Kerry legends, Seamus Moynihan and Darragh O’Shea watch on at the Kerry v IT Tralee game. Photo by Dermot Crean.
IT Tralee 4-12
Kerry 0-16
IT TRALEE seized a great opportunity when they faced a Kerry team made up of up and comers at an extremely breezy Austin Stack Park on Sunday afternoon.
The absence of Tommy Walsh did take the gloss off this fixture, but nevertheless there were plenty of Tralee players on show to intrigue the small crowd that arrived for this opening fixture of the 2015 season.
With the Kerry team still on their holidays, U21 boss Darragh Ó Sé took the reins in the absence of Eamonn Fitzmaurice.
Na Gaeil’s, Jack Barry in action for Kerry. Photo by Dermot Crean.
In total there were eight players from the town between both sides who got a run out. It was a special day for Na Gaeil in particular as midfielder, Jack Barry became the first player from the club to pull on a Kerry jersey at senior level.
He didn’t disappoint either and was one of the standout performers in a Kerry side that lacked cohesion and game time together. For the ITT, Kerins O’Rahilly’s Jack Savage was in impressive form scoring four points, two from play.
He along with Legion’s, Conor Keane who scored 2-5, were the standout forwards in the game.
Jack Savage, eyes up the goal against Kerry in the McGrath Cup. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Na Gaeil and Kerry’s Jack Barry gets the pass off before being tackled by John Mitchels and ITT’s George Bastible. Photo by Dermot Crean
The Strand Road man picked up the interesting accolade of playing for and against Kerry in the one weekend, having been on U21 duty for the county against Cavan in Laois, 24 hours previous.
Three Austin Stacks men showed very well for the IT, wing back, Denis McElligott, surged forward with intent and nabbed himself a point while Ciaran O’Connell knocked over a terrific long range score in the second half. Alan Duggan was another Rockie who got on the scoreboard.
John Mitchels’ Shane O’Connor was one of four players from town playing for Kerry. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Kerins O’Rahilly’s, Cormac Coffey also made his debut in green and gold and got off to a excellent start by scoring a point from 30 yards with his very first touch.
Overall the game lacked sufficient bite, which is understandable, but it was great to see so many young Tralee players perform well, showing that the future is bright for football in the town.
Continued below…
Three Tralee players involved in the action inn Sunday for ITT, George Bastible, Denis McElligott and Alan Duggan. Photo by Dermot Crean
Paul McMahon of St Pat’s in action for Kerry on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kevin McCarthy of Kilcummin and Kerry is tackled by Cian Horan of ITT and Glenflesk. Photo by Dermot Crean
Scorers
IT Tralee – Conor Keane 2-5, Jack Savage 4p 2f, Padraig O’Shea 1-1, Peter Nash 1-0, Denis McElligott 1p, Ciaran O’Connell 1p, Alan Duggan 1p, Cillian Cromwell 1p.
Kerry – Gavin O’Grady 4p 3f, James Crean 3f, Adam Barry 1p, Gary Sayers 1p, Colin McGillicuddy 1p, Tom O’Sullivan 1p, Killian Spillane 1p, Cormac Coffey 1p, Paul Kennelly 1p, Liam Carey 1p, Micheal Burns 1p.
Teams
IT Tralee
Shane Kenny (Castlegregory) Mark Egan (Dr Crokes) Gavin Crowley (Templenoe) Jason Lyne (Dr Crokes) Denis McElligott (Austin Stacks), Cian Horan (Glenflesk), Cillian Cromwell (Carrick Emmetts, Monaghan), Damien Somers (St Senans), George Bastible (John Mitchels), Ciaran O’Connell (Austin Stacks), Conor Keane (Legion), Alan Duggan (Austin Stacks), Gavin O’Shea (Dr Crokes), Peter Nash (Kildimo Pallaskenry, Limerick), Jack Savage (Kerins O Rahillys)
Subs – Jason Brennan (St Molaise, Sligo) , Alan Moriarty (Legion), Padraig O’Shea (Currow), Sean Flynn (Buttevant (Cork)
Kerry
Shane Murphy – Kilcummin, Sean T. Dillon – St Senans, Caoimhín Ó Beaglaoich – An Ghaeltacht, Donal Maher – Kilcummin, Paul McMahon – St Pats, Tadhg Morley – Templenoe, Shane O’Connor – John Mitchels, Conor McGillicuddy – Glenbeigh/Glencar, Jack Barry – Na Gaeil, Adam Barry – Brosna, James Crean – Annascaul, Gary Sayers – Keel, Kevin McCarthy – Kilcummin, Gavan O’Grady – Glenbeigh/Glencar, Tom O’Sullivan – Dingle
Subs – Liam Carey (Beaufort), Brian O Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht), Cormac Coffey (Kerins O’Rahilly’s), Killian Spillane (Templenoe), Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle)
