Kerry GAA Online

KERRY GAA SCENE

Our Munster Senior and Junior Football Championship campaigns get under way on this Sunday at Cusack Park , Ennis when our two teams play Clare in the first round of Munster Senior and Junior Football Championships. The Senior game is at 3.30 p.m.

The afternoon's programme will commence at 1.30 p.m. when Clare play Kerry in the Munster Junior Football Championship. In between the two games at 2.45 p.m. the Primary School Selections from Kerry and Clare will take centre stage in what promises to be a very big occasion for the young players from the national schools of the two counties.

It ‘s not so long ago since our last competitive game at Senior level when we beat Galway in the final of the National League at the beginning of the month. Since then the panel have been in intensive training in preparation for the Bank Of Ireland Championship campaign.

Clare always put up a strong challenge when they play Kerry and we can expect the same on Sunday. There are no certainties in the championship and nothing can be taken for granted. Nothing less than a wholehearted performance from each and every player will be required if we are to progress to the Munster Semi-Final.

We wish all the players and the team management the very best of luck in the championship campaign and the dearest wish of everybody who supports the Kerry team is that it will ultimately lead us to winning the All-Ireland Final. But we must take every game as it comes and on Sunday all of our attention and focus will be on winning a place in the Munster Semi-Final where Cork await the winners on June 13 th . Limerick narrowly beat Tipperary in the other first round game played at Páirc Uí Chaoimh last Sunday to qualify for a semi-final meeting against Waterford on June 13 th .

The Kerry Junior Football panel have been in training for some weeks now and Tomás Hannifin and his selectors, Donie O'Leary, Tom Brennan, Ger Savage and Jim Foley have put a very strong panel in place. The Junior Team did very well last year when they got to the All-Ireland Semi-Final where Meath beat them who went on to capture the All-Ireland title.

We urge the Kerry supporters to come early on Sunday and give their support to the Kerry Juniors and to the Kerry Primary Game Team.

TICKETS

Seated Stand tickets for Sunday's Bank OF Ireland Football Championship game at Cusack Park cost €20 and Sideline tickets are €15. They will go on sale to the public on Wednesday at The Pavilion, Austin Stack Park during office hours, 11.30 a.m. to 5.15 p.m.

Admission to the Terrace costs €13 at the turnstiles at Cusack Park on Sunday.

SUPPORTERS CLUB BUS

The Kerry Supporters Club are organising a bus to Ennis for Sunday's Bank Of Ireland Football Championship game between Kerry and Clare.

The departure times on Sunday morning are 9.30 a.m. from the Tralee Road Roundabout, Killarney, 10.00 a.m. from St. Brendan's Church, Tralee and 10.30 a.m. from The Square, Listowel. The bus will travel via Tarbert.

Contact Martin Leane at (068) 48116, John King at (066) 7124229 or Donie O'Leary at (064) 58099 by Thursday evening at the latest for further information.

MUNSTER HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Kerry were defeated by Cork in the first round of the Guinness Munster Senior Hurling Championship at Páirc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday last. Cork built up a very commanding lead in the opening half. We were really up against it then but the players rallied and performed well in the second half.

Kerry will now play the losers of the Ulster Final in the Preliminary All-Ireland Qualifier on June 19 th while Cork will meet Limerick in the Munster Semi-final on Sunday May 30 th at The Gaelic Grounds, Limerick .

At Semple Stadium, Thurles last Sunday Waterford defeated Clare in the first round of the Guinness Munster Senior Hurling Championship and they will now meet Tipperary in the semi-final on Sunday June 6 th at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

CLUB CHAMPIOONSHIPS

Some games in the Castleisland Co-Op Mart Club Championships will be played on this Saturday at with games commencing at 7.15 p.m. Extra time will be played if necessary.

In the Junior Club Championship Ballyduff are at home to Ballylongford and in the Novice Shield Ballyheigue are at home to Gale Rangers.

There is also a back game in the Credit Union County Senior Football League between Cordal and Brosna at 7.30 p.m. also on Saturday.

The home team is responsible for phoning in the result immediately after the game finishes.

The quarterfinals of the Club Championships will be played on the weekend of June 27 th .

MINOR COUNTY LEAGUE FINALS

Glenbeigh/Glencar and An Ghaeltacht won the Division 3 and Division 4 Finals of the PK'S County Minor Football League, which were played last Sunday evening as a double bill at Austin Stack Park , Tralee .

Glenbeigh/Glencar defeated Castlegregory/Annascaul in the Division 3 decider and An Ghaeltacht beat Moyvane in the Division 4 Final.

In the Division 2 Final, Dingle narrowly defeated Waterville/Dromid in the final, which was played on Monday night at Killorglin.

Renard easily defeated Kenmare in the Division 5 Final played at Sneem last Monday

Kerins O'Rahillys defeated Kilcummin and Dr. Crokes defeated Churchill in the Division 1 semi-finals played last Friday. The final is arranged for Austin Stack Park , Tralee on this Saturday May 22 nd at 7.30 p.m.

In PK's County Minor Hurling League Kilmoyley easily defeated Kenmare/Kilgarvan in the Division 2 Final last Friday at Fitzgerald Stadium and the Division 1 final Crotta/Abbeydorney and Ballyheigue which was to have taken place last Sunday was postponed due to an Under 16 challenge game in Cork on the same day.

Every effort was made this year to finish the minor leagues well in advance of the School Examinations to facilitate Leaving and Junior Certificate students with their studies.

DIVISION 1 COUNTY HURLING LEAGUE

Round 3 of the Credit Union County Senior Hurling League will be played on this Saturday with all games commencing at 8.00 p.m. Kilmoyley are at home Abbeydorney, Lixnaw host Crotta O'Neills and St. Brendan's have a home game against Ballyheigue. The home team is responsible for phoning in the result immediately after the game finishes.

Kenmare/ Kilgarvan have withdrawn from the County League .

DIVISION 2 COUNTY HURLING LEAGUE

The Round 4 games of Division 2 of the Credit Union County Hurling League will be played on this Wednesday May 19 th with all games commencing at 8.00 p.m. The home team is responsible for phoning in the result immediately after the game finishes.

COUNTY JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUES

Round 3 of the Credit Union County Junior Football Leagues games will go ahead on this Friday May 21 st at 8.00 p.m. The home team is responsible for phoning in the result immediately after the game finishes. Quite a number of results were not returned last week. Let's hope for a much-improved return this week.

SCÓR COUNTY CONVENTION

The Annual Convention of Coiste Scór will be held on this Thursday May 20 th at The Pavilion, Austin Stack Park , Tralee commencing at 8.00 p.m. This year was another very successful year for our Scór competitors at Munster and All-Ireland levels culminating in the magnificent double victories for the Spa Club, Killarney winning All-Ireland Senior Scór titles in Figure Dancing and Set Dancing. Scór Na bPáistí, for National Schools was very successfully organised for the first time in the county.

FOOTