Seniors:
We hosted Ardfert on Sunday afternoon in the 2nd round of the Coiste Trá Lí league and after a tough encounter emerged victorious on a final score line of 1-12 to 0-12. Playing with the slight breeze in the first half, we settled slowly and it was the visitors who posted the first two scores of the game after 4 minutes.
We gradually gained a foothold in midfield through Con Barrett and the impressive Gavin O’Brien and had three points from Gazza Savage inside the next 10 minutes, with two from play – Gavin O’Brien was the provider of the for the second score following a good run through the opposition’s defence. We maintained our hold on proceedings with further scores from Gavin O’Brien and a brace from Rory Molloy to lead by 0-06 to 0-02 after 20 mins. On the 22nd minute, we were dealt a heavy blow when Gavin was black carded and having earlier received a yellow card, we were reduced to 14 men. We traded points from here to the interval to leave us leading at the half time whistle by 3 points, 0-07 to 0-04.
The second half saw us continue where we left off despite the handicap of being a man down and we were still 3 to the good after 6 minutes, 0-09 to 0-06 when a good inter passing passage of play saw Con Barrett hit the net to double our advantage. Ardfert gradually came more into the game as the legs tired and the extra man took its toll but Darragh McElligott especially was defiant in defence along with Danny O’Sullivan and Ross O’Callaghan and opportunities were quickly snuffed out; at the other end, Gazza Savage was our stand out performer, always showing for the ball and winning possession under pressure – his point taking from play and placed balls was exemplary and he finished with 0-09, 5 frees and 4 from play.
In the end, we held out well for a deserved victory and now face old rivals, Austin Stacks in round 3, which will be played in Connolly Park on Sunday next 11th Feb @ 12.30
Team: Shane Foley, Seán Collins, Danny O’Sullivan, Darragh McElligott, Ryan Carroll, Ross O’Callaghan, Rory O’Connor, Con Barrett, Gavin O’Brien, Padraig Griffin, Rory Molloy, Gearoid Dillane, Gearoid Savage, Cian Sayers , Shane McElligott.
Subs used: Jason O’Leary, Donagh O’Brien, Kieran Mangan & Seán Griffin.
Senior Club Championship: The draw for this years senior club championship took place on Thursday night last live on Kerry GAA Tv, pitting us in Group 1 along with Dr Crokes, An Ghaeltacht and Austin Stacks. The round robin style series will kick off with us taking on Austin Stacks at a neutral venue either on the 1st/8th April depending on Kerry’s progress in the Allianz National Football league – fixtures will be updated on our website once agreed upon by CCC.
Minors: Having had a bye in round 1, we make our bow in the Coiste Trá Lí league when John Mitchels are our visitors on Sat next with a 3.30 throw in. Paul Ryan, having served past couple of years as a selector with this age group, now takes the bainisteoir’s bib and will be assisted by Norman Foley and Seán Walsh and we wish team and management all the best in 2018.
Division 5: We will play in Group A of county league division 5, a group of 8 which will give us 7 games this year; first game is an away game on the 11th March in Scartaglin against the locals, followed by a home fixture with Churchill on March 25, which will be a double header with our seniors who play St Marys on the same day. Full fixtures will be available on our web site on the calendar.
Kerry: Kerry came away with 2 points from Castlebar on Sat night following a 1-15 to 2-09 victory over the locals; Kerry were the underdogs going into this game but with a young largely inexperienced team, they took the game to their more vaunted opponents and proceeded to impose themselves on the score board with a succession of white flags; chief amongst these was our own Barry John ( Keane) who led his marker a merry dance notching 3 points in the process.
David Clifford was an early injury casualty and he was replaced by Jack Savage who also was to make a major contribution. Kerry’s cause was not helped in the second half with the dismissal of both Ronan Shanahan and Gavin Crowley, which saw Barry John being withdrawn in an attempt to shore up our defence – Cormac Coffey also saw some game time as he replaced the black carded Brian O’Beaglaoich and in the end Kerry maintained their grip on proceedings to run out worthy winners.
Next stop is Inniskeen next Sunday when Monaghan are the opposition, fresh from their victory over Kildare this week end.
Charlies Bar & Bistro:
Following last week’s farewells, Mike O’Connor has now taken over the reins in Charlies Bar and Bistro and is looking forward to renewing old acquaintances and to making many new ones; the club will continue to be a focus at the heart of the Strand Road community providing good food and drink to the many who frequent the premises. Mike has big plans for the future and your support to him over the coming months/years would be much appreciated.
Lotto:
There was no winner of last week’s lotto draw where the jackpot stood at €2,500; the winning numbers drawn were: 3, 12, 30 & 31 – there was no match 3 winner. The entrants for the special Christmas draw are as follows: Anne & Kate Poff, Derry & Maureen Fleming, Mags Kissane, Mark O’Sullivan & club sponsor, Mossie Kelly. Next week’s jackpot will be €2,600. We would like to thank all who continue to support this important fund raiser.
Congratulations:
The club would like to send their heartiest congratulations to Denis & Sheila O’Sullivan who are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary this week end, 3rd February.
Denis is a Strand Road legend being the holder of 2 All Ireland minor medals ( 1962 & ’63), 2 All Ireland U-21 medals in 1964 & 1965 along with a junior All Ireland medal in 1963.
Denis went on to play at the highest level from 1964 to 1969 contesting 3 All Ireland senior finals ( 64, 65 & 68) but unfortunately Kerry were beaten on all 3 occasions by the great Galway 3 in a row team in ’64 & ’65 and the emerging Down team in 1968.
Denis’ career was tragically cut short at the tender age of 24 in 1968 when developing cartilage issues with his knee which effectively ended his career thus missing out on the elusive All Ireland senior medal when Kerry defeated Offaly in 1969.
However, there was much to celebrate this week end when family ( son Timmy and daughters Denise, Tania & Majella ) along with friends gathered to celebrate this notable occasion and to wish them long life and happiness for the future.
Sympathy:
Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of the late Betty O’Brien ( nee Forde) of O’Rahillys Villas who passed away at the week end – ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
