.Andrew Barry in action for the Kerry Juniors in 2016.
THE Kerry Junior football team to play Cork in the Munster Final in Tralee on Wednesday night has been announced and features a couple of Tralee players in the starting 15.
Andrew Barry of Na Gaeil will be centre back while he’ll be joined by John Mitchels’ Sean Moloney in the half-back line.
Churchill have two players on the subs bench in Eoin O’Brien and Cillian Fitzgerald. The line-up for the game — which throws in at 7.30pm in Austin Stack Park — is as follows…
.Killian Spillane will captain Kerry against Meath on Saturday.
There’s one change on the Kerry Junior Football Team to play Meath in the All Ireland Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park Portlaoise on Saturday (3pm) from the side which defeated Leitrim in the semi-final.
Under 21 Captain Brian Sugrue comes into the defence in place of Michael Foley.
The team captained by Killian Spillane is as follows:
.Ivan Parker is among the subs for the Munster Final on Tuesday.
THE Kerry Junior Football Team to play Cork in the Munster Junior Football Final at Páirc Uí Rinn on Tuesday has been named.
The side to take on the Rebels at 7.30pm is unchanged from the side that defeated Limerick in the semi final.
The team contains seven players who have previously won Junior All Ireland medals; James Walsh and Conor Cox won All Irelands in 2012 and 2015 while Jack McGuire, Brendan O’Sullivan, Philip O’Connor, Jeff O’Donoghue and Killian Spillane were also on the 2015 winning side. Five players, Michael Foley, Daniel O’Brien, Roibeard Ó Sé, Killian Spillane and Tomás Ó Sé have won All Ireland Minor medals during the last three years.
While there are no Tralee players on the starting 15, Ivan Parker from Churchill is among the subs, as is Brandon Barrett from Ardfert.
The team captained by Killian Spillane is as follows:
.Niall O’Shea bagged two goals for Kerry against Mayo this afternoon. File Photo
KERRY won back to back All-Ireland titles this afternoon when the juniors beat Mayo in Croke Park this afternoon. Stephen Wallace’s charges won by 2-18 to 2-11 to cap off another great year for the side.
Mayo started the better racing into a 0-3 to 0-0 lead on seven minutes, but Kerry gradually came back at them.
On 2o minutes a Niall O’Shea goal put Kerry 1-3 to 0-4 ahead and this was the catalyst for the Kingdom to pull away and Mayo failed to score in the rest of the half.
O’Shea struck for another goal on 28 minutes and by half time they led by 2-10 to 0-4. Mayo sped out of the blocks in the second-half and within nine minutes they were within three points of Kerry, scoring two quick goals and a succession of points to make it 2-11 to 2-8. Kerry never panicked though and cool heads prevailed.
They hit the next five points on the trot which killed off the game and from then it was a case of maintaining that lead. They duly did so and finished up 2-18 to 2-11 winners.
Scores for Kerry: N O’Se 2-0, S M O’Conchuir 0-5 (2fs), K Hurley 0-3, P O’Donoghue 0-3 (1f, 145) D Foran -0-3, A Spillane 0-1, J Foley 0-1, D Roche 0-1, A Barry 0-1.
Scores for Mayo: D Coen 0-5 (3fs) C Keane 0-4, Micheal Forde 1-1, R Hollian 1-0, J Kelly 0-1.
Mayo: M Flanagan; P Ferrick, N Freeman, E O’Donoghue; B Duffy, J Kelly, J Forkan; M Togher, P Collins; B Reape, M Forde, K Gibbons; D Coen, A Farrell, C Keane. Subs: S Gaughan for P Collins, R Holian for B Reape, R Mallee for A Farrell, S Akram for E O’Donoghue (BC), R Doherty for P Ferrick.
Kerry: D O’Shea; F Clifford, J Foley, C O’Luing; P Clifford, A Barry, R Wharton; A Spillane, J C O’Connor; B O’Seanachain, P O’Donoghue, D Foran; N O’Shea, K Hurley, S M O’Conchuir. Subs: K O’Sullivan for P Clifford, L Bastible for J Foley, M O’Donnell for A Spillane, D Roche for K Hurley, A Barry for D Foran, D O’Shea for B O’Seanachain. Referee: S Gilmartin (Donegal).
