.Niamh Carmody of Kerry in action last week. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
KERRY have home advantage on Sunday as they hope to build on their great start to their League campaign.
After their win over Dublin on the road last Saturday, Waterford provide the opposition at Fitzgerald Stadium this Sunday in a match which has a 2pm throw-in.
Tickets for the game can be bought by clicking here. Here’s the team captained by Niamh Carmody…
Kevin Egan reports on the Lidl All Ireland Post Primary School Senior B Championship Final played this afternoon…
Convent of Mercy, Roscommon 2-11
Mercy Mounthawk, Tralee 2-6
Lisa Slattery of Mercy Mounthawk Kerry in action against Erin McDermott of Convent of Mercy Roscommon during the Lidl All Ireland Post Primary School Senior ‘B’ Championship Final match between Convent of Mercy, Roscommon and Mercy Mounthawk, Kerry, at MacDonagh Park in Nenagh, Tipperary. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
A powerful final quarter surge was enough to secure the Lidl All-Ireland Post Primary School Senior B title for Convent of Mercy from Roscommon, with goals from Siofra Hession and Aisling Hanly the crucial scores at Éire Óg GAA club in Nenagh.
It’s a first All-Ireland crown for the Roscommon school since they secured their first national title since winning the Senior A crown back in 2009.
The wind-assisted Mercy Mounthawk girls got out to a flying start when good work from Róisín Rahilly set up Katie Nix on the corner of the large square and the Kerins O’Rahillys attacker didn’t waste her chance, rifling a clinical shot to the bottom corner of the Convent of Mercy net.
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The Connacht champions settled well into the game from there and seemed to offer a much more varied threat up front.
County senior star and team captain Aisling Hanly was flagged as the main threat and she did land some good points, but Mercy Mounthawk couldn’t afford to expend too much defensive energy on the Kilbride player as Ciara Dowd, Niamh Walsh and Shauna Walsh chipped over good points from play in the opening half to help them get to half-time all square at 0-6 to 1-3.
oibhin O’Connor MacCarthy of Mercy Mounthawk Kerry in action against Erin McDermott of Convent of Mercy Roscommon during the Lidl All Ireland Post Primary School Senior ‘B’ Championship Final match between Convent of Mercy, Roscommon and Mercy Mounthawk, Kerry, at MacDonagh Park in Nenagh, Tipperary. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Rahilly and Grace Reidy worked hard in the middle third to win some good turnover ball and when Mercy Mounthawk carried the ball straight through the Convent of Mercy defence, they posed a threat, but excellent defensive work from Lilly and Hannah Murray, as well as an excellent performance from Erin McDermott ensured that the Tralee school never built up any significant scoring momentum.
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Seven second half wides from Mercy Mounthawk illustrated the difficulty in shooting into the wind, but it still took time for Convent of Mercy to take control of the game, and going into the final quarter, it was still very tightly poised at 0-8 to 1-4.
Mercy Mounthawk, Kerry, supporters before during the Lidl All Ireland Post Primary School Senior ‘B’ Championship Final match between Convent of Mercy, Roscommon and Mercy Mounthawk, Kerry, at MacDonagh Park in Nenagh, Tipperary. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
The game was blown wide open in the space of two minutes however when Siofra Hession and Lilly Murray kicked points either side of a superb goal from Hession, blasted into the roof of the net after some slick handpassing and great pace down the left flank cut open the Mercy Mounthawk defence.
Convent of Mercy continued in the ascendancy and moved nine points clear when Hanly burst through the cover and cleverly rolled the ball underneath Kelly Fitzgerald, who had made some fine saves in the Mercy Mounthawk goal up to that point, but they had to endure some sticky moments at the end after yellow cards for Hession and Aisling Shanagher left them short-handed in the closing minutes.
