We look back on 10 sporting stories we covered around Tralee over the past eight months, that were significant in different ways (part 2 tomorrow)…
Ultan Dillane, in the green of Ireland at underage level.
Ultan Dillane Makes Senior Debut For Connaught
Former Tralee RFC youth player, Ultan Dillane, was selected in the Connacht squad which faced Leinster in their Pro12 clash in the RDS on December 19.
Growing up only minutes from the Rugby Club in Ballydunlea, Ultan is now the second player from Tralee to make it in the professional game. The other player being former Munster winger, Danny Barnes.
The 21 year old has made all the right noises coming through the ranks, picking up caps for Ireland u18 and u20 sides and turning out for Munster youths.
He came on with over 20 minutes to go and played well on the night. Let’s hope he continues to impress.
Continued below…
Members of Tralee Rugby Club and Sisters Laura and Emer O’Mahony played on opposite teams in the Inter-Pro final between Munster and Connacht on in Tralee Rugby Club. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Inter-provincial Final Comes To Tralee Rugby Club
On the eve of the All-Ireland final this year, Tralee Rugby Club hosted the Interprovincial Senior Ladies Final between Munster and Connacht. The Inter-pro final featured seven players who play for Tralee Rugby Club across both sides, with Connacht in fact having four players drawn from the Tralee club.
There was also the novelty of two sisters, Laura and Emer O’Mahony, from Ardfert going up against each other for national honours.
Last May, Park FC U16 became the first ever Kerry team to play in a National Cup ‘A’ final. Unfortunately they lost the final 2-0 to one of the institutions of Irish soccer, St Kevin’s Boys of Dublin.
The Park’s National Cup final appearance brought a great buzz to Christy Leahy Park and provided something to build on for future Kerry soccer teams.
The St Brendan’s Park under U16 Squad that travelled to play in The National Cup A Final against St Kevin’s Boys back in May. Front from left: Carl Mullins, Stefan Okunbor, Segeun Duyile, Luke Moynihan, Jamie Clifford, Fergal Ryan, Ferdia O’Brien. Back row from left: Graham O’Sullivan (Manager), Sean Collins, Emmanuel Abubaker, Conor Hurley, John Carroll, Sam Tarrant, Simon lonergan, Gary Howard, Tommy Lynch, Kieran Carmody, David Magee. Players missing in the photo, but also travelled were, Andrew Phillips, Jesse Stafford Lacey, Gearoid Savage and Alan McElligott. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Ardfert Man Tears Up His All-Ireland Final Ticket
A Youtube video of an Ardfert footballer went viral in the days after the All-Ireland Final. John Dowling, who is a teacher in Mercy Mounthawk, tore up his All-Ireland final ticket in order to win €2,000 for Ardfert GAA.
2014 was pretty much an annus horribilis for Kerins O’Rahilly’s, the Strand Road team narrowly avoided relegation from senior status after they lost both games in the championship.
The news that one of their most famous sons was returning was music to the ears of the Blues’ faithful, who had suffered quite enough for one year.
