled to Mallow for the U13 development blitz. Girls from our club played with eleven other clubs in the county for the morning session. A great morning had by all!
Well done to Aoife, Caragh, Córa, Lily Mae, Megan, Mia and Molly, who represented Strand Road at the Festival of Football Blitz, what an event!
Kerins O’ Rahilly’s Megan Gaynor and Aoife O’ Connell who had a ball at the U13 Munster Player Development blitz in Mallow last Saturday
Enjoying the festival of U13 football in Mallow are Strand Road’s Mia Molloy and Megan Gaynor
Caragh Houlihan, Kerins O’ Rahilly’s U13 only delighted to be donning the green and gold in Mallow for the player development blitz
What better way to spend the Saturday before you start secondary school…in Mallow wearing your county colours at an U13 development blitz..Strand Road’s Córa Meehan
DISTRICT
This competition if we’re not mistaken commenced eight years ago. It is run by North Kerry. The districts are Tralee, North Kerry, St. Kierans, Feale Gaels and West Kerry.
The Tralee district team is made up of town clubs- Na Gaeil, Austin Stacks, Kerins O’ Rahillys, John Mitchels and Churchill.
The panel is made up of 24 players.
U13 DISTRICT
In the preliminary round on Wednesday, September 7th Tralee District will play St. Kierans. More details to follow.
U14 NORTH KERRY LEAGUE
Messages will be sent about our next match shortly.
U15 CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINAL
Laune Rangers 0-10
Kerins O’ Rahilly 1-07
We started out the strongest and looked in control in the first quarter when we lead by 0-04 to 0-01. Laune Rangers made a comeback bringing the half time score to 0-04 to 0-04. The Killorglin side got the upper hand in the second half and had a five point lead over us with 10 minutes to go. The next 10 minutes were hotly contested , a goal from Aoibheann McCarthy and bringing on Caoilainn Culloo brought us back into the game. We began to up the ante and took the lead with two minutes to go but a free kick from a foul was the equaliser. A fantastic comeback from our young ladies !
We will have to do it all over again…
CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINAL REPLAY
Kerins O’ Rahilly 2-08
Laune Rangers 4-08
A hectic week of action for all involved and a unique turn of events..
On Sunday afternoon last we took to the field in Pat Healy Park, Ballyrickard.
Unfortunately our U15s exited the championship at the hands of Laune Rangers in a super replay played in very warm conditions.
Rahillys got off to a great start with a goal from Aoibheann McCarthy and points from Taylor Stack and Saoirse O’ Connor MacCarthy.
As the half developed Laune Rangers came more into the game but Millie Hayes in goals and the full back line of Erika Slattery, Donna O’ Regan and Mia Molloy stood solid. These defenders were ably assisted by a hard working half back line Farah Leahy, Katie Higgins and Caragh Houlihan. Just before half time the Killorglin side rattled in three fast goals that saw Rahillys down eight points at half time.
In the second half Kelly Fitzgerald and Saoirse O’ Connor MacCarthy thundered into the game and Córa Meehan scored a smashing goal . Lily Breen, Aimee Turner , Aoife O’ Connell, Sara Reka and Fiadh McCarthy got on lots of ball and the lead was reduced to three points. In an end to end finish to the game Molly Casey made some good saves and Caoilainn Culloo was busy up front . In the finish Rahillys came up short in a great game . Well done to the management and squad.
U15 DISTRICT
On Friday, September 9th Tralee District have home advantage v West Kerry.
There will be a cup and shield final.
U17 CHAMPIONSHIP
Championship got underway last Thursday evening in Pat Healy Park, Ballyrickard.
We needed a victory as it’s a straight knockout and we produced in style.
After an excellent display by the blue and whites ( with the hint of pink) , we ran out winners on a score line of 6-11 to 4-09.
Congrats to our outstanding ladies and their coaches.
For the semi final we host Corca Dhuibhne . Throw in will be at 7p.m. in Ballyrickard. Hoping to see a great turnout of supporters again.
SENIOR LADIES
The senior ladies begin their championship campaign on Tuesday, August 30thwhen they play away to Beale. Throw in will be at 7p.m.
Best wishes to everyone!
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Tuesday, August 30th
Championship – Seniors away to Beale. Throw in at 7.15p.m
Thursday, September 1st
U17 Championship semifinal v Corca Dhuibhne. 7p.m. Ballyrickard
Sunday, September 4th
U13 Championship final v Corca Dhuibhne
Venue and time TBC
BACK TO SCHOOL
The school bells will be ringing loud and clear after the summer holidays this week!
Good luck to everyone! Enjoy your new class or school. Believe it or not these are the best days of your lives.
You will have so much fun and when you get older you will look back on the wonderful memories.
LEAVING CERT
Best wishes to everyone receiving their results next Friday.
Be calm and positive, you have done your best. It isn’t the end of the world if you don’t get what you were hoping for , there are so many ways nowadays to reach your goal.
You have had a tough few years and remember that.
Juvenile Notes
Another busy morning for our Juvenile Academy with our U8 girls heading off to play St. Pats in Blennerville and our U9 Boys welcoming John Mitchell’s to Ballyrickard. While all our other age groups enjoyed another fun filled training session with their coaches.
U5 Boys – Our U5 Boys were having great fun with their coaches practicing their kicking and hand passing. They also enjoyed a few fun games and a little match amongst each other to finish off their training session.
U6 Girls – These girls show up to every training session with enthusiasm and always eager to learn from their coaches. Their skills have improved immensely over the last few months and this was clear to see on Sunday morning when they played a short match with each other.
U7 boys – U7 Boys had plenty games amongst themselves on Sunday morningwhere they showcased all the skills they have been practicing all summer. We also had another one of Barry John’s prodigies up with us today from the U5s, Cormac Hoffman, who scored the equaliser in the final game. Well done Cormac. A lot of the boys were at the Seniors game against Spa and are now really looking forward to supporting them in the final. Keep up the practice boys and one day it will be yereselves wearing those Senior Jerseys.
U8 Girls – U8 girls had a great turnout Sunday morning for the match with St. Pats with two teams togging out. They played two twenty Minute games each which was tough going in the heat . There was some very good football on display. Most of the girls had the confidence to try to solo which was great to see. There was some lovely scores on both sides along with some nice teamwork. Their understanding of positions and the roles involved is really starting to emerge. A great morning overall .
U9 Boys – Our U9 boys had a busy week as they played against Churchill on Wednesday night and they also played John Mitchels Sunday morning. They showed great team work throughout both games with some fantastic kicking and hand passes on display. Keep up the good work boys and ye too could be wearing those Senior jerseys in years to come. See you all next week for training.