Katie Nix of Mercy Mounthawk Kerry scores her side’s first goal during the Lidl All Ireland Post Primary School Senior ‘B’ Championship Final match between Convent of Mercy, Roscommon and Mercy Mounthawk, Kerry, at MacDonagh Park in Nenagh, Tipperary. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
With pressure mounting, Róisín Rahilly won a late penalty that Holly O’Brien converted, but outside of that, Convent of Mercy held their discipline to see their way through four minutes of stoppage time.
SCORERS:
Convent of Mercy: A Hanly 1-2, S Hession 1-1, N Walsh 0-3 (0-1f), C Dowd 0-3 (0-1f), S Walsh 0-1, L Murray 0-1.
Mercy Mounthawk: L Slattery 0-4 (0-2f), K Nix 1-0, H O’Brien 1-0 pen, A O’Connor McCarthy 0-1. R Rahilly 0-1f.
CONVENT OF MERCY: É Dowd; M Lohan, E McDermott, E McNeill; H Murray, L Murray, A Hussey; A Shanagher, E Biesty; E Tully, N Walsh, S Walsh; S Hession, A Hanly, C Dowd. Subs: Z Fallon for Biesty (45), J Morris for S Walsh (56), M Rogers for McNeill (57), A Mulry for H Murray (59), MA Feeley for Tully (60).
MERCY MOUNTHAWK: K Fitzgerald; R O’Donnell, É O’Connor, L Reilly; O McKenna, G Reidy, K Coffey; N Quinn, C Gannon; R Rahilly, H O’Brien, K Enright; K Nix, L Slattery, A O’Connor McCarthy. Sub: E Costello for Enright (40).
Ref: Ger Canny (Mayo).
Niamh Quinn of Mercy Mounthawk Kerry in action against Erin McDermott of Convent of Mercy Roscommon during the Lidl All Ireland Post Primary School Senior ‘B’ Championship Final match between Convent of Mercy, Roscommon and Mercy Mounthawk, Kerry, at MacDonagh Park in Nenagh, Tipperary. Photo by David Fitzgerald/SportsfileMercy Mounthawk, Kerry supporters during the Lidl All Ireland Post Primary School Senior ‘B’ Championship Final match between Convent of Mercy, Roscommon and Mercy Mounthawk, Kerry, at MacDonagh Park in Nenagh, Tipperary. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
.Abbeydorney Under 16s players and coaches at the awards.
THE future of ladies football in Abbeydorney appears to be in safe hands judging by the impressive array of medals, trophies and awards presented at the local club’s awards ceremony at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Sunday afternoon.
Over 270 guests attended the Abbeydorney LGFA event – the first in-person celebration held by the club in three years due to Covid-19.
From the U6s right up to senior level, hundreds of players were honoured for their achievements on the football field over the past three seasons.
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While all girls were honoured with a medal for their participation in the club, the success of the competitive teams (from U12 upwards) was also celebrated on the day, highlighting the vast array of talent that currently exists in all competitions.
The U12 panels achieved no fewer than 10 impressive titles over the past three years – highlights including the North Kerry and County Division One titles in 2022: the U14s were celebrated for winning the North Kerry Division One Shield in 2021 and 2022, while the U16s were honoured on Sunday for claiming the 2021 County Division 2 Cup.
Abbeydorney young players and coaches at the awards.
Other teams honoured at the event were the minor ladies team who won the 2022 Division 2 County final, as well as the junior panel who won the 2020 County Junior B championship.
Another special feature of the evening was a presentation to 11 club players who are, or have, represented Kerry at various levels over the past two years.
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Among them is senior ladies star Ciara McCarthy who was the special guest on the day and presented all the girls with their respective medals and awards.
Outgoing club chairman Sean O’Loughlin paid tribute to the players for their tremendous success over the past three seasons, and said it was an honour to have served the club over the last number of years.
Taking over the reins as chairperson, Ursula Scullion said that the commitment, hard work and dedication shown by the players – from academy players to seniors – is a credit to the coaches, parents, and of course the members themselves.
