.Raymond Galvin, Brian McAuliffe, Darragh Shanahan, Declan McCarthy and Conor O’Keeffe at the Lixnaw GAA Victory Social at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE senior county championship win was rightly celebrated, but there was also a tinge of sadness to Lixnaw’s Victory Social in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night.
Around 170 of the club faithful enjoyed a night of great food and music as they looked back on a year when they brought the Neilus Flynn Cup back to the parish.
The social was rescheduled from an earlier date in January, as a mark of respect to the late Eamonn Fitzmaurice Snr who passed away last month.
The club also paid a special tribute on the night to the late Paul Wallace, the club’s chairman who died unexpectedly in early October. He was also inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame, which was certainly a poignant moment for all present.
Continued below…
.
On the field, it was a great year for the seniors and an unexpected title for many as Chairman Mike Kelliher explained.
“At the start of the summer, nobody thought we would win the county championship as we had a number of players out and then two players were injured playing football. We then lost the opening game against Causeway. But we met them again later in the semi-final and beat them. It was an exciting final then, with a very exciting finish!”
“We have a new executive in the club and a lot of plans for the future so we’d be hoping to drive on from here,” added Mike.
The senior players received their county championship medals on the night and Shane Conway was honoured for his Man of the Match performance in the final for Lixnaw and his All-Ireland U21B Player of the Year award.
Three other clubmen who represented Kerry at that grade were also recognised — David Silles, Shane McElligott and Colin Sheehy. The Clubman of the Year award was presented to Patrick McCarthy. Scroll down for photos…
Vicky Keane, Michelle Galvin and Catriona O’Dowd at the Lixnaw GAA Victory Social at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Aoife Griffin and Jonathan Silles at the Lixnaw GAA Victory Social at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanJosephine O’Reilly and Kathleen Clifford at the Lixnaw GAA Victory Social at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Ciaran Walsh, Grainne Walsh and Anne Walsh at the Lixnaw GAA Victory Social at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanBilly Stack, Liam O’Brien, Aodán Shanahan and Darragh Conway at the Lixnaw GAA Victory Social at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanDarragh Shanahan, Denise Sheehy, Emma Casey and Juliette Clifford at the Lixnaw GAA Victory Social at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Edmund and Tess Daughton at the Lixnaw GAA Victory Social at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanTheresa Fitzmaurice, Noreen O’Keeffe, Roger Hussey, Mairead Fitzgerald and Conor O’Keeffe at the Lixnaw GAA Victory Social at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Kathleen Foley, Mike Kelliher and Patricia Foley at the Lixnaw GAA Victory Social at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanTJ Cronin and Helen Cronin at the Lixnaw GAA Victory Social at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClodagh McElligott, Sarah McElligott and Eleanor Reidy at the Lixnaw GAA Victory Social at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanBrendan Lynch and Eileen Ahern at the Lixnaw GAA Victory Social at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanNick Mullin, Elaine Mullins, Mary Shanahan, Christina Buckley and Stephen Buckley at the Lixnaw GAA Victory Social at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanThe Lixnaw Executive, in front; Chairman Mike Kelliher and Assistant Treasurer Geraldine Shanahan. Back; Treasurer Stephen Buckley; Vice-Chairman Tommy Molyneaux; Edmund Daughton and Tom Foley at the Lixnaw GAA Victory Social at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanMembers of Lixnaw Comhaltas playing at the Lixnaw GAA Victory Social at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanThe trophy and medals displayed at the Lixnaw GAA Victory Social at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
.Jason Wallace raises the cup aloft after being presented with the cup by Gerard McCarthy, Hurling Officer with the County Board. Photo by Dermot Crean
LIXNAW won the Acorn Life County Under 21 Hurling Championship Final for the first time since 2004 on Saturday evening in front of a good crowd in Abbeydorney.
The final score was Lixnaw 3-15 to St. Brendan’s 1-12 and the green and gold men were worthy winners.
Continued below…
.
An early goal from Shane Conway in the fifth minute set Lixnaw on their way and they led 1-4 to 0-3 after the first quarter.
However St Brendan’s came back at them and Cian Hussey was in fine form to ensure the sides went in level, 0-7 apiece at the break.
Continued below…
A fine catch by Shane Conway of Lixnaw. Photo by Dermot Crean
Lixnaw kicked on in the second-half though and two goals in the 35th (Colin Sheehy) and 37th minutes (an own goal from Kevin Hannifin) put them into a five point lead.
Eric Leen scored a goal back for St Brendan’s, but Lixnaw had the greater desire and pulled away towards the end.
Fionan Horgan attempts to dispossess Jason Wallace. Photo by Dermot Crean
Hurling Officer with the Kerry County Board, Gerard McCarthy, presented Jason Wallace with the cup while Shane Conway won the Acorn Life Player of the Match Award.
SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE PHOTOS
TEAMS:
Lixnaw: David Silles, William O’Connor, Liam Mullins, Tom Foley, William Costello, Darragh Shanahan, Conor O’Keeffe, John Buckley (0-1), Ger Stackpoole, Michael Stackpoole, Jeremy McKenna (0-2), Brian McAuliffe, Colin Sheehy (1-1), Shane Conway (1-10, 6f), Jason Wallace (0-1).
