Tralee Parnells senior team.
Last Sunday was a historic day for Tralee Parnells Hurling & Camogie Club. Our Senior hurlers were playing in their first Kerry Hurling Intermediate Championship Final since being granted Senior status only last year.
The ‘Parnells’ project started in 2012 when a group of visionaries, including Mark Ryall, David Brick, Dermot Reen and Rory Kerins got together and were adamant that they were going to promote juvenile hurling and camogie in Tralee and its catchment area.
Since then, the club has gone from strength to strength and the Senior Club was established to ensure the juveniles had somewhere to continue to play hurling.
Unfortunately, the result didn’t go our way, but no doubt the team will be back, better and stronger and will grace Austin Stacks Park again.
The club is extremely grateful to all our sponsors that helped prepare the team for the final, including Pro-Plan, Roadbridge, Laois Hire, Lee Strand, Corrib Oil, Kellihers Garage, Garveys Tralee and all who donated to the club gofundme page.
It was a week in which lady luck deserted all our hurling and camogie teams who had reached their respective semi-finals or finals. However, in all cases, they went down fighting and displayed an admirable level of skill and commitment. The future is definitely bright for hurling and camogie in Tralee.
Senior Hurling
Tralee Parnells 0-14
Dr. Crokes 2-15
On a beautiful day for hurling on a perfect Austin Stacks pitch, Tralee Parnells senior hurlers were bidding to win the County Intermediate Championship for the first time.
Having beaten St. Brendans and Kilgarvan along the way, the team had earned their rightful place in the final. However, despite going toe to toe with their final opponents Dr. Crokes for three quarters of the match, Crokes were more clinical in front of goal and their two goals ultimately proved the difference between the teams.
Dr. Crokes were quickest out of the blocks with 3 points on the board within 4 minutes, with 2 points from corner forward Tom Doyle and a pointed free from full forward Michael Lenihan. Parnells seemed to be second best to everything in the early stages, but they eventually found their rhythm and Cillian O’Riordain and Darragh Reen soon made it a 1 point game.
Two further points from Crokes followed but a superb point from distance by centre back Luke Barrett and a free from Gearoid O’Doherty made it 0-6 0-4 at the first water break.
Parnells and Doherty hit a purple patch after the break with 3 points in a row from Doherty, including 2 sublime points from play from the middle of the field levelling matters at 7 points apiece. Lenihan added 2 more points for Crokes and Reen had another score from play in reply. Half Time: Tralee Parnells 0-8 Dr. Crokes 0-9
Even though they hadn’t hurled particularly well, Parnells were still in the game and started to take control around the middle with some fierce hooking and blocking. Doherty added another free and 2 inspirational points from midfielder Tadhg Brick had Parnells in front for the first time.
At the back, Mark Ryall in the Parnells goal was performing heroics, most notably with a double save from Lenihan on 38 minutes, when a goal looked a certainty.
Parnells wanted the water break but just before the whistle, Crokes danger man Lenihan got inside the Parnells defence again and this time he made no mistake. A one point lead was now a 2 point deficit, Parnells 0-11 Crokes 1-10.
Yet again, Parnells responded with another free from Doherty and a third point from Brick. Reen stepped forward again and restored the 1 point lead after 21 minutes. Just when Parnells were looking like they would regain the initiative, the Dr. Crokes man of the match, centrefielder Jack Lenihan again breached the Parnells defence with Crokes’ second goal.
With time running out, Parnells needed a goal of their own, but in truth, they never looked like scoring one. Instead, Crokes were able to close out the game, packing the defence and scoring on the break with full forward Lenihan adding the final 5 points bringing his personal tally to 1-9.
It was a disappointing end for Parnells who had fought valiantly for 50 minutes, but the experience and sharpness of the Dr Crokes players told in the end as they lifted the cup they last lifted in 2001. Final Score: Tralee Parnells 0-14 Dr Crokes 2-15
Team: Mark Ryall, Diarmuid Brennan (c), Tim Kelliher, Enda O’Connor, Ruairí O’Sullivan, Luke Barrett (0-1), Ciarán Breen, Cathal Dunne, Tadhg Brick (0-3), Gearóid O’Doherty (0-6, 0-3 f 0-1 ‘65’), Darragh Reen (0-3), Cillian O’Riordan (0-1), Andrew Morrissey, Brian Lonergan, Luke Chester
Subs used: Eoghan McKivergan, Niall Fitzmaurice, Paul Daly
U16 Hurling
Tralee Parnells 1-12 St Brendans 4-12
Tralee Parnells U16s who played St Brendans in the U16 Plate Final in Abbeydorney last Saturday
In the U16 Plate Final in Abbeydorney on Saturday, on a glorious day and perfect pitch, Parnells put up a great performance but came up just short against a strong St Brendans side. Despite having the lions share of possession in the first 15 minutes, Parnells were wasteful with possession while the Ardfert boys were far more clinical with what little possession they had.