The Abbeydorney Under 12s and coaches at the awards ceremony.
She paid tribute also to the impressive number of club players currently representing Kerry in their respective age groups, and said she has no doubt there will be many more Abbeydorney ladies donning the green and gold in years to come.
She also thanked the club’s coaches and committee members who go above and beyond behind the scenes each year to help bring such success to club.
And with training for all ages set to resume in the coming weeks, the newly-elected chairperson encouraged new members to get involved and share in the fun, friendships and camaraderie that is an integral part of what Abbeydorney LGFA is all about.
.Kelly Hayes with James Hayes, Bernie Hayes and Frank McLoughlin of the North Kerry Ladies Football Board promoting the upcoming U10 blitz for charity on this Saturday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
YOUNG girls from Tralee and beyond are set to gather for a football blitz this Saturday at the Kerins O’Rahillys pitches for a great cause.
The Under 10 blitz, sponsored by Terrys Butchers in Oakpark, will feature 16 teams from 12 clubs in Tralee and North Kerry, playing each other at Pat Healy Park in Ballyrickard from 11am to 1pm.
The event is normally held each year with funds raised going towards the North Kerry Ladies Board, but the organisers were touched by local Garda, Mary Gardiner’s fundraising efforts and decided to help her campaign instead.
Each team pays a €30 entry fee (or €50 for two teams from the same club) with all fundsraised on Saturday will go towards her campaign for Breast Cancer Ireland which has already raised over €32,000.
THE Kerry ladies football team faces Armagh in the Lidl Ladies NFL Division 2 Round 6 game on Sunday at the Athletic Grounds, Armagh. Throw in is at 12noon and here’s the team.
1 Laura Fitzgerald – Na Gaeil
2 Tara Breen – Beaufort
3 Kayleigh Cronin – Dr Crokes
4 Aishling O Connell – Eire Og
5 Sarah Murphy – Rathmore
6 Aislinn Desmond – Rathmore
7 Anna Galvin – Southern Gaels
8 Lorraine Scanlon – Castleisland Desmonds
9 Amanda Brosnan (Captain) – Dr Crokes
10 Niamh Carmody – Finuge/St Senans
11 Sarah Houlihan – Beaufort
12 Sophie lynch – Listowel Emmets
13 Miriam O Keeffe -Finuge/St Senans
14 Erica McGlynn – Fossa
15 Hannah O Donoghue – Beaufort
16 Robyn White – Ballymac
17 Fiadhna Tangney – Beaufort
18 Louise Ni Mhuireachtaigh – Corca Dhuibhne
19 Aoife Newell – Na Gaeil
20 Aoife O Callaghan – Rathmore
21 Eilis Lynch – Castleisland Desmonds
22 Megan O’Connor – Na Gaeil
23 Amy Foley – Beaufort
24 Brid Ryan – Rathmore
25 Laoise Coughlan – Rathmore
26 Anna O Reilly – Fossa
27 Emma O’Sullivan – Miltown/Listry
28 Kate Maher – Kilcummin
Also, the Kerry ladies U16 side are in action against Cork and the team shows one change to the team that defeated Tipperary in Fitzgerald Stadium.
