Mike O’Halloran on the Munster U20 Hurling Championship game between Kerry and Tipperary in Tralee last night…
Kerry 0-13
Tipperary 3-15
Ed Connolly had Tipp’s first point followed by a fine point from Felim O’Sullivan. Paddy Creedon put Tipp back in front, but Kerry had the next six points three each from Ronan Walsh and Nathan Guerin.
Nathan Guerin had also brought a great save from the Tipp keeper Jason O’Dwyer. It looked like there might have been an upset on the cards, but Tipperary eased their way into the game with points from Peter McGarry and Paddy Creedon.
In between those points Keltyn Molloy brought off a stunning save in the Kerry goals. Ronan Walsh added two pointed frees, Tipp had a point by Eddy Ryan.
Continued below…
With 27 minutes on the clock, Ed Connolly burst through for a goal for Tipperary, Shane Gleeson put two points on the board.
Kerry, playing with a gale force wind, went in at halftime one point down, 0-9 points to 1-07.
Shane had the first point of the second half, Kieran O’Carroll replied for Kerry, Tipp presented themselves with a goal chance but struck the crossbar. Gleeson and Jack Sheehan swapped points.
Kerry lost Ronan Walsh to an injury on forty minutes and he was replaced by Dylan Moriarty. Nathan Guerin slotted a free.
It was all Tipperary from then on. Peter McGarry pointed before Paddy Creedon struck the net (a goal that the Kerry management were not happy with). The score then was Tipperary 2-10 to 0-12 with 48 minutes gone.
Kerry then lost Darragh Slattery, Tipp rattled off four more points before their third goal arrived from Peter McGarry.
Dylan Moriarty pointed a very difficult free towards the end but Sean Kenneally had the final score a point for Tipp.
Much like last night, Kerry did not match the physicality of Tipp. At times, Kerry had more men around the ball than Tipperary, but still a Tipp man came away with the ball.
The Tipperary first touch was much sharper than Kerry and Kerry were unable to win any primary possession with their hands.
NEW research from Samsung Ireland shows Kerry locations are among the dream locations for Ireland’s remote workers to forego the home office and take to more scenic locations to ‘work from anywhere’.
The latest research of 1,000 Irish adults coordinated by 3Gem has revealed the famous Cliffs of Moher as the ‘dream desk destination’ with 15% choosing the dramatic setting as their top choice.
The picturesque landscape of the Ring of Kerry was the firm favourite among 14% of the public, while 13% set their sights on setting up in the beautiful Dingle Peninsula. The top five is completed by the Aran Islands (11%) and West Cork (11%).
Continued below…
Three-quarters of those surveyed revealed that they would base their decision to work for an employer on their remote working policy.
A staggering 90% of all Irish workers said that the ability to work from anywhere in the world is incredibly appealing, with 80% revealing they would have better job satisfaction with the choice of remote working.
AUDI chose Kerry as its base to showcase the new Q7 to motor journalists from around the world.
Over a two-week period from the July 16th to 27th, journalists came to the county from as far away as the Middle East, Canada, China, Japan and Europe to test drive the new Audi Q7 around the Ring of Kerry and Slea Head.
The Chief Executive of Kerry Airport, John Mulhern, said: “We are honoured that Audi, a premium car brand, selected Kerry Airport as the base for this major promotional event. The programme included daily private charter flights from Munich to Kerry with almost 300 journalists arriving from all over the globe. Not only did they experience the convenience of traveling through an efficient regional airport, they were also treated to the wonderful hospitality and majestic scenery that is unique to the Kingdom of Kerry.”
Continued below…
The Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Mr Brendan Griffin, welcomed the Audi delegation when they first arrived into Kerry.
Images of Kerry, its many incredible and iconic vistas, are now appearing in journals, social media platforms and in print all over the world.
John Mulhern said that the Audi team are planning a return visit to Kerry: “It certainly proves that Kerry can hold its own on the world stage as a giant in tourism and a commercial destination to attract this type of unique business. The Audi team were so impressed with both Kerry and the welcome they received they plan to return.”
He thanked the team from Audi for choosing Kerry Airport as their base for the project and for their professionalism throughout which resulted in little or no impact on the day-to-day running of the airport during the peak tourism season. He also thanked Paudie McCarthy of Eleco Electrical, Fire & Security Services.
If you want to see what they said about the car and videos of it in Kerry, see the links below…
KERRY will begin their 2017 Division 1 Allianz National Football League campaign on the road in Donegal and can look forward to a St Patricks weekend clash at home against champions Dublin.
Last year’s beaten finalists will play four games at home and three away next year, the home games coming against Mayo, Monaghan, Dublin and Tyrone. Kerry supporters will have to plan for trips to Donegal, Roscommon and Cavan.
Kerry will face Dublin at home on St Patrick’s weekend and will hope to back up the victory they enjoyed against The Dubs the last time they visited Killarney in 2015. Tyrone will visit the Kingdom for the final round of fixtures.
Continued below…
Following the decision to abolish the National Football League semi-finals for 2017, the top two teams in Division 1 contest the National Football League final. The bottom two teams are relegated to Division 2.
Kerry 2017 Division 1 Allianz National Football League fixtures
Donegal v Kerry, Sunday, February 5
Kerry v Mayo, Sunday, February 12
Kerry v Monaghan, Sunday, February 26
Roscommon v Kerry, Sunday March 5
Kerry v Dublin, Sunday, March 19
Cavan v Kerry, Sunday, March 26
Kerry v Tyrone, Sunday, April 2
NATURALLY, after a championship-ending defeat and another season done and dusted, retirements are not too far away from the discussion.
Four Kerry legends in particular must be weighing up their options of whether the bodies can take another crack at Sam.
Aidan O’Mahony (36)
The Rathmore man was a late inclusion to the side yesterday, slipping in to play effectively as a sweeper.
Those sitting on the Cusack Stand side won’t forget his second half collision with Philly McMahon, which, okay, was not spot on the shoulder, but was classic Mahony.
Leaving the pitch yesterday, the defender who made his debut in 2004 shed a few tears, perhaps an indication he was taking stock of a five-time All-Ireland winning career.
