Credit Union Co League Div 1
Kerins O’Rahillys 2-24 Templenoe 1-12
This Round 6 game was played at a sun-kissed Strand Road on Saturday evening last. It was a crucial game for both sides, with O’Rahillys needing a win to move to eight points and go joint-top of the table overnight with An Ghaeltacht, who faced a tricky away tie versus Rathmore on Sunday.
For their part, Templenoe were already four points adrift of the home side and needed a victory to begin a climb away from the relegation zone.
The similarity in both club’s colours meant that O’Rahillys changed to a predominantly white strip, with Templenoe in their traditional blue, but the South Kerry outfit could have been taken for the home side in the first half as they matched O’Rahillys in every department and were more clinical in their score-taking to lead by two points at half time.
Up to that point, Strand Road had given no hint of the dominant second half performance that was to come and the absence of regular starters, including their county panellists seemed to be telling – but they restricted Templenoe, who were also depleted, to just 1-2 in the second period and ran out comfortable winners in the end.
O’Rahillys had the majority of possession in the opening phases and Tom Hoare opened the scoring with a fine point from distance after a pass from Gearóid Dillane.
Templenoe levelled matters, but Strand Road were two points in front after 10 minutes courtesy of points from a free by Barry John Keane and from play via Conor Hayes from a Hoare pass.
However, within a minute, the visitors had levelled matters and although Keane kicked a lovely score from play, three points in a four-minute spell had the South Kerrymen 0-6 to 0-4 in front after 21 minutes.
Back came O’Rahillys and Keane converted another free before a fine piece of fielding by Seán Walsh saw him link with Hoare who levelled matters again. The ding-dong nature of the game continued when the teams exchanged points again from open play, with Keane kicking a nice point from a tight angle, but the last four minutes of the opening half saw Templenoe outscore O’Rahillys by three points to one, all from play, with Walsh placing Keane for the home side’s score and the teams retired at the break with the visitors deservedly leading by 0-10 to 0-08.
However, O’Rahillys were a team transformed on the resumption and playing with the sun at their backs, they announced their intentions when Hoare pointed a free directly from the throw-in. Keane then levelled matters from a placed ball, before his cousin, Johnny Keane, on for Aaron Roche, superbly converted a ‘45’ before Barry John pointed another free to leave Strand Road two points up after four minutes. Paidi Griffin added another point from 30 metres after good work by Con Barrett and Hoare, before BJ Keane followed up with a pointed free after a great run by Dillane and then a terrific run by Cormac Coffey ended with him firing over the bar.
The resulting kickout was won by O’Rahillys and Barrett careered through the beleaguered Templenoe defence and placed his low shot past the keeper to leave O’Rahillys 1-15 to 0-10 to the good.
The home side were totally in charge now and points followed from Coffey, Griffin and a BK Keane free before Hoare placed Johnny Keane who slammed into the top of the net to put the result beyond any doubt after 15 minutes.
O’Rahillys were unrelenting though and added another four points to Templenoe’s single score over the next seven minutes, with Coffey adding his third, Hayes his second and BJ Keane clipping over two more frees.
Templenoe did snatch a consolation goal in the 24th minute as O’Rahillys emptied their bench and the final three scores of the game came from placed balls, two for Strand Road, with BJ Keane and Gearóid Hartnett on the mark.
O’Rahillys now move on to a shootout with An Ghaeltcht in Gallarus on June 30th
Kerins O’Rahillys: G Kissane; S Collins, R O’Callaghan, R O’Connor; D McElligott, C Coffey (0-3), S Brosnan; T Hoare (0-3, 0-1f), C Barrett (1-0); G Dillane, BJ Keane (0-12, 0-9f), A Roche; P Griffin (0-2), S Walsh, C Hayes (0-2). Subs used: J Keane (1-1, 0-1’45’), D O’Brien, G Hartnett (0-1f), S McElligott, B Foley.
Credit Union Co League Div 5A
Kerins O’Rahillys B 3-11 Dr Crokes C 1-15
Our Senior B team looked to be very much up against it in the early stages of their clash with Dr Crokes. The Killarney side had three early points from play and although O’Rahillys replied with a pointed free from Darragh Fitzgerald and a ‘45’ from Donagh O’Brien, Crokes soon added another 1-1 from play to lead 1-4 to 0-2 after the first quarter.
Conor Hayes then breathed life into the Strand Road challenge when he goaled after being played through by Barry Foley and although Crokes replied with a free, it was O’Rahillys who controlled the game up to half time and they made sure that their superiority was reflected on the scoreboard.