The Munster U16A Championship tie takes place in Ballinlough GAA – Cork City on Sunday. Throw in 1:00pm
Ciara Butler – Castlegregory
Heather McNamara – Austin Stacks
Jessie Cahill – Castleisland Desmonds
Shonagh Fitzpatrick – Southern Gaels
Sarah Barrett – Na Gaeil
Lily O’Brien – Rathmore
Kerri Ann Hanrahan – Killarney Legion
Rachel Dwyer – Southern Gaels
Alice O’Leary – Rathmore
Katie Brosnan – Firies
Ellie O’Connell Southern Gaels
Leah Boyle – Scartaglen
Siobhan Ní Chuanaigh – Corca Dhuibhne
Amy Harrington – Kenmare
Cora Savage – Ballymac
Mary Ellen Bolger – Southern Gaels
Finόla Ní Cathasaigh – Castlegregory
Paris McCarthy – Castleisland Desmonds
Emily O’Sullivan – Southern Gaels
Maeve Daly – Southern Gaels
Jane Lawlor – Scartaglen
Rachel O’Sullivan – Scartaglen
Holly Power – Dr. Crokes
Ashling Stack – Killarney Legion
Aoife O’Flaherty – Finuge/St. Senans)
Aoife Dwyer – Southern Gaels
Clodagh Sheehan – Killarney Legion
Mairin Duffy – Cromane
Manager: John Doona (Killarney Legion)
THE Kerry Ladies team to face Clare in Round 1 of the Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 2 Round 1 fixture has been announced. The venue is Doonbeg, Co. Clare and the game throws in at 2pm. The team is as follows;
By Eamon Fitzgerald, GAA Game Development Officer ITT
The IT Tralee Ladies Football team.
IT Tralee Ladies Football team will travel to Dublin this Friday to take part in the O’Connor Cup Finals weekend. IT Tralee will play in the Moynihan Cup semi-final against Letterkenny IT on Friday at 3pm.
This game will take place at the IT Blanchardstown GAA pitch. The IT Tralee team are managed by former student Alan Duggan and he is assisted by current students Jack Morgan and George Bastible. So far this year the team reached the League final before Christmas where they were defeated by St. Mary’s University, Belfast.
IT Tralee were drawn against UCD3 in round 1 of the competition whom they defeated on a scoreline of IT Tralee 3-03 UCD3 0-01.
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This win meant IT Tralee would face Mary Immaculate College Limerick 2 in the quarter-final. Once again, IT Tralee were victorius – this time on a scoreline of IT Tralee 4-09 Mary Immaculate College Limerick 0-10.
Tralee native Katelynn O Sullivan helping herself to 3 goals in the process. IT Tralee will go in to the semi-final against Letterkenny IT in a confident mood as a result of these two victories.
However, while very little is known about the calibre of the Letterkenny IT players, they are managed by current Donegal star Michael Murphy and are sure to be well organised and ready for the IT Tralee challenge.
IT Tralee will be looking to top scorer Katelynn O Sullivan, team captain Kate Mannix along with Michelle Parker from Cork, Kildare senior Aine Nash, Offaly senior Aoife Carey and Wicklow’s Laura Clarke to lead them to glory.
Other Kerry players involved are Diana O Keeffe (John Mitchels), Jesse Griffin (Cromane) and Katie Sugrue (Scartaglin).
If IT Tralee are victorius on Friday they will then play the winners of the other semi-final between St. Mary’s University, Belfast and Dundalk IT in the Moynihan Cup final.
This game will take place on Saturday evening at 7pm at the Abbottstown GAA National Games Development Centre. Here’s hoping for a great weekend of Ladies Football for the IT Tralee girls!!
Paddy White reports on the Randles Bros Nissan Junior A Championship Final between Austin Stacks and Kilcummin on Friday night (photos by Adrienne McLoughlin)…
Dave Randles of Randles Bros. (Nissan Dealers) presented the Kirbys Brogue Inn Perpetual Cup to Austin Stacks captain, Karena Slattery. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin.
Austin Stacks 3-17
Kilcummin 2-15 (AET)
Austin Stacks started the stronger with 1-3, the goal coming soccer-style from Marina Barry Walsh and 3 points from her daughter Caoimhe as well as from Aoife Brick and Breda Slattery.
In the opening 10 minutes as they dominated, but Kilcummin settled and by the end of the first quarter the sides were level as Aislinn O’Donoghue raised the green flag and Debbie Murphy with 2 points and 1 from Eilish O’Leary.
Stacks again found the net in the 20th minute as Megan O’Brien – who proved to be a constant thorn in the Kilcummin defence – stole inside her marker and finished it well to the Kilcummin net.