Although watching Mahony as he strode forward against Dublin late on might suggest the body is well capable of going another few rounds with the best.
Marc Ó’Sé (36)
Arguably the greatest corner-back of all time and the last of the Ó Sé dynasty to wear the green and gold for the seniors.
From Darragh to Marc, there has been 20 unbroken years with an Ó Sé brother on the Kerry panel. Like his brothers, Tomás and Darragh, if he decides to go he will have finished his career with his boots on in Croke Park which is only fitting for a player who makes up one third of the arguably the greatest set of inter-county brothers the sport has ever known.
Kieran Donaghy (33)
The emotional image of Kieran Donaghy sharing a moment with his daughter Lola Rose on the pitch of an emptying Croke Park may suggest the Austin Stacks man was contemplating having a last look around from the turf.
A groin injury he picked up in the second half would also suggest that imposing frame that has terrified full-back lines for a decade is feeling the rigour of all those challenges down the years.
The Star has also a book release in the pipeline, which can be a reliable indicator that the end is near.
Colm Cooper (33)
The least likely of the four to finish up, the Gooch showed us plenty of his brilliant best yesterday against a Dublin team that needed to be on top form.
Injuries have hampered him in recent years, so you’d fear that one more long-term lay-off will signal the end of the 33-year-old maestro who was this year playing in his 14th season as a senior inter-county footballer.
Economy of movement is a vital part of the Gooch’s game as he enters the autumn of his career. Yesterday he seemed to strike the right balance which suggests he is capable for another season.
KERRY v Dublin, as always, has been drawing a lot of interest in the media, with pundits up and down the country giving their two cents on what will happen in Croke Park this Sunday.
It doesn’t make great reading for Kerry supporters who hope to see their side beat Dublin in the championship for the first time since 2009. But there still remains a hopeful streak buried beneath the subtext. Here is what the experts have been saying…
Beginning on an optimistic note Eoin Liston says in his article in the Irish Independent; “Kerry are fitter, more motivated, better prepared and organised than 12 months ago. I expect massive improvements this weekend.”
The Bomber expects “Shane Enright to take Bernard Brogan, Peter Crowley to pick up Diarmuid Connolly, David Moran assigned to Brian Fenton with Killian Young on Paddy Andrews, if he is picked to start. I also can also see Paul Murphy being detailed on Ciarán Kilkenny”.
Continued below…
Darragh Ó Sé is also in defiant mood, even going as far as to tip Kerry for the All-Ireland in his column in the Irish Times. In case you are wondering, Kerry are 4/1 outsiders to lift Sam.
The An Ghaeltacht man writes; “I just don’t accept that there’s as big a distance between the teams as people think. Kerry’s motivation – maybe even their desperation – should make the gap even smaller”.
“I really hope it hurts this group of Kerry players. I wrote earlier in the summer about how Cork have nearly become immune to the shame of losing. It would be terrible if something similar happened to Kerry when it comes to Dublin. Losing to them can’t be allowed to become just any old defeat. It has to hurt more than all the others.”
Mike Quirke is taking a more cautious approach in his excellent article in the Irish Examiner. The Strand Road man looks at how Kerry might cope with the Dublin offensive.
“Against Clare and Tipperary we saw sporadic use of their updated defensive scheme, where they withdrew every attacker back into the middle zone between the two 45s and flooded that area with bodies,” writes Quirke.
“The hope is that by not engaging defenders coming out with the ball high up the pitch without support and being easily bypassed, they drop in unison and try to outnumber their opponents in that middle sector.”
“Kerry want to ideally force a turnover, or at the very least slow down the ball enough to reduce the quality being delivered in to Dublin’s inside forwards.”
“It will be fascinating to see how much joy, if any, Kerry get from their new steel curtain, and how exactly Dublin plot their way through it.”
Tyrone manager Mickey Harte is not ruling out a Kerry upset. He said; “somewhere in the back of my mind there is the belief that Kerry will feel they have taken a beating from this Dublin side rather too often over recent seasons,” points out Harte.
“Dublin are a bit more vulnerable than they have been over the past few years because you can’t take players like Rory O’Carroll, Jack McCaffrey and James McCarthy out of a defence and replace them easily. I know that despite this, everything says it’s Dublin’s to win but you can never rule Kerry out.”
Former Meath footballer Cian Ward is not giving Kerry much hope, as he thinks they don’t have the firepower to trouble Dublin.
“I don’t think Kerry have the scoring power to beat Dublin,” said Ward speaking on the RTE Podcast ‘Jones’s Road’. “You’d always have associated Kerry with having these really dangerous forwards, but they’ve had to change, and I think they’re a more defensive team now. With the form of some of their forwards, I would think they’re not going to be able to flick that switch.”
Former Tyrone defender and once tormentor of Kerry teams, Philip Jordan, looks at how Eamon Fitz’s side can do it.
“If Kerry are to play Kieran Donaghy then they must play him in the full-forward line,” writes Jordan in his column in the Irish News this week.
“I think Kerry will need to score goals to win this game and, in the absence of Rory O’Carroll, Dublin do not have a real physical presence in their full-back line. Donaghy is well capable of exploiting that weakness if he receives quality ball.”
TODAY the GAA announced an exciting proposal to restructure the quarter-finals of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship (see below).
The proposal is looking to get rid of the quarter-finals and replace them with two round robin groups of four. Every team will play each other once and the top two go through to the All-Ireland semi-finals.
Game 1, will be played in Croke Park, Game 2, home advantage for provincial winners, Game 3, home advantage for qualifier teams.
Every team will have one game in Croke Park, one at home and one away. To alleviate fixture pile-up, the All-Ireland semi-finals would be played over the same weekend.
At best, it could throw up a hypothetical situation where Dublin might have to come down to Fitzgerald Stadium with both teams in search of a victory to get to a semi-final. What a sell-out occasion that would be!
What this means in a nutshell is that Kerry will have two extra games to play in the championship should they be Munster Champions.