Firstly, Fitzgerald embarked on a fine solo run before finding O’Brien who slotted over and then they reversed roles with O’Brien the provider as Fitzgerald pointed to make it a one-point game.
They were soon two points to the good when a fantastic diagonal ball from Gearóid Hartnett found Kevin Johnson-Horgan and when the goalkeeper could only parry his shot, O’Brien followed up to slam the rebound to the net. Crokes were stung by this reversal and it took a great stop by Rob O’Connor at the expense of a ‘45’ to preserve the home side’s two-point lead, but Strand Road then extracted the maximum dividend in the 27th minute when Foley again found Hayes who finished to the far corner of the net.
Hayes then notched the last score of the opening half when he dropped his shoulder, turned inside and floated over a lovely point to leave the half time score at 3-5 to 1-5 in O’Rahillys’ favour.
Dr Crokes stormed into the second half, kicking two points in the first two minutes and it took two superb saves at point blank range from O’Connor to keep the score at 3-5 to 1-7. Then, Kieran Mangan won a ball in defence and Strand Road transitioned through O’Brien and Rory Molloy before Hayes restored the five-point gap.
It was short-lived though as Crokes kicked three points from play inside the next four minutes to reduce the margin to two points once more. Back came O’Rahillys and Jason O’Leary placed Hayes who was again unerring in his point-taking and four minutes later, Johnson-Horgan fielded O’Brien’s ‘45’ and slotted over the bar to restore the Blues’ four-point margin.
It wasn’t to last long however as Crokes rattled over two points in reply to make it 3-8 to 1-12 after 24 minutes, but the home side responded again with two points inside the next minute.
The first came when Fitzgerald found Hayes who jinked inside to raise a white flag and O’Brien then gained possession and ran at the heart of the Crokes defence before guiding the ball between the sticks.
This seemed to give Strand Road some breathing space at 3-10 to 1-12, but Crokes pointed almost immediately to make it a one-score game once more.
Undeterred, the Blues swept back downfield and with three minutes to go, O’Brien found Hayes who went on a mazy left to right solo before flighting the ball over the black spot for what proved to be the insurance score.
Try as they might, Crokes could only find two points in reply and stout defending from Tom McGrath, Darragh McElligott, Cillian Gallagher and skipper Kieran Mangan meant that this time O’Rahillys preserved their two-point lead and saw the game out to move onto six league points.
Kerins O’Rahillys: R O’Connor; T McGrath, K Mangan, B Foley, J O’Leary, G Hartnett, R Molloy, D McElligott, D O’Brien (1-3,1’45’), C Gallagher, K J-Horgan (0-1), D Fitzgerald (0-2, 1f), C Hayes (2-5).
LADIES NOTES
U8 GIRLS
Next Wednesday, June 19th we will be hosting GO GAMES in Ballyrickard. Commencing at 6.30p.m. We will be welcoming teams from neighbouring clubs to join us in these FUN games where every girl gets to play.
There will be a shop there for anyone who’s rushing from work.
U10 GIRLS
Last Wednesday evening we hosted our first lot of Go Games for girls. It was lovely to watch girls from every team enjoying themselves. Each girl had fun playing with her teammates as well as playing against some of her friends from the other clubs. Well done to the girls, their coaches and to their parents for bringing them and supporting them.
U12 GIRLS
The girls are really looking forward to their final v Dingle in Currans this Tuesday at 7.30p.m. With such a large squad a HUGE Strand Road following is expected.
This has been a very impressive campaign by our dedicated and committed team. We have played 6 games along the way, winning 4, drawing 1 and only losing 1.
The girls have been training every Tuesday and Thursday since the start of the year. We have a lovely mixture of skilful forwards, high fielding midfielders and teak tough defenders.
Under the watchful eyes of Michelle, Pádraig and Rory, this group have made fantastic progress leading us to this final. They have displayed all that is good about ladies Gaelic Football, skill, dedication, team work and very importantly FRIENDSHIP.
Hope to see all the skills on display on Tuesday and a large following to cheer our girls on. Best of luck to the girls and their coaches.
U14 GIRLS
A path of cars will lead to Currans on Tuesday evening to support our U12s. Best of luck to them. Text will be sent about training.
The U13 Championship will be starting soon and of course there’s the Sandra Keane Tournament to look forward to on July 20th.
Our condolences to the family of Kieran Behan of Abbeydorney. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
U16 GIRLS
Hope the exams went well for everyone! You can now enjoy the months to come. Training will be resuming shortly. We will revert once we know who’s available between those going on holidays etc.