.Let’s hope Kerry junior captain, Paul O’Donoghue, here lifting the Munster Cup, will be lifting the All-Ireland trophy on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean.
THE Kerry Junior team to face Mayo in the All-Ireland Final on Saturday in Croke Park (2pm) has been named. There are three changes in personnel from the side that defeated Lancashire in the semi-final.
Patrick Clifford, who was introduced in the semi final, comes into the half back line in place of John Mitchels’ Laurence Bastable; Kerins O’Rahillys’ John C. O’Connor, who was also introduced in the semi-final, starts in midfield in place of fellow Tralee man Michael O’Donnell.
Team captain, Paul O’Donoghue, is recovered from injury and regains his place at centre forward in place of Kevin O’Sullivan who deputised for him against Lancashire.
Na Gaeil’s Andrew Barry and Kieran Hurley of St Pat’s are the other Tralee area clubmen on the starting line-up.
The team, captained by Paul O’Donoghue, line out as follows;
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1 Darragh O’Shea Ballydonoghue
2 Fionán Clifford Waterville
3 Jason Foley Ballydonoghue
4 Cathal Ó Lúing An Ghaeltacht
5 Patrick Clifford Templenoe
6 Andrew Barry Na Gaeil
7 Robert Wharton Renard
8 Adrian Spillane Templenoe
9 John C. O’Connor Kerins O’Rahillys
10 Brian Ó Seanacháin Ballydonoghue
11 Paul O’Donoghue (C) St Marys
12 David Foran St Senans
13 Niall O’Shea Dromid Pearses
14 Kieran Hurley St Pats
15 Sean Michéal Ó Conchúir An Ghaeltacht
Fir Ionaid:
16 Kieran Fitzgibbon Kenmare
17 Kevin O’Sullivan Kenmare
18 Dara O’Shea Kenmare
19 Laurence Bastible John Mitchels
20 Sean T Dillon St Senans
21 Michael O’Donnell Austin Stacks
22 Dara Roche Glenflesk
23 Adam Barry Brosna
24 Lee O’Donoghue Glenflesk
Bainistíocht
Bainisteóir: Stephen Wallace (Ardfert)
Róghnóirí: Timmy O’Sullivan (Kerins O’Rahillys), Jimmy Keane (Brosna), Brian Hickey (Skellig Rangers).
.The victorious Kerry Junior panel celebrate defeat of Cork in the Munster Junior Football Final back in June. Photo by Dermot Crean.
THE Kerry juniors will play on the biggest stage of all next Saturday in their All Ireland Junior Final.
The game has been fixed as the curtain-raiser to the All-Ireland Senior Quarter-Finals at Croke Park on Saturday with a 2pm throw-in time.
Stephen Wallace’s charges will be hoping to get the better of Mayo in the decider, before Tyrone face Mayo at 4pm and Dublin take on Donegal at 6pm. The Kerry team to face Mayo will be named on Wednesday night.
.Andrew Barry and the Kerry Juniors are in another All-Ireland final. File Photo
KERRY are back in another All-Ireland final after the Juniors easily dispatched Lancashire in Manchester this afternoon by 4-17 to 3-10.
Stephen Wallace’s side will defend their title against Mayo after the Connacht side beat Wexford today by 2-10 to 0-10.
Kerry didn’t have it all their own way though, as the sides went in all square at half-time; Kerry 0-9 Lancashire 1-6.
But a four-goal blitz from Kevin O’Sullivan, Kieran Hurley, Niall O’Shea and Robert Wharton saw them take a commanding 4-12 to 2-6 lead with just 13 minutes remaining.
Both sides tagged on scores towards the end but Kerry were never in doubt from early in that second half and can prepare now for another final on Saturday, August 6.
.Manager Stephen Wallace (Ardfert) congratulates players and backroom staff after the final whistle. Photo by Dermot Crean.