A prime example of a need for change was Kerry’s much talked about three-game run to the semi-final which has left the side virtually untested through to the business end of the championship. What fans and players have been crying out for is more meaningful games and it seems GAA top brass have finally listened.
The three round robin matches will be played inside four weekends. Game 1 will be played on the last weekend in July. Teams will have a weekend off then Round 2 and 3 will be played in successive weekends. Then there is another weekend off followed by both semi-finals on the same weekend.
The GAA also proposed that extra time should be played in the event of a draw in all provincial and All-Ireland championship games.
Championship structure has been a real hot topic over the last few years, whether this proposal solves every issue is another story, but it seems a step in the right direction.
Here is Paraic Duffy’s Proposal:
PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: Knock-out format as at present.
ALL-IRELAND QUALIFIER SERIES
Round 1: Sixteen teams that do not qualify for provincial semi-finals
Round 3: Eight round 2 winners play each other on an open-draw basis
Round 4: Four round 3 winners play four provincial runners-up
Proposal 1:
(i) A Division 3 or 4 team drawn against a Division 1 or 2 team in rounds one, two or three of the qualifiers will be granted an automatic home-venue advantage.
(ii) The format of ‘A’ and ‘B’ sides to the qualifier draw will be ended.
QUARTER-FINAL STAGE
Proposal 2:
The current quarter-final stage of the championship to be replaced by a Group Stage, contested by the four provincial champions and the four round 4 qualifier winners.
The group stage will be organised on a league basis with two groups of four teams, with each team playing the other three teams once.
After the group stage is completed the top two teams in each group will progress to the All-Ireland semi-final with the Group 1 winner playing the Group 2 runner-up and the Group 2 winner playing the Group 1 runner-up
Order of fixtures in both groups
Round 1
Team 1 v Team 2. Croke Park
Team 3 v Team 4. Croke Park
Round 2
Team 1 v Team 3 or 4. Home advantage for provincial champions.
Team 2 V Team 3 or 4. Home advantage for provincial champions.
Round 3
Team 1 v Team 3 or 4. Home advantage for Team 3 or 4.
Team 2 v Team 3 or 4. Home advantage for Team 3 or 4.
Note:
Home venues shall be subject to approval by the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) and
shall meet the criteria set down by the National Facilities/Health and Safety Committee. CCCC shall
make the draws for Rounds 2 and 3.
The above fixtures format for the group stage means that each team will have one game in Croke Park,
one home game and one away game.
Tie-breakers in the event of teams finishing level on points (in order of application):
(i) Result of game between two tied teams (only where two teams are level on points)
Gavin O’Connor says there’ll be no shock this Sunday against Clare as Kerry players will be out to impress the boss…
THIS week the Kerry footballing public has gone through one of the most lacklustre build-ups to a match in Croke Park in recent memory.
For players, the focus will be on impressing Eamonn Fitzmaurice who has been doing his best all week not to sucked into chatting about what’s likely to be a semi-final against Dublin.
Continued below…
Fitzmaurice has been correct in his appraisal that Clare have not been given due credit for their ride through the qualifiers, but nevertheless his players will find enthusiasm for nailing down their positions, rather than the opposition they face.
The game on Sunday ranks alongside Cavan (2013) and Limerick (2011) for uninspiring trips to Croke Park in recent years and it seems there could be a very small travelling contingent for this All-Ireland series match. Kerry exiles in Dublin supporters may even make up the bulk of Kingdom followers.
It will be four weeks since Kerry defeated Tippeary in the Munster Final and six weeks since they first met Clare which yielded a very comfortable 12 point victory.
Defying the odds through the backdoor, the Bannermen have cast aside Laois (0-14 to 1-10), Sligo (1-13 to 2-17) and Connacht finalists Roscommon (2-12 to 1-9).
This will be Clare’s fourth week in a row of championship action. In that time Kerry have not moved outside the confines of the locked gates of Fitzgerald Stadium.
Much has been made on the rise of Clare’s Gary Brennan who has already been earmarked for an All-Star. The 27-year-old midfielder’s runs from deep have thrust him on The Sunday Game highlight reel and he will most likely give a game-rusty Kerry midfield some bother.
Injuries to Colm Cooper, Mikey Geaney and Johnny Buckley are another setback for three players who have have varying degrees of injury woes recently. The Gooch’s momentum has been halted following a shoulder injury against Tipp, Mikey Geaney, missed the vast majority of the league because of a back injury and Johnny Buckley has not featured since picking up a knee injury in the National League semi-final against Roscommon.
Injuries have stuttered and stifled this team in 2016, with James O’Donoghue and Paul Geaney both missing all of the National League. These two men who burst into the limelight in 2014 will be vital to proving that All-Ireland was no fluke.
Paul Geaney is the side’s championship top-scorer so far with 2-8 and the Dingle man is showing all the swagger of a player coming into his prime.
With defeat difficult to fathom on Sunday, it will be an opportunity for players to put themselves at the forefront of Fitzy’s plans. Kerry may creak into action but it’s difficult to see this game be anything other than comfortable.
Gavin O’Connor says the build-up to tomorrow’s Munster Final between Kerry and Tipperary has been flat and it’s difficult to see where the fizz will come from on the field of play…
IT’S hard to remember a more flat build-up for a Munster Final.
In the midst of Euro 2016 action, the GAA has struggled to poke itself into the limelight, fighting for a public who had eyes only for Ireland’s exploits in France.
One of the occasions when the GAA did demand full attention was Tipperary’s shock defeat over Cork three weeks ago, it has setup this unconventional Munster Final (a result I can personally attest to rippling all the way to the can-strewn main drags of Paris with Ireland fans in full flow before the opening match of the tournament at Stade de France).
Continued below…
Because of a poorly attended Cork v Clare Munster Final in 2012, the Munster council split Cork and Kerry in the draw the following year, creating an unfair competition where a final meeting of the two dominant forces every year was made almost inevitable.
The attendance for that Cork v Clare final was just over 9,000. Could we be looking at similar numbers on Sunday?
Separating Kerry and Cork in the draw has not made a traditional final a certainty, but it has succeeded in making a breakthrough title win for any other teams in the province exponentially difficult.