We will have news on the U15 Championship shortly.
JUNIOR LADIES
Looking forward to seeing everyone at training in preparation for our Co. League game when we are away to Dingle.
Hopefully everyone was happy with how their exams went and are finished or nearly finished.
CAKE SALE
We will have a cake sale fundraiser on Sunday, July 7th in Strand Road. We are looking for volunteers to bake and of course supporters to buy cakes from us. More information to follow.
Keep an eye on our Facebook page and notes for all upcoming events over the summer months.
New girls always welcome.
CÚINNE NA NÓG
Juvenile Academy
The Academy was in full swing at 11am on Sunday morning last in Ballyrickard. The sun was out even though it was a little chilly, but no one was complaining as they continue to watch the children have fun and enjoy their football.
There was a warm cuppa to be enjoyed if you felt the chill along with some delicious home baking. The children are improving each week, so well done boys & girls. A big thank you to all the diligent academy coaches who give up their time and this is very visible in the children’s improved skills.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
A huge Congratulations to:
U6 Girls -Saoirse Gentle and Kitty Bowler
U6 Boys – Jonathan Foley
U8 Girls- Aisling Donnelly
U8 Boys – Ethan Quirke and Jamie O’ Regan
U10 Boys – Christian Dunne
Go Games
The U8s and U10s Go Games took place last Wednesday evening, the 12th June in Ballyrickard. A big crowd gathered, well wrapped up on a cool summers evening. All the children enjoyed their games, played well and did the club proud.
U12 Boys
Sunday morning last saw our under 12s travel to Gneeveguilla for the penultimate game in Phase 2 of the county league.
We played against the breeze in the first half and started well with two opening goals from Brayden Pierce and Nick Lacey. Gneeveguilla got to grips with the game and replied with some good scorers before Ryan Onekewyere worked very hard to win a ball and finish to the net. Nick and Brayden added two points apiece to leave the half time score 3-4 to 5 points.
After a sluggish start to the second half, Jamie McCarthy now operating at full forward after starting midfield began to take over. Jamie scored a goal and threepoints to Gneeveguilla’s three points.
Gneeveguilla would keep the scoreboard ticking over but more often than not Ciaran Griffin would win and clear most balls. Pinpoint kickouts from Odhran Foley led to another goal from Nick and two more points while Jamie brought his tally to seven and Evan Daly added another assisted by Calum Lacey.
Gneeveguilla were competitive to the end and in truth the game would have been closer except for an excellent first half save from Evan Daly and fantastic defending from Cillian McGrath, Sean O’Mahony and Daniel Aneke who won nearly every aerial duel.
Man of the match was Ciaran Griffin who won an amount of ball throughout and controlled the back line, followed closely by Nick Lacey with 2-4, Ryan Onekewyere in the midfield and Jamie McCarthy.
Final game of county league football is against Foilmore next Sunday the 23rd June at 6pm in Ballyrickard.
U14 and U16 Boys
The U14s start the Central Region campaign with their first game on this Monday evening, the 17th June at home to John Mitchels at 7pm in Strand Road.
The U16s start the County League at home to Lispoil / Anascaul this Wednesday, the 19th June in Strand Road at 7pm.
SNIPPETS from “top of the right”
· Martin Nix spotted scouting our U21 talent at the weekend. He has recruited a serious backroom team so there’ll be no stone left unturned….
· Rumour has it that Mike Mangan is looking to purchase an expensive clothes hangar!
· It’s all part of life’s treadmill Mike…
· “Top of the Right” hears that Tony Corridan was talking about moving deckchairs before himself and Frank the Tiler steered the ship around the Crokes’ iceberg last Sunday…
· Jack Daly spotted on the line again for the Templenoe game. He’s very keen!
· The Snippets Man hears that the PRO bumped into Mo Salah on his holliers.
· We might squeeze him in at top of the left (Mo that is – not the Snippets Man)…
· Joby Fitzgerald Senior receives “Suggestion of the Week Award” for the club’s Twitter account. Cheque is in the post Joby!
· Keeping it in the family, Joby Junior gets a brace of points and also the “Bruised Ego of the Week Award” – which required attention…
· “Top of the Right” is seeking the true identity of Shirley Early…
CONDOLENCES
All at the club wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Sheila McCarthy (née Maguire) of Tobar Naofa, Dean’s Lane and Mitchel’s Court and Mary Redmond (née Hickey) of 95 St. Joseph’s Estate, Spa Road. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.