THE Kerry Juniors have an unusual assignment this Saturday when they go cross-channel to Manchester to face Lancashire in the All-Ireland JFC semi Final.
Kerry progressed to this stage after defeating Cork and claiming a third Munster crown in-a-row last month in Austin Stack Park last month.
Traleetoday.ie caught up with manager, Stephen Wallace, who’s been in charge for the past three years, about developing young talent, making the grade at senior and how preparations are going for that trip to the England.
“It’s something different and something we’re not used to doing,” said Stephen Wallace. “There’s a lot of work involved in the logistics operation of getting a big group of players to the UK, booking hotels, making sure the meals are organised etc.” he said.
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Is there any possibility that a trip abroad could cause the side to lose focus?
“We’re over to play a football game, everything is secondary. We’ll give Lancashire the respect the deserve and prepare professionally. These are very dedicated bunch of young fellas, they’re serious about their football and they’re serious about progressing their careers in a Kerry shirt. This is all part of it,” said the Ardfert man.
Since Wallace has been at the helm, the juniors have been constructed to be the stepping stone from U21 to senior.
“Three years ago when I took on the job the plan was turn the Juniors into an U23 development squad and that’s how we’re operating. It’s not written in stone, one-or-two-or-three guys over the age of 23 are in to bring a bit of experience but in the norm it’s U23,” he said.
Of last year’s Kerry junior panel, some players moved up a grade playing for the seniors in the National League and Munster Championship, most notably, Tadhg Morley, Denis Daly and Brendan O’Sullivan.
“The fact they (GAA) have cut back the U21 competition to U20 makes it even more difficult for these guys to break into a senior squad because they’re still quite young and probably not developed as much as they should be playing senior inter-county,” said Stephen.
“It’s possibly something the GAA needs to look at. You know there is a massive gap there at U20 level before guys step up. Where do they develop themselves? What competition do they play? Unfortunately the nature of the beast means a lot of these guys will be going back to playing Division 4 and 5 County League football for their clubs. With all due respect it’s hard for them to push on there,” he said.
“It takes a very exceptional player who can come straight out of the U21 system and into the senior system. That will become even less frequent when you move it back to U20. The GAA needs to look at the bigger picture, how the guys between 20 and 24 can mature and develop.”
“The Junior competition should be more streamlined so the same rules and the same playing field can apply for every county in Ireland, because some counties are operating under different playing rules. Maybe perhaps change the name of the Junior competition to an U23 competition?”
Wallace was full of praise for Tralee area players involved with his squad this year: Andrew Barry (Na Gaeil), Mike O’Donnell (Austin Stacks), Kieran Hurley (St Pats), John C O’Connor (Kerins O’Rahillys) and Laurence Bastible (John Mitchels).
“We’re delighted with Andrew (Barry). He’s a guy inside the senior setup at the moment with Eamonn (Fitzmaurice), so we’re delighted that Andrew has been released to us for the game at the weekend”.
“Mike O’Donnell is a young fella who has been persecuted with injuries and he’s still only 19 years-of-age. He has a huge career ahead in The Rock. On his day, Kieran Hurley, is as good as any forward in Kerry, he maybe has not got the breaks but look, Kieran is still only 25, so there is still a future for him there as well”.
“John C has had a great county championship with Kerins O’Rahillys, under the watchful eye of Michael Quirke and no better man to be teaching a young fella how to play midfield, he’s also paired there with David Moran so he’s learning from the best”.
• Kerry v Lancashire, Saturday at 2pm. Radio Kerry will carry coverage of the game.
.Michael O’Donnell of Austin Stacks will be in action at the weekend for Kerry. File Photo
FOUR Tralee area players will start the All Ireland Junior Football Semi Final in Manchester on Saturday where Kerry face Lancashire.
Na Gaeil’s Andrew Barry, Austin Stacks Michael O’Donnell, Laurence Bastible of John Mitchels and St Pats Kieran Hurley make the first 15. Stephen Wallace’s team shows three changes in personnel from the side that defeated Cork in the Munster final.