As they struggle to keep the big ball game relevant at home, it’s hard not to feel that Tipp and the other predominantly hurling counties in Munster have been cheated. But over the last few years, as July fast approached and Killarney opened its streets and pubs to Kerry and Cork supporters, that sense of injustice to others melted away quickly enough.
In the absence of Cork, it’s hard not to feel that one of the great dates on the calendar has been scratched off. A look at the forecast tells us we’re not even guaranteed the sunshine that always seems to come with Kerry and Cork in Killarney (apart from the replay last year of course). Yes, the Earth has been knocked slightly off its axis.
Tipperary fans could travel and bring their own unique flavour to the day – they are after all going for a double in Munster with their hurlers involved the following week. Having already upset the gravy-train a Tralee man, Liam Kearns, is now entrusted in dealing a shock for the ages.
The Rockie came so close to doing that on a few occasions against a much better Kerry team midway through the last decade so is well placed in this situation.
Adding to the rather dull build-up, Eamon Fitzmaurice has decided to go with an unchanged team. It’s his reserves which piqued the public’s interest with Aidan O’Mahony and James O’Donoghue returning to the panel, the latter being badly in need of game time and hopefully he’ll get it tomorrow.
Brian Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht) and Tadhg Morley (Templenoe) have retained their spots in the defence. Those two leading a little resurgence of new blood in a side that in the National League final looked badly needed.
It’s a difficult match for the fans to get excited about. You’d hope the sentiments are not the same in the Kerry camp, but there’ll be no surprises at 2.00pm tomorrow.
THE Kerry Senior Football Team to play Tipperary in the Munster Senior Football Final at Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday is unchanged from the side that started against Clare in the semi final.
In the subs, Aidan O’Mahony returns after suspension and James O’Donoghue returns to the match day squad for the first time since last year’s All Ireland Final.
Kerry v Tipperary will throw in at 2pm and is preceded by Kerry v Cork at 12.00 in the minor decider.
The team, captained by Bryan Sheehan is as follows:
1. Brian Kelly Killarney Legion
2. Shane Enright Tarbert
3. Mark Griffin St Michaels/Foilmore
4. Killian Young Renard
5. Brian Ó Beaglaoich An Ghaeltacht
6. Peter Crowley Laune Rangers
7. Tadhg Morley Templenoe
8. Kieran Donaghy Austin Stacks
9. Bryan Sheehan (C) St Marys
10. Paul Murphy Rathmore
11. Colm Cooper Dr Crokes
12. Donnchadh Walsh Cromane
13. Darran O’Sullivan Glenbeigh-Glencar
14. Paul Geaney Dingle
15. Stephen O’Brien Kenmare
Fir Ionaid:
16. Brendan Kealy Kilcummin
17. David Moran Kerins O’Rahillys
18. Marc Ó Sé An Ghaeltacht
19. Barry John Keane Kerins O’Rahillys
20. Michael Geaney Dingle
21. Anthony Maher Duagh
22. Jonathan Lyne Killarney Legion
23. Aidan O’Mahony Rathmore
24. James O’Donoghue Killarney Legion
25. Fionn Fitzgerald Dr Crokes
26. Padraig O’Connor Killarney Legion
Gavin O’Connor watched Kerry win three in a row Munster Junior football titles at Austin Stack Park last night…
Kerry 0-14
Cork 0-13
THEY were made sweat a little, but a one point victory over Cork was enough to ensure three-in-a-row Munster Juinor titles for Kerry at Austin Stack Park on Wednesday night.
The All-Ireland champions were in cruise control going in at half-time 0-10 to 0-6, but they were met with a resurgent Rebels in the second-half who pulled it to within a point in the final minute of the game.
With an emphasis on youth, Stephen Wallace, didn’t have the services of any player from last year’s successful campaign.
Continued below…
Standout performers for the Kingdom were Adrian Spillane in midfield, Jason Foley – who looks a real prospect at full-back – and Paul O’Donoghue who kicked a few long range frees, some reminiscent of fellow clubman Bryan Sheehan.
Tralee area players, Andrew Barry (Na Gaeil), Michael O’Donnell (Austin Stacks) and Kieran Hurley (St Pats), Lawrence Bastible (John Mitchels) all gave good accounts of themselves.
Stacks player, Michael O’Donnell, is eligible to play for the side because he did not play any club or county championship game in 2015.
Continued below…
The game was a free flowing affair dotted with some excellent scores from both sides throughout. Playing with the breeze, Cork, were the first to get off the mark thanks to Dave Harrington. Kerry responded and by the 15th minute were 0-6 to 0-3 to the good.
Mark Vaughan for Cork was the one providing the answers for the Rebels as he kept his side in touch with three top drawer first-half scores, which ended 0-10 to 0-6 in favour in Kerry.
Kerry began the second half with another free from Paul O’Donoghue to push the lead out to five, but Cork were beginning to get on top around the middle where Templenoe’s Adrian Spillane had been so dominant.
Story continued below…
A point for Cork from substitute, Eoghan Buckley, who made a big impression and two from that man Vaughan who would finish with a tally of 0-6, all from play, kept them close.
In the remaining 15 minutes, Kerry weathered the storm, crucially not allowing Cork draw level and were not giving the Kerry full-forward line a sniff.
A pointed free on 60 minutes by Mark Sugrue would be the closest the Rebels came as time ran out for them and Kerry made it over the line.
Kerry will play Warwickshire in the next round of the competition, which could act as a shop window for Eamon Fitzmaurice should new recruits be needed in the Kerry senior panel.
Brendan O’Sullivan made a big impression at junior level last year, forcing himself into the Kerry senior panel and into contention for a starting spot. So the pathway from Junior to Senior does appear to be there.