St Brendan’s: Ryan Delaney, Shane O’Mahony, Kevin Hannafin (0-1), Daniel Finnegan, Eoghan Kearney, Fionan Horgan (capt.), Adrian Nolan, Fionan Mackessy, Jack Savage, Brendan O’Connor, Padraig Kearney (0-2), Eric Leen (1-4, 4f), Gearóid Sheehan, Padraig O’Mahony, Cian Hussey (0-5).
Subs: Eoghan Courtney, Aidan Healy.
Fionan Horgan clears the ball despite Jason Wallace’s efforts. Photo by Dermot Crean.Fionan Horgan tries to break past Jeremy McKenna. Photo by Dermot CreanTense moments at the closing stages of the game. Photo by Dermot Crean.Shane Conway and Michael Stackpoole celebrate after the game. Photo by Dermot CreanLixnaw players celebrate after the game. Photo by Dermot Crean.Jason Wallace lifts the cup. Photo by Dermot CreanJason Wallace accepts the cup from Gerard McCarthy, Hurling Officer with the Kerry County Board while Shane Conway won Man of the Match. Photo by Dermot CreanThe victorious Lixnaw hurling team, Under 21 champions. Photo by Dermot CreanThe victorious Lixnaw hurling team, Under 21 champions. Photo by Dermot Crean
Mike O’Halloran on the Keane’s SuperValu Killorglin County Minor Hurling Championship Final on Saturday…
Action from the Lixnaw v St Brendan’s minor final. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
THERE was a comprehensive win for Lixnaw over St Brendan’s Ardfert in the minor county hurling final in Kilmoyley on Saturday on a scoreline of 3-19 points to 1-10.
Lixnaw led at halftime by seven points (0-11 to 0-4).
They were never behind in this game and had their first point on 40 seconds from a free by the most complete underage hurler in the county, Shane Conway.
A minute later, his equally talented fellow forward Colin Sheehy tapped over another. Sheehy to my mind went on to have a man of the match display for Lixnaw using all his immense skill and ferocious speed to score almost every time he got the ball.
Fionan MacKessey had two points for St Brendan’s either side of a point from Jeremy McKenna, so Lixnaw led by four points on 20 minutes 0-7 to 0-3.
Action from the Lixnaw v St Brendan’s minor final. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
On 23 minutes, Fionan MacKessy brought a save from Robert Siles in the Lixnaw goal. The shot was weak but I thought it might be a sign of a St Brendan’s comeback.
Lixnaw added four more points before halftime, led by their captain John Buckley from midfield who, as well as winning possession and running at the St Brendans defence, also scored two points.
A revival of sorts came for a few minutes at the start of the second half for St Brendans, when they scored two points without reply to leave five between them after three minutes.
The Lixnaw team who won the minor final. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
The revival was well put on hold when Lixnaw’s ‘Captain Fantastic’, John Buckley drove through the Brendan’s defence to slap the ball to the net 1-11 to 0-7 now seven minutes into the second half.
Points followed from Conway, two and one from Buckley, then Colin Sheehy by far the best forward on display well and truly buried St Brendan’s revival when he blasted to the net on eleven minutes.
Jack Allen had a goal for Lixnaw towards the end to cancel out the goal from a free by Fionan MacKessey.
Colin Sheehy finished the game with 1-6 to his name and while he was the stand out player, there was hardly a weak link in this most impressive team.
Rob Silles was hardly bothered in the goal, his brother Dave at fullback didn’t put a foot wrong.
The St Brendans team who contested the minor final. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Gerard Stackpoole at centre back was also impressive while John Buckley worked his socks off as did Jeremy MacKenna at centre forward.
Shane Conway was at his ease with the placed balls and in general play.
For St Brendan’s, who were under the cosh all day never gave up with Iarla Courtney, Fionan MacKessy and Eric Leen showing best for them.
Lixnaw made it two titles in a row with this impressive win and their conveyer belt of talented hurlers means their future is secure in the world of hurling in Kerry.
TEAMS
St Brendan’s: Shane McCrohan, Shane O Mahony, Aaron Tompson, James Lawlor, Adrian Nolan, Iarla Courtney, Geroid Savage, Fionan MacKessey, Eoghan Kearney, Padraigh O Connor Cpt, Eric Leen, Jimmy Shanahan, Michael Davis, Padraigh O Mahony, Jack McCarthy.
Lixnaw: Robert Silles, Tom Foley, David Siles, Conor O Keefe, Liam Mullins, Gerard Stackpoole, William Costello, John Buckley Cpt, Brian McAuliffe, Shane Conway, Jeremy McKenna, Davin Quilter, Colin Sheehy, Jamie Galvin, Jason Keane.
FOOTNOTE: The pitch in Kilmoyley was in its usual pristine condition but there was no scoreboard and the programs did not arrive until quite a few of the supporters had entered the ground.
Another aspect of the game was the amount of people who spent most of the game twenty metres into the field of play despite the pleadings of the officials.
