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Intermediate Championship Drama:
The quarter final away against Ladys Walk of Ballyduff on Tuesday the 23rd, produced a night that most certainly had it all, for our Tralee Parnells players and supporters.
A roller-coaster ride with trepidation, growing anxiety, reborn and growing hope, renewed anxiousness and then belief, followed by a cathartic sense of relief, while the sky darkened in the late fading evening in North Kerry, as extra time wound down following the dramatic conclusion of an epic encounter.
This knockout match featured a dramatic contrast of styles and playing panels that featured the home side of seasoned campaigners from a historic hurling hinterland boasting over a century of venerable playing tradition and players with decades of seasoning and experience between them.
Arriving just this year to the competition, we had newcomers from the town with a mix of young players from an array of football clubs, alloyed with more experienced players who campaigned in recent seasons in the Stack colours, plus a few more who joined the panel as the season progressed.
During the warm-ups there was a buzz of activity off the pitch, as final stages of construction are taking place for the very impressive new hurling Wall installation near the dressing rooms.
On field, from the outset it was obvious that it was not the favourable moderate southerly breeze that accounted for the differing fortunes of the two sides.
Rather it was the contrast between nerves and doubts and unsureness among the visitors, who are still gelling as a squad, as against the steady composure of the home side who relentlessly pressed forward and took their point scoring opportunities well from varying distances.
There was dismay on the away sideline as the initial good start of Ladys Walk turned into a pattern of winning ball and turning possession into a growing lead. Parnells hearts grew heavier as the half went on and the lead of 9 points to 1 at the 25 minute mark, did not flatter the North Kerry side in the slightest.
Meanwhile, there was soul searching on and off the field among the Parnellites, who were uncharacteristically slow off the mark and unable to put together any telling spells of sustained possession and attack.
The gap in performance was wider if anything than the one on the scoreboard and things were looking blue indeed until late in the half when, buttressed by some forwards switches, Parnells took a second point, quickly followed by a goalmouth scramble that raised a green flag and gave renewed hope to the travelling contingent who had become increasing sombre, despite having journeyed on the evening in hopes of witnessing at least a reasonable contest.
There was tension in the air as Parnells trudged to their dressing room and the limpness of the formerly fluttering sideline flags, as the southerly breeze died off, can have done little to hearten them, as even the wind advantage was deserting them.
The murmur and chat among the halftime crowd seemed to suggest a wondering if Parnells could bring any sustained improvement, to make the second half more of a contest.
In fairness to the visiting side, they were a changed outfit from the whistle that started the second half. Ladys Walk with the benefit of an unerring free and 65 taker, continued to increase their tally, but now the relative youth in the Tralee side transformed from a disadvantage to a benefit, as their fitness and stamina helped differentiate the sides, while a number of the stalwarts in green began to tire, having put in a huge shift in the first half.
Inexorably the gap narrowed, but having closed the margin to two points with good team play and well worked points, they saw it increase again to four by local sharpshooting as the minutes ticked on and time became precious.
The crowd now sensed that the momentum had swung and it became a race against the clock as Parnells strived hard to catch up before stoppage time ran out and the three whistles would sound.
In a grandstand finish to normal time, Parnells pegged the lead back and scored that tantalizing equalizer just in the nick of time, to a collective huge sigh of relief from their fans.
In extra time, it was difficult to credit the contrast to the first half or normal time, now it was the Tralee men who got the points and were able to make their youthful exuberance tell.
As the shades of evening drew in, we saw the conclusion of this battle royal and a hard earned quarter final victory for our new club.
In a very magnanimous gesture, the chair and captain of the Ladys Walk club came to the winning dressing room and wished us well on our journey as a new club finding our feet at the adult grade. This sentiment was much appreciated among our players and club officers.
Panel Intermediate Championship 1/4 Final:
The quarter final team that faced Ballyduff included:-
Mark Ryall, Tim Kelliher, Diarmuid Brennan, Johnny Downey, Ruarí O Sullivan, Tadhg Brick (Capt.), Eoghan McKivergan, Andrew Morrissey, Rory Forbes, Cillian O’Riordan, Ronan Gilsenan, Cathal Dunne, Shane O’Neill, Ciaran Breen, Michael O’Leary, Brian Lonergan, Darragh Keane, Kevin O’Leary, Danny Maguire.
Trip On The Ship:
For players born 2006 and earlier, we will play friendlies with Kilkee Béalatha Camogie Club @Kilrush, Co. Clare, Fri Aug 2. Bus leaves Caherslee 4:30P, returning 10:30P, all by ferry.
This fun, summer’s evening excursion to The Banner, will replace regular training. Our adults will play their adults. Our U14-15’s will mix it up with their U14’s. Supporters welcome .. Pairnéalaigh Abú!
Kerry Intermediate Hurling Championship semi Final:
Tralee Parnells vs Kilgarvan, Tuesday the 6th of August at 7pm in Lewis Road, Killarney.
Parnells Cúl Camp:
Parnells Cúl Camp takes place in Caherslee GAA grounds from the 12th August to the 16th of August. Book your place online, discount available if your child did a Cúl camp already this year.
https://www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie/booking/online/…
Minor Hurling:
Our 1st round of minor championship away to Causeway/Kilmoyley on Monday. Throw in 7:30.
Car pooling from Caherslee at 6:15 or be at Kilmoyley no later than 6:45.
Biggest game of the year for this panel – please come rested and prepared.
Under 17 Camogie:
Brilliant day out in Waterford for our u17s Saturday at the 7s tournament. We had two teams on the day both applied themselves brilliantly over the 3 games each for both teams.
The more we played the better they got. 15x U17’s travelled to Tallow GAA, Waterford, Saturday for Round 3 of the Munster Club 7’s Summer Series.
We entered 2x teams, Amber & Royal, & had some super play & scores against East Cork, Tipp & Déise clubs including Lismore, Rosrea, Aghabollogue, Cahir. Finals will be on Sun Aug 11 @ Holycross Ballycahill GAA in Tipp. Thank you to Diarmuid, Geraldine Cook & Andrea from Spain, for giving up their Saturday to bring the girls on the roadtrip today. Pairnéalaigh Abú!
Under 10 Camogie:
We had 24 U10’s girls playing at Killarney’s summer Blitz Saturday morning! Our two teams we fantastic and the investment that Diarmuid Brennan and all the U10’s Mentors have been putting in really showed today! Tralee Parnells Camogie very strong for the future!!
All-Ireland U16C Camogie:
Tralee Parnells are proud of Tralee Parnells Katie Dwyer, Saoirse Maloney and Saorlaith Moore, part of the Kerry team progressing to the All-Ireland U16C Camogie Championship Semi-finals, Sun Aug 11, details to follow when known.