More action photos below…
Scorers
Kerry: P O’Donoghue (0-7, 0-5 frees, 0-1 ‘45), A Spillane and S M O’Conchuir (0-2), K Hurley, N O Shea and P Clifford
Cork: M Vaughan (0-6), M Sugrue (0-3, 0-2 frees), E Buckley 0-3, K O’Hanlon 0-1
Kerry
1. Darragh O’Shea (Ballydonoghue)
2. Darren Brosnan (Gneeveguilla)
3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue)
4. Cathal Ó Lúing (An Ghaeltacht)
5. Patrick Clifford (Templenoe)
6. Andrew Barry (Na Gaeil)
7. Laurence Bastible (John Mitchels)
8. Adrian Spillane (Templenoe)
9. Michael O’Donnell (Austin Stacks)
10. Brian Ó Seanacháin (Ballydonoghue)
11. Paul O’Donoghue (captain, St Marys)
12. David Foran (St Senans)
13. Sean Michéal Ó Conchúir (An Ghaeltacht)
14. Kieran Hurley (St Pats)
15. Niall O’Shea (Dromid Pearses)
Substitutes
F Clifford (Waterville) for Brosnan (40 mins)
L O’Donoghue for Clifford (46)
K O’Sullivan (Kenmare) for O’Donnell (48)
R Wharton (Renard) for Foran (51)
S O’Sullivan (Kenmare) for Hurley (54)
A Barry (Brosna) for S O’Sullivan (62)
Cork
1. Anthony Casey (Kiskeam)
2. Diarmuid Colfer (Glanworth)
3. Peter Murphy (Bandon)
4. John Mullins (Éire Óg)
8. John Corkery (Boherbue)
9. Cillian Brosnan (Brian Dillons)
10. Michael Vaughan (Millstreet)
11. Killian O’Hanlon (Kilshannig)
12. Ryan Harkin (Mallow)
13. Mark Sugrue (Bandon)
14. Gerry O’Connor (Boherbue)
15. David Harrington (Adrigole)
Substitutes
E Buckley (St Michael’s) for Harrington (6 mins, inj)
C Moynihan (Gabriel Rangers) for Corkery (24)
TJ Brosnan (Newmarket) for O’Neill (HT)
P Condon (Mayfield) for O’Connor (48)
S O’Leary (Bantry Blues) for C Brosnan (52)
N McCarthy (Kinsale) for Murphy (57, inj).
Gavin O’Connor looks forward to Kerry v Roscommon in the Allianz National Football League Semi-Final, Croke Park, Sunday 2pm (Live on TG4)…
IT seemed after falling to Dublin and Roscommon in the opening two games back in February, another nervy league campaign looked on the cards.
After five wins on the trot, those two losses now seem a distant memory and it can be said, of Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s side, that they are building nicely for the summer.
Kerry are now one step away from reaching their first National League Final in seven years.
After three years of fighting relegation and a rocky start this year, the smoothness of the route to the semi-final must be very welcome.
Continued below…
The carrot of a further two games and to cut an eight week layoff before the opening game of the Munster Championship down to five must be an enticing one for players and management.
Since losing those first two matches, Kerry’s average winning margin has been 7.6pts.
A 16 point victory against Down has put a bit of gloss on that figure but even still if you take that game out it’s 5.5pts, which is not too shabby for a competitive division.
To put it into perspective, Dublin’s seven out of seven victories boast a 4pt winning average.
Roscommon were one of the few sides that really put it up to the Dubs this year. After a late switch in venue The Rossies pushed the champions all the way in Carrick-on-Shannon, the game finishing 1-12 1-13 to Dublin.
Stephen O’Brien’s goal the last time the two met
https://streamable.com/wxhm
After opening round defeat to Monaghan (1-9 to 2-10) Roscommon got their season up and running with a one point win in Killarney. The promoted side went on to win four of their remaining five games.
Two stand out results came on the road against Donegal (0-17 1-19) and Cork (3-10 4-25). In particular, this 18 point win in Cork caused an existential crisis Leeside.
It’s safe to say things have gone better than expected for the new management team of Kevin McStay and Fergal O’Donnell. Down, the other side promoted from Division 2, lost every match and finished with a negative score difference of -66.
Fitzmaurice has made four changes for what hopes to be the first of many trips to Croke Park this year.
Along with the rotation of the number one shirt which has been a constant throughout, Aidan O’Mahony and Darran O’Sullivan return to the starting team and Fionn Fitzgerald’s fine display off the bench against Cork has earned the Dr Crokes man a place.
The Rossies have shown they have staying power in the division and are in bonus territory. Kerry have got into a rhythm of winning again in the league again after a number of years of stuttering performances.
Given the familiar surroundings and the hot streak Kerry are on at the moment, you just feel Kerry have it in them to win this one pulling up.
KERRY will do battle against Roscommon in the Allianz National League Semi-Final this Sunday in Croke Park at 2pm.
The match acts as the opener of the double bill as the other semi-final between Dublin and Donegal throws in at 4pm (Buy tickets here)
Tickets will be €20 on match day, but are €15 if you book online before Sunday.
Kerry play their first League semi-final since 2012 and will be hoping to get to a final for the first time since 2009.
The Kingdom have won the title a record 19 times – they were last crowned National League champions in 2009.
This is new territory for Eamonn Fitzmaurice who will be hoping to claim the only title that has eluded him since taking over in 2013.
Match details…
Roscommon v Kerry
Throw in: 2pm
Dublin v Donegal
Throw in: 4pm
Ticket Information…
Pre-Purchase (Pre-Purchase discount ends midnight on the day before the fixture):
Adult: €15.00/£13.00
Juvenile (Under 16 years of Age): €5.00/£4.00
Match Day:
Adult: €20.00
Concession: a €5.00 rebate is available at designated stiles at the venue for Adult Match-Day tickets purchased for the Cusack or Davin Stand ONLY with valid ID
Juvenile (Under 16 years of Age): €5.00/£4.00
Gavin O’Connor looks at the Kerry v Cork, Allianz National League Division 1 (Round 7) fixture at Austin Stack Park on Sunday at 2pm…
IS it just me or has this been one of the most enjoyable instalments of Allianz National League football we’ve seen in a while?
With all four Division 1 games throwing in at 2pm, there’s a ‘Super Sunday’ feel to these final round of league fixtures.
Counties will fight it out at both ends of the table with a number of outcomes possible.