At the 1st water break, St Brendans led by 4, 0-05 0-01. It was much the same story to half time, with St Brendans getting a scrappy goal just as the whistle blew for the break. HT Parnells 0-4 St Brendan’s 1-11. Parnells had played into a stiff breeze so the game was far from over.
The management team made some substitutions and tactical switches and this immediately paid dividends. Eddie Sheehy was freed up from his full back role and he started to dominate, setting up a number of good attacks which resulted in scores for Parnells.
However just before the final water break St Brendan’s scored a goal against the run of play. The boys didn’t drop the heads and their persistence was rewarded when full-forward Emanuel was brought down for a penalty.
Jack Doyle’s effort was well saved by the St Brendan’s keeper and this lifted the Ardfert boys again. They converted 2 more goal chances but Eddie Sheehy replied with a superb effort of his own.
But it was too little too late. This was a great effort by all the boys who kept improving as the (shortened) year went on. If the team can stick together, they will be a force to be reckoned with at minor level next year. Well done to the team and mentors for a great finish to the year.
U14 Hurling
Tralee Parnells 6-9 Ballyduff 5-14
Tralee Parnells U14s that played Abbeydorney in a challenge match in Caherslee last Saturday
Our under 14s bowed out of the County League last Thursday evening in Caherslee when they lost by 2 points to Ballyduff in the semi-final. This was their 3rd time playing Ballyduff this season and the closest match yet.
The boys put in a monumental performance but just failed to get over the line, despite a brilliant 5 goal return from our returning full forward Emanuel. They matched Ballyduff score for score and in fact let by 2 points at half time.
The boys continued their effort in the 2nd half and were still 2 points ahead at the last water break. However, Ballyduff scored 1-2 to Parnells 0-1 in the last 15 minutes to overturn the deficit. We did have a chance of a goal to snatch it at the death but Eoghan Costello’s shot whistled just wide.
We couldn’t have asked for anything more from anyone. Some of the lads even played through the pain barrier. The improvement of the team from June to September was immense. But for a bounce of a ball or some different refereeing decisions, we could have made the final.
On Saturday evening last in Caherslee, the U14s finished their 2020 campaign with a challenge match against Abbeydorney. This was a chance for all panel members to get game time and to play in different positions and the boys certainly seemed to enjoy themselves. We had notable scoring contributions from Cian Harris (2-2), Donnacha (1-2) and Cian Hennessy getting amongst the goals. Well done to all the boys on a great summer’s hurling.
U16 Camogie
Congrats to our Under 16s who beat Sliabh Luachra in the penultimate round of the County League. Good passing and teamwork led to plenty of scores and scorers. Well done all!
Tralee Parnells U16 Camogie team that defeated Sliabh Luachra last Tuesday
U12 Camogie
Our U12 camogie teams were in semi-final action last Wednesday evening.
Tralee Parnells (Amber) 4-1 AbbeyKilLix 5-0
Tralee Parnells U12 Amber Camogie team that played AbbeyKilLix in Dromakee last Wednesday
A fantastic night of Camogie for the Amber team who were very unlucky not to get the win The Parnells girls played their hearts out, matching the AKL team score for score and inching ahead by a point mid second half, a late goal by the home side unfortunately led to ultimate disappointment for us. However the performance by all the girls was outstanding with clear improvements all over the pitch and very encouraging to see especially since the majority of players are U12 again next year – we have a list of players who were outstanding but must make a special mention to top scorer Evie O Sullivan. We are now scheduled to play Sliabh Luachra in the final of the shield on 4th October.
The Royal Blue team had a cracking match against Killarney but lost out by a single point. However there was plenty to be proud and optimistic about. This was a determined performance, showing great skill and huge improvements. Both teams now progress to the shield finals on Oct 4th.
U10 Camogie
Well done to our U10s who had a great win against Causeway in Caherslee last Friday night. This was another fantastic performance by the girls. Everyone really got stuck in and have progressed so much in such a short season. There were 18 girls who played on Friday and every one of them played their part.