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Fionán Clifford comes into the full back line in place of the injured Darren Brosnan; Robert Wharton starts in the half back line instead of Patrick Clifford and Kevin O’Sullivan starts at centre forward in place of team captain Paul O’Donoghue who is carrying an injury.
Kerins O’Rahillys John C O’Connor takes a place on the bench after being drafted into the squad last week.
The team lines out as follows:
1 Darragh O’Shea Ballydonoghue
2 Fionán Clifford Waterville
3 Jason Foley Ballydonoghue
4 Cathal Ó Lúing An Ghaeltacht
5 Laurence Bastible John Mitchels
6 Andrew Barry Na Gaeil
7 Robert Wharton Renard
8 Adrian Spillane Templenoe
9 Michael O’Donnell Austin Stacks
10 Brian Ó Seanacháin Ballydonoghue
11 Kevin O’Sullivan Kenmare
12 David Foran St Senans
13 Sean Michéal Ó Conchúir An Ghaeltacht
14 Kieran Hurley St Pats
15 Niall O’Shea Dromid Pearses
Fir Ionaid:
16 Kieran Fitzgibbon Kenmare
17 Dara O’Shea Kenmare
18 Patrick Clifford Templenoe
19 Sean T Dillon St Senans
20 John C. O’Connor Kerins O’Rahillys
21 Lee O’Donoghue Glenflesk
22 Paul O’Donoghue (C) St Marys
23 Dara Roche Glenflesk
24 Adam Barry Brosna
.Andrew Barry of Na Gaeil in action earlier this year for the Under 21s. Photo by Dermot Crean
TRALEE area clubs are well represented on the Kerry Junior Football team to face Cork
in the Munster Championship Final this Wednesday evening in Austin Stack Park (7.30pm).
There are four changes in personnel from the side that defeated Limerick in the semi final.
Na Gaeil’s Andrew Barry starts in the half back line instead of Robert Wharton, Jason Foley comes into the full back line instead of Fionán Clifford, David Foran comes into the half forward line in place of Liam Carey and Sean Michéal Ó Conchúir, recovers from injury to take his place at right corner forward in place of Dara Roche.
Laurence Bastible of John Mitchels, Michael O’Donnell of Austin Stacks and Kieran Hurley of St Pats are also in the starting line-up for the match.
The team captained by Paul O’Donoghue of St Marys is as follows:
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 Bastille – John Mitchels
8 Adrian Spillane – Templenoe
9 Michael O’Donnell – Austin Stacks
10 Brian Ó Seanacháin – Ballydonoghue
11 Paul O’Donoghue (C) – 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
Fir Ionaid:
16 Kieran Fitzgibbon Kenmare
17 Kevin O’Sullivan Kenmare
18 Fionán Clifford Waterville
19 Robert Wharton Renard
20 Dara O’Shea Kenmare
21 Stephen O’Sullivan Templenoe
22 Lee O’Donoghue Glenflesk
23 Conor O’Shea St Marys
24 Adam Barry Brosna
Alan O’Donoghue had a great game for Kerry today. FILE PHOTO
A MITCHELS man captained Kerry to a 16th All-Ireland Junior title after they gave a masterclass of football in Croke Park this afternoon to beat Mayo by 2-18 to 0-10.
Alan O’Donoghue, who had a stormer of a game for the Kingdom, lifted the cup to the cheers of the vocal Kerry fans present, setting up some great celebrations for the Boherbee club in the coming days.
The result was never in doubt throughout the game as Kerry must have been trying to emulate the seniors’ rout of Kildare six days before.
They sped into a 0-6 to 0-0 after 12 minutes while the Connaught men took 16 minutes to get on the scoreboard.
Things only got worse for Mayo as the Kerry forwards ran riot all day. Great work by Alan O’Donoghue set up Thomas Hickey for a goal on 26 minutes to effectively end the game as a contest to make it 1-9 to 0-2.
Mayo managed to rally towards the end of the half with four points in the last couple of minutes of the half to leave it 1-9 to 0-6.