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A bit of gloss has been slapped on the campaign following Kerry’s four-in-a-row wins which have virtually guaranteed a first league semi-final appearance since 2012.
The permutations to not make the semi-finals are unlikely. First, Donegal must beat Monaghan and Cork have to sink Kerry by more than 13 points – a result that doesn’t bear thinking about.
It makes you wonder though if the league was incorporated into the championship and these were All-Ireland series places up for grabs, what an exciting day we would have?
Imagine live footage from around the grounds interspersed, with every score potentially making or breaking a number of counties’ year – it would be incredible drama.
But I digress. After Cork were embarrassed by Roscommon (3-10 – 4-25) it looked like their season was in tatters before it ever got going.
But Peader Healy has managed to stabilise a sinking ship and now the Rebels are in with a decent shout of heading to Croke Park for the semi-finals.
Cork’s three wins have come against Mayo (1-18 to 0-12), Monaghan (1-20 to 1-13) and Down (0-12 to 0-7) last weekend. Of those sides, Down are already relegated and one of the other two are for the chop this Sunday.
Despite those triumphs, Cork still boast the worst defensive record in the Division. In five games they have shipped a combined (112) points. To put that into perspective an abject Down side from the start have conceded 12 less points.
Top of the table Dublin have conceded (70) and Kerry are the next best having left (77) points through.
Unlike previous weeks, there are no Kerry players returning from injury. James O’Donoghue, Anthony Maher and Paul Geaney remain sidelined, but are expected to be inching towards a return to the fray in the coming weeks.
A big crowd can be expected in Austin Stack Park on Sunday for a match that will mean a great deal to both sides before they inevitability meet again in the summer.
Cork will want to destroy any thoughts that they are a fading force in football and Kerry need not look any further than putting right that 10 point loss to the Rebels at ASP in 2014.
The stage is set for drama and subtext with a Cork side out to prove a point. But you just feel Kerry, led by a resurgent Colm Cooper in attack will find the holes to exploit a leaky Cork defence.
It should be a cracker of a weekend whatever the result. If only we could have the ‘Super Sunday’ style switching of the codes for the day.
JACK O’CONNOR will be able to call upon the talents of three former minor All-Ireland winners when the Kerry U21s face Cork in the Munster Final on April 7.
Kerins O’Rahilly’s, Cormac Coffey and Dingle men Mark O’Connor and Matthew Flaherty all won All-Ireland minor medal’s in 2014, with Mark O’Connor going back to back and also captaining the side in 2015.
The trio were out with injuries for the Kerry wins over Tipperary and Limerick, U21 boss Jack O’Connor believes their return will bring extra competition into the panel.
“Mark O’Connor has participated in a couple of the sessions now which is good to see” said Jack O’Connor speaking to Radio Kerry.
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“Matthew Flaherty has got a couple of club games, same with Cormac Coffey, which is good for them after their injuries. So look, there’s going to be good competition for the 24 for this game and big competition for the starting 15 obviously.”
Cormac Coffey will be looking to keep his successful run at U21 going. He was instrumental in Kerins O’Rahilly’s picking up a County Championship title last year, the first in the club’s history.
Kerry were given a big scare by Limerick in the semi-final, Jack O’Connor feels the side under performed on the night and has been tweaking the side since.
“We just have to get back and get the balance right between defending and attacking. We were disappointed in the Limerick game in the fact that we kicked 1-14 but we were quite open at the back and we were vulnerable to Limerick running at us.”
That Munster final against Cork is set for Austin Stack Park on Thursday April 7.
Check out what Cormac Coffey is capable of doing in this footage of last year U21 County Championship final against East Kerry by ‘Sideline Eye’
FINES handed down to Kerry and Donegal GAA have been reduced from €7,500 to €5,000.
The fines were incurred following the Allianz National League encounter between the two sides which was marred by a number of scuffles.
Last night, both county boards went before the Central Hearings Committee (CHC) and were successful in reducing the fines levied by the Central Competition Controls Committee (CCCC).
Scenes from the match in Austin Stack Park were broadcast live and provoked criticism, particularly footage involving Donegal full back, Neil McGee and Kerry’s Alan Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald was red-carded and McGee subsequently received a one match ban for the incident, which he would have missed in any case because of a broken nose sustained from Fitzgerald’s retaliation.
Donegal & Kerry’s proposed fines reduced to €5k. Both accepted responsibility at Central Hearings Committee last night #GAA#Sportlive
DONEGAL County Board will “definitely” appeal the €7,500 fine handed to both them and Kerry for the scenes that marred last weekend’s Allianz National League encounter in Austin Stack Park.
It is expected that the Kerry County Board will also appeal the hefty fine dished out by the CCCC on Tuesday night.
Speaking to the Donegal Democrat newspaper, Donegal chairman Sean Dunnion made it clear they would not be accepting the fine lying down.
“We were expecting a fine but nothing as near as severe as the €7,500 that has been handed down and we will definitely be appealing and asking for a reduction,” said Sean Dunnion.
There is no word as yet if Donegal will appeal Neil McGee’s one match ban. The full back received a ban for appearing to cause damage to Alan Fitzgerald fingers.
There were a number of melees that littered the match particularly in the first half. Kerry’s Alan Fitzgerald and Donegal’s Leo McLoone both received their marching orders during the game.
AFTER a meeting of the The Central Competitions Control Committee, Kerry and Donegal county boards have both received fines of €7,500 for incidents that marred last Sunday’s encounter in Austin Stack Park.
Donegal’s, Neil McGee, has received a one match ban for appearing to harm Alan Fitzgerald’s finger in the lead up to the Castlegregory man’s sending off.
No Kerry player has been cited.
The CCCC held a conference call and looked over footage along with referee, Eddie Kinsella’s match report.
From the footage reviewed the CCCC have decided to hit McGee with a one match retrospective ban for a category 3 infraction.
McGee’s ban will be served this weekend when Donegal face Roscommon.
SANDWICHED between a marathon day of Premier League soccer and Six Nations rugby, the Kerry hurlers still managed to get people talking with their remarkable seven point victory over Laois in the opening round of the Allianz National Hurling Division 1b in Portlaoise.