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.Action from the Kerry Ladies Gaelic Football/Randle Bros. Junior ‘A’ Championship Final between Austin Stacks v Kilcummin. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin.
In the closing minutes of the first half, both sides traded further points and Stacks held a lead of four at half time. Austin Stacks 2-7 Kilcummin 1-6.
In the 2nd half, Stacks went five ahead on 40 minutes. But Kilcummin had two points from frees and then worked the ball well and raised the green flag to level matters with 10 minutes remaining.
Both sides again traded points as Nikki Sheehy and Breda Slattery converted and these were cancelled out by Kilcummin’s Debbie Murphy and Kilcummin’s last point from Aislinn O’Donoghue forced the game into extra-time, 2-11 apiece.
In the first period of extra time, Stacks held a lead of three by half time as Molly Carroll, Laura Rogers and Megan O’Brien found the target. Kilcummin’s two efforts came from Zara Blackwell and Eilish O’Leary to leave three between the sides, 2-16 to 2-13.
However, the second half of extra time wasn’t for the faint hearted and both sides raised the tempo and showed true grit as Kilcummin – with two points again from Zara Blackwell and Debbie Murphy – reduced the deficit to one and with spectators from both sides giving vocal support that wouldn’t go amiss in Croke Park, it fired up both teams.
Megan O’Brien, had another point from play as Stacks went two ahead, but it was Austin Stacks Meadbh McKivergan who sealed victory for the Rockies as she drilled the ball low past the Kilcummin keeper and followed it with a point, which sealed the victory for the Tralee side.
The final score; Austin Stacks 3-17 Kilcummin 2-15.
Stacks captain Kerana Slattery collected the Randles Bros sponsored Junior “A” Cup from Dave Randles of Randles Bros. Austin Stacks now go forward into the Munster MLGFA Junior Club championships in the coming weeks. Scroll down for photos…
The victorious Austin Stacks after accepting the Kirbys Brogue Inn Perpetual Cup. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin..The Austin Stacks team that lined out in the out in the Kerry Ladies Gaelic Football/Randle Bros. Junior ‘A’ Championship Final. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlinThe Kilcummin team that lined out in the Kerry Ladies Gaelic Football/Randle Bros. Junior ‘A’ Championship Final. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
.Garda Claire Dennehy, Garda Deirdre Quinn, Sergeant Eileen O’Sullivan and Garda Aidan O’Mahony at the fundraiser on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
MEMBERS of the Kerry Garda Síochána and Na Gaeil GAA ladies took part in the tenth ‘Carmel O’Connor Memorial Shield’ match on Saturday, all for a good cause.
The event, dedicated to the memory of their late Listowel-based former colleague, was held for in aid of the Tralee branch of the Irish Red Cross.
Gardaí from all over the Tralee, Listowel and Killarney areas were part of the team taking on Mná Na Gaeil team at the Na Gaeil Club grounds and it was the home side who emerged victorious on a scoreline of 5-3 to 2-3.
A great time was had and essential funds raised for the Red Cross.
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.The Kerry Garda team and trainer who played the ladies from Na Gaeil on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean.
The Mná na nGaeil team who took on the gardaí on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanJack Fitzgerald, David O’Connor, Laura Walsh, Noreen Walsh, Emily Walsh, Kate O’Connor and Cathy Canty at the fundraising football match on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanFrances Bowler, Sorcha Ní Shuilleabháin, Ava Dewey and Marie Dewey at the fundraising football match on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanSophie, Jason and Naomi Mitchell at the fundraising football match on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanMarguerite Maunsell and Caroline Dillane with Na Gaeil trainer Eddie Sheehy.
THE Kerry ladies football team faces Armagh in the Lidl Ladies NFL Division 2 Round 6 game on Sunday at the Athletic Grounds, Armagh. Throw in is at 12noon and here’s the team.