Thanks to Josephine O’Riordan of St Brendans for the use of her camera
Mike O’Halloran reports from Causeway on Kilmoyley’s victory over Crotta O’Neill’s in the Garveys Supervalu Kerry SHC tie on Sunday…
Kilmoyley’s Daniel Collins lines up a shot during the match yesterday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
Kilmoyley 1-12
Crotta O’Neills 0-10
I WAS not at the double header last Sunday in Causeway, where Kilmoyley and Crotta O’Neills played out a draw in the sunshine.
There was no sunshine in Causeway yesterday. The only ray of sunshine was the wonderful spread of goodies the ladies committee of Causeway Hurling Club provided for their visitors to eat pre, during and post match.
The organisation was again superb with a large number of stewards directing patrons in the most friendly and informative and safe manner.
Continued below…
.
The stewards are doing all this work on behalf of their club, the county board and us patrons on a voluntary basis and I was surprised to learn that they spent hours stewarding for the double header on Sunday last in Causeway and then drove to see the Ballyduff v Causeway game in Kilmoyley, where they were charged the full admission fee.
Surely there should at least be a reduced admission fee for all stewards entering games.
The game itself was described by somebody as a cross between ‘The Longest Day’ and ‘War and Peace’.
Action from yesterday’s Crotta v Kilmoyley match yesterday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
Kilmoyley won it on a scoreline of 1-12 to 0-10. So poor was this game that my report could end there, but given that the second half of the ordinary time game went on for nearly 44 minutes and there was extra time it deserves more than a line or two.
The game was played in poor weather conditions on a good surface. The sky was dark and it matched the quality of the game. I had tipped Kilmoyley to win this game as I felt that their experience in big games would stand to them and I think that was the difference today.
Crotta played with the wind in the first half and opened the scoring on one and a half minutes when Shane Nolan pointed a free.
Crotta’s Adrian O’Mahony tries to evade Kilmoyley’s Jordan Brick during yesterday’s match in Causeway. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
Daniel Collins replied with a pointed free that was the scenario for most of the game with Shane Nolan tapping over six points from frees in the first half with Philip Twomey powering over a point from play, for Kilmoyley Daniel Collins had four pointed frees, to leave the halftime score Kilmoyley 0-4 Crotta 0-7.
Daniel Collins, who seemed to be carrying an injury, added five more points in the second half, four from frees and one from play. Shane Nolan had two in reply to force a draw in XXXL time, 0-9 points each.
So to extra time where Daniel Collins added 1-2 points, the goal coming from a penalty which he dispatched with aplomb.
Kilmoyley’s Daniel Collins speeds away from Crotta’s Jordan Conway during yesterday’s match. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
Adrian Royle had the other point for Kilmoyley. Shane Nolan added one point for Crotta, but they were off target with five other attempts.
So the final score was Kilmoyley 1-12 Crotta 0-10.
I know the weather conditions were poor with wind and rain, but it hardly excuses the quality of the hurling which was poor to say the least.
Crotta’s Tom McElligott comes away with the ball during yesterday’s match. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
Furthermore there were a number of incidents during the game that could have erupted into chaos with serious consequences, only that the players disciplined themselves in the nick of time.
Perhaps the fact that the losers were to have a second chance also prevented matters getting beyond the control of the officials.
It is a pity to report that there was also some activity outside the white lines that did not make for good viewing.
More photos below…
Crotta backs facing up to a shot on goal during the match yesterday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorMichael O’Regan clutches the sliotar from the sky during yesterday’s match. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
THERE was a great night of celebration in the Ballyyoe Heights Hotel last night as Lixnaw GAA club held its annual social.
It’s been a great year for the club as they captured the Kerry Senior Hurling title back in October.
The club faithful enjoyed a four course meal followed by music by Real Deal followed by Big Jim’s Disco.
The minor and senior hurlers were also presented with their county championship medals on a great night for the club.
Scroll down for photos…
At the Lixnaw GAA function were, from left: Colin Sheehy, Jason Keane, Gerard McKenna, Robert Silles and Tom Foley. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
At the Lixnaw GAA function were, from left: Gary Kelliher and Claire Shaughnessy. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Lixnaw GAA function were, from left: Siobhan Rahilly, Fionnuala O’Connor, Katherine Rahilly, Mag O’Sullivan, Paudie Shanahan and Amanda Brosnan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Lixnaw GAA function were, from left: Sharon O’Keeffe, Ann McCarthy, Helena O’Keeffe, David Silles and John Buckley. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Lixnaw GAA function were, from left: Sinead McCrohan and Liam Reilly. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Lixnaw GAA function were, from left: Stephanie, Christina and Michelle Buckley. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Lixnaw GAA function were, from left: Lee Mullins, Thomas Molyneaux, Gerard Stackpoole and Stephen Keane. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Lixnaw GAA function were, from left: Jacinta McCarthy, Blair Pearson, Leanne Costello and Samantha Kelly. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Lixnaw GAA function were, from left: Samantha Stackpoole and Sandra Caffrey. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Lixnaw GAA function were, from left: Con O’Keeffe, Noreen O’Keeffe, Pat Ger McElligott and Julianne O’Keeffe. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