It was the first time Kerry beat the O’Moore county in 52 years in the National League and in doing so, Ciaran Carey’s, young side announced themselves on the national stage.
Here’s how people reacted to the news on Twitter…
Have we seen the demise of football in #Kerry ? – Seems it’s a hurling county now! Great win for The Kingdom over #Laois!#AllianzLeagues
THE Kerry team to play Clare in the Munster Senior Hurling League tonight in Sixmilebridge at 7:30pm, has been named.
Kilmoyley’s Daniel Collins, will once again captain Kerry as they face Davy Fitzgerald’s, Clare, in the side’s third match of the competition.
Though Kerry have lost their opening two games against Limerick and Cork, they have performed well in both matches.
Ciaran Carey’s men will be looking to put it up to one of the big boys once. The Limerick legend has named the same forward line that helped hit 0-18 in Mallow last Sunday against Cork.
Team is as follows…
1 Aidan McCabe, Kilmoyley
2 Sean Weir, Crotta O’Neills
3 Bryan Murphy, Causeway
4 Dougie Fitzell, Kilmoyley
5 Daniel Collins (Capt), Kilmoyley
6 Thomas Casey, Causeway
7 Jason Diggins, Causeway
8 James O’Connor, Abbeydorney
9 Johnny Buckley, Lixnaw
10 Colm Harty, Causeway
11 Brendan O’Leary, Abbeydorney
12 Shane Nolan, Crotta O’Neills
13 Keith Carmody, Causeway
14 Micheal O’Leary, Abbeydorney
15 Jordan Conway, Crotta O’Neills
Subs
16 Martin Stackpoole, Lixnaw
17 Mickey Boyle, Ballyduff
18 Brendan Brosnan, Lixnaw
19 Paudie O’Connor, Kilmoyley
20 Jack Goulding, Ballyduff
21 David Goulding, Ballyduff
22 Tom Murnane, Kilmoyley
23 Sean Maunsell, Kilmoyley
24 Mike Milner, Dr Crokes
25 Darragh Shanahan, Lixnaw
26 Ger Stackpoole, Lixnaw
Bainisteoir: Ciaran Carey (Patrickswell)
Coach: Mark Foley (Adare)
Treanalaí: Damien Ryall (Abbeydorney)
Róghnoirí: James McCarthy (Kilmoyley), Michael Conway (Lixnaw)
KERRY products have won awards at one of the world’s biggest food fairs.
The Anuga trade fair held in Cologne, Germany, is one the most important driving forces of the international food and beverage industry.
Kerry Foods won two innovation awards for its ‘Yollies’ frozen yogurts and its Denny Fire and Smoke range of convenience cooked ham and chicken products.
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Yollies have been on the shelf for the last year and have proved a hit while the Denny Fire and Smoke range have been out for the past four months.
One of Kerry’s most well known brands is also a household name in Germany.
Incredibly, Kerrygold butter accounts for a 17% market share of butter in Germany, making it the number one butter in a nation of 80 million. That’s a lot of butter.
Kerry is a leader in Irish dairy products which account for 41% of food and drink exports to Germany, valued at €230m in 2014.
AN event designed to commemorate the 1916 rising and look forward to its centenary celebrations next year is set to take place in Tralee this coming Saturday, October 3.
The Revolutionary Decade Roadshow in conjunction with the School of History in UCC, Kerry County Council will be the first official event of Kerry’s 2016 Centenary Programme
The Kerins O’Rahilly GAA club will be the venue for the event which will run from 11am-4pm on Saturday. It will be formally opened by Cllr Pat McCarthy, Cathaoirleach of Kerry and Minister Jimmy Deenihan.
The free event is open to all ages and is event is aimed at anyone who has an interest – whether personal or familial – in the history of the ‘revolutionary decade’ in modern Irish history, including the 1916 Easter Rising, World War 1, and the War of Independence.
Anyone who has any documents (e.g official correspondence, private letters, diaries, pictures, etc.), stories, artifacts from the Rising or revolutionary decade – or indeed are simply interested the events that took place during it – are invited to meet and discuss same with professional archivists and expert historians, in a friendly, informal setting.
Also present on the day will be a number of local and national historical groups with a particular specialism in this period, including the Irish Volunteers Commemorative Organisation and the Women’s History Association of Ireland, among others.
Members of the public can browse their exhibits, purchase commemorative items and register as members.
Others stalls will offer for sale books relating to the period while members of historical re-enactment groups, dressed in period attire, will also be present, as members of the IRA, Crown forces etc and will deliver short talks ‘in character’ about their aims, their equipment, and so on.
Local choirs will sing songs from the period and there will be a re-enactment of the speech given by Maud Gonne at the unveiling of the foundation stone of the Pikeman Statue in Denny Street.
Finally, there will be a special participatory session devoted to younger members of the audience.
It’s certainly a day not to be missed for anyone with an interest in Irish history.
ELEVEN new jobs will be coming to Kerry as part of multi million investment deal with Killarney based company Mobacar and global car rental brokerage Auto Europe and venture capital firm Delta Partners.
The company currantly employs 30 people at their Killarney offices where the company is working on the world’s first intelligent car rental and ground transportation distribution platform for airlines and online travel agencies.
Mobacar have developed an intelligent distribution platform for all forms of ground transportation – car hire, transfers, motorhomes, motorcycles and helicopters.
The company connects online travel companies and their customers such as airlines and online travel agents to a global network of transportation options in real time.
Mobacar is the winner of PhoCusWright’s 2014 European Travel Innovator of the Year Award and has been invited to demonstrate Swiftfleet at the World Conference in Los Angeles in November.
AS everyone knows there’s no love lost between Kerry and Dublin in football, but the same can be said for the Dubs when it comes to their closest neighbours in the Royal County.
A photo of a car in Navan decked out in green and gold with ‘Up Kerry’ written across has been spotted by Twitter user, ‘Randy Knights’.
The car is situated outside, The Balreask Arms on the Trim Road in the town. You’ve got to suspect given that both counties share the same colours, Royal followers, have decided to daub ‘Up Kerry’ on a what was a Meath car to agitate passing Dublin motorists.