After the break, any sign of Mayo taking up where they left off, was dispelled when Hickey and Philip O’Connor knocked over a couple of points and it was the Desmonds man, Hickey, who scored his second goal on 37 minutes to leave it 2-11 to 0-6.
After that it was a procession for Kerry as they racked up the points to win easily.
Great credit has to go to manager Stephen Wallace of Ardfert as well as selectors Timmy O’Sullivan of Kerins O’Rahillys, Fergus Clifford of Listry and Denis O’Sullivan of Dromid Pearses and all the back room team.
Ciarraí Abú!
Scorers for Kerry: Thomas Hickey 2-4 (0-1f), Alan O’Donoghue 0-4, Conor Cox 0-2 (0-2f), Brian Crowley 0-2, Killian Spillane 0-1, Philip O’Connor 0-1, James Walsh 0-1, Jeff O’Donoghue 0-1, Shane Murphy 0-1 (0-1 45), Tadhg Morley 0-1
Scorers for Mayo: Andrew Farrell 0-5 (0-2f), Michael Togher 0-2, Damien McGing 0-1, Eoin O’Donoghue 0-1, Declan Healy 0-1
KERRY: Shane Murphy; David Culhane, Jack McGuire, Dan O’Donoghue; Tadhg Morley, James Walsh, Gavin Crowley; Brendan O’Sullivan, Liam Kearney; Philip O’Connor, Brian Crowley, Killian Spillane; Thomas Hickey, Conor Cox, Alan O’Donoghue. Subs: Brian Sugrue for McGuire (h/t), Jeff O’Donoghue for Cox (35), Gary O’Sullivan for Spillane (39), Michael Brennan for O’Sullivan (42, black card), Eamonn Kiely for Kearney (49), David Griffin for B Crowley (53).
MAYO: Blake Forkan; Barry Leonard, Darren McHugh, Pat Barrett; Eoin O’Donoghue, Brendan Moran, Eoghan Collins; Peter Collins, Padraic Feerick; Darren Durcan, Cathal Freeman, Gavin Conway; Damien McGing, John Hutton, Ronan Malee. Subs: Andrew Farrell for Malee (8), Sean Gaughan for Leonard (24), Mickey Barrett for Gaughan (28, black card), Micheal Forde for Durcan (h/t), Declan Healy for Moran (48), Michael Togher for Collins (50).
Kerry’s Alan O’Donoghue will be hoping to bring home the All-Ireland Junior trophy back to John Mitchels if they win on Saturday.
The Kerry Junior Football Team that will face Mayo in the All Ireland Junior Football final in Croke Park on Saturday at 2pm has been named.
There team, which will be led out by captain Alan O’Donoghue of John Mitchels , shows three changes from the side that started in the semi-final win over Wexford.
Jack Maguire, a late withdrawal in that game due to injury, comes back in at full back, Brendan O’Sullivan, introduced against Wexford is named at centre field along with Liam Kearney and Thomas Hickey, who did not start the drawn game due to illness, resumes in the corner forward position.
The players to lose out are Eamonn Kiely, Brendan O’Sullivan and Jordan Kiely.
.Alan O’Donoghue of John Mitchels will captain the Kerry Juniors on Saturday. File Photo
THE Kerry Junior Football Team to play Wexford in the All Ireland Junior Football semi final in Dungarvan on Saturday at 2pm has been named.
The side, captained by John Mitchels’ Alan O’Donoghue, shows one change from the side that defeated Cork in the provincial final with Listry’s Gary O’Sullivan, introduced as a sub in that game, coming in at midfield in place of Brendan O’Sullivan.
.John Mitchels and Kerry Junior captain, Alan O’Donoghue lifting the Munster Junior Cup for Kerry. Photo: Anne O’Donoghue, Twitter.
IT was a proud night for John Mitchels as one of their men, Alan O’Donoghue, lifted the Munster Cup for the Kerry Juniors against Cork in Pairc Ui Rinn.
O’Donoghue, played his part as Kerry stormed to a 1-20 to 0-8 victory against the old enemy last night, getting the ball rolling in a week where Kerry will challenge for two more Munster titles.