JAMES O’Donoghue says Colm Cooper, will be back to his best in no time and that the Croke Park venue may well be the catalyst to ignite the Gooch’s season.
“The Gooch is The Gooch. You just look forward to getting on the field with him. I am sure the Gooch’s form will hit the sky in the summer. That is what he has been gearing himself for,” said O’Donoghue.
“Come Croke Park, which he loves, he is going to back firing and inspiring Kerry.”
On the way to claiming an All-Ireland last year, O’Donoghue, felt a special bond develope between the players and Kerry supporters.
“We knew we had the capability to win the All-Ireland and yet no one else gave us a sniff,” said O’Donoghue.
“On the back of that, a special bond arose between the team and the supporters. It was strange kind of atmosphere around the place and after winning then, it was phenomenal,” he said.
“I’m hoping that bond between supporters and players keeps going for this year because that was a huge advantage for last year.”
Though O’Donoghue, only kicked one point against Cork in the Munster Final replay, he maintains, once he is working for the team that is the most important thing.
“My job the last day was just to keep making runs, keep getting on the ball, leave some space, pass it out and let someone have a shot. That’s just as enjoyable for me as scoring because once you’re involved in the game and you’re trying your best for the team, that’s good enough for me”
The Legion man, is confident that coming through two tough tests against Cork will stand to Kerry when they face Kildare on Sunday.
“We’ve played a couple of games and it’s great for the group when you come through tough battles. Coming through a battle in horrendous conditions after nearly being knocked out the week before is good for the heads and everything,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kerry are expected to announce the starting 15 for that clash against the Lillies, tomorrow night at 9pm.
DID you know Kerry played Dublin in Wembley Stadium in 1976? Well, footage has appeared online that proves it.
British Movietone posted a newsreel to YouTube recently of the momentous match between the two great powers of Gaelic football just as their famous rivalry of the 70s, was taking off.
The game was a low scoring affair with the Dubs winning 0-7 to 0-10, just as they beat us in that year’s All-Ireland Final.
Footage of the match – which must have been a rare treat for the many Irish in London at time – is backed up with characteristically clipped narration, bordering on condescending.
KERRY will either face the winners of Fermanagh or Westmeath in the All-Ireland quarter-final, if they win the replayed Munster Final on Saturday. Lose and it’s a meeting with Kildare a week later on July 25.
Confirmation of venues and times for these fixtures will be confirmed by the CCCC later this afternoon.The draws took place on RTE Radio 1 earlier this morning.
Football – Round 4A
1. Kildare v Cork/Kerry
2. Fermanagh v Westmeath
These games are scheduled to take place Saturday, 25 July.
Football – Round 3B
1. Tipperary v Tyrone
2. Galway v Derry
These games are scheduled to take place next Saturday, 18 July.
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If Kerry should lose the Munster Final replay against Cork and come through the clash against Kildare it will mean they will face Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter final on the August Bank holiday weekend. That means Kerry will be out playing for the next three weeks in a row.
A win against Cork on Saturday will mean Kerry will face the winners of Fermanagh or the beaten Leinster provincial finalists Westmeath. Kerry have a history with both teams in the championship courtesy of the qualifiers.
In 2002, Kerry resoundingly beat Fermanagh by 2-15 to 0-4 in the first ever pairing between the sides in championship.
Kerry also met Westmeath for the first time in championship in 2012, but unlike the Fermanagh match this was a close run thing with Kerry just about surviving a stubborn Westmeath in Mullingar by the solitary point, the final score 2-10 to 1-12.
A powerful goal by Darren O’Sullivan, helped Kerry get out alive that day.
Story continued below….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZDG2YFKsSE
Should Kerry fall to Cork and set up a qualifier date with Kildare it will be the first time the side’s met since the 2002 All-Ireland qualifier in Thurles.
Kerry ran out 2-10 to 1-5 victors on the day, but the game is most remembered for a spectacular solo goal by Eoin Brosnan.
Story continued below….
The loser of Cork v Kerry will play Kildare in Round 4A of the qualifiers on July 25th. So best of luck to Kildare against Kerry.
EAMONN FITZMAURICE has hinted that Paul Galvin is unlikely to play any part in Kerry’s Munster SFC final against Cork in Killarney this Sunday.
Since sensationally coming out of retirement in March, the former player of the year has still yet to make an appearance for Kerry.
“He is fit,” said Eamonn Fitzmaurice speaking to the Irish Times. “He’s back training now. Whether the Cork game will come too soon, probably will. But he’s in great shape, it’s just a matter of getting that football sharpness back into him and the longer we stay in the championship the more of a factor he’ll become,” said Fitzmaurice.
So far the only glimpse of Galvin we’ve seen this year was his selection as one of the subs in Kerry’s final match of this year’s National League against Tyrone, but Fitzmaurice feels, Galvin, still has more to give in the green and gold.
“When his football sharpness is where it needs to be and he is able to play well in our football games in training, he’ll be ready to go,” Fitzmaurice said.
KERRY has been ranked amongst the elite of Europe for family holiday destinations in a new feature by the travel heavyweights ‘Lonely Planet’.
The kingdom is joined in a top ten list of ‘Best Places For Family Holidays In Europe 2015’, by some of the most spectacular and iconic tourist destinations across the continent, such as Normandy in France and The Black Forest region in Germany.
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The feature describes the fantastic scenery on offer in the county with its “mysterious islands off a craggy coastline; mist-wreathed mountains and lakes; castles, abbeys and other ruins to explore….no wonder that County Kerry appeals to the imagination of travellers of all ages.”
“This wild part of Ireland is perfect for children (and adults) with a sense of adventure. If you’re visiting during the summer months, test their sea legs on the short ferry to Great Blasket Island or, for older would-be sailors, take the boat to the Skelligs; admire the raw power of the Atlantic Ocean during a horse ride along Rossbeigh Beach or let your water babes sign up for surf school; take an epic journey through Killarney National Park,” the magazine continued.
We really do live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world, and long may that continue.