The Mitchels man captained the side in the absence of an Ardfert player in the starting 15 as their St Brendan’s divisional partners were Kerry Junior champions in 2014.
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An Ardfert man was in charge of the side however. Stephen Wallace, managed Kerry to back-to-back Munster junior championships for the first time since 2002-2003.
Kerry subjected Cork to a second half onslaught, outscoring the Leesiders by 1-15 to 0-3. It was a mammoth overturn in fortunes as Kerry had actually went in trailing by three points at the end of the first half.
The key-man on the night was, Conor Cox, who scored 1-7 from play. Alan O’Donoghue, who lined out at centre-forward, got one point from play and was very close to getting a goal in the second half when his shot cannoned off the back of the Cork goalie.
Páirc Uí Rinn has proved a notoriously difficult nut to crack for Kerry teams in recent years and last night’s victory was the first by any Kerry side at the city ground since 2008.
Scorers for Kerry:
C. Cox (1-7, 1-0 pen, 2 frees, 1 45); J. O’Donoghue (0-6); T. Hickey and B. Crowley (0-2 each); A. O’Donoghue, E. Kiely, G. O’Sullivan (0-1 each).
KERRY
S. Murphy (Kilcummin); D. O’Donoghue (Spa), J. McGuire (Listowel Emmetts), D. Culhane (Ballylongford); J. Walsh (Knocknagoshel), T. Morley (Templenoe), G. Crowley (Templenoe); B. O’Sullivan (Valentia), L. Kearney (Spa); B. Crowley (Templenoe), J. O’Donoghue (Glenflesk), P. O’Connor (Cordal); A. O’Donoghue (John Mitchels, capt.), C. Cox (Listowel Emmetts), T. Hickey (Castleisland Desmonds).
Subs: G. O’Sullivan (Listry) for Kearney (25); E. Kiely (Brosna) for B. O’Sullivan (36); A. Barry (Brosna) for B. Crowley (54); M. Brennan (Churchill) for D. O’Donoghue (57); G. Gibson (Waterville) for G. Crowley, D. Griffin (Ardfert) for J. O’Donoghue (both 60).
CORK
A. Seymour (Castlehaven); A. J. O’Connor (Kiskeam), D. Murphy (Ballincollig), J. MacLoughlin (Kanturk); S. Kiely (Macroom, capt.), J. Collins (St.Mary’s), B. Daly (Newmarket); M.Ó Laoire (Naomh Abán), C. Brosnan (Brian Dillons); J. Corkery (Aghabullogue), B. Coughlan (Kinsale), M. Sugrue (Bandon); A.O’Connor (Knocknagree), S. Hickey (Rockchapel), A. Barry (Glanmire).
Subs: T. J.Brosnan (Newmarket) for O’Connor (7); P. Condon (Mayfield) for Barry (39); P. Daly (St. Mary’s) for Collins (45); R. O’Hagan (Fermoy) for O’Connor (51); J. Ryan (Newmarket) for Murphy (54).
John Mitchels’ Alan O’Donoghue (here in action against Templenoe back in March) will captain the Kerry juniors on Sunday..
JOHN Mitchels sharpshooter, Alan O’Donoghue, will captain the Kerry juniors in Sunday’s Munster Championship Semi Final v Tipperary.
The young forward has been in blistering form in the county league and is the only Tralee man in the starting 15, while Churchill players Michael Brennan and Cillian Fitzgerald are on the bench.
This means it’ll be a Tralee double of sorts with Kieran Donaghy of Stacks skippering the seniors that afternoon.
The Kerry team, playing in the curtain raiser for the senior game on Sunday, features seven of the side defeated by Cavan in the All Ireland Junior Final last year namely; Shane Murphy, Gavin Crowley, Greg Gibson, Brendan O’Sullivan, Philip O’Connor, Denis Daly and Thomas Hickey.
Gavin Crowley and Denis Daly were members of the Under 21 team this year while Spa club-mates, Dan O’Donoghue and Liam Kearney were members of the successful Kerry Minor Team last year with another of last year’s minors, Liam Carey listed in the subs.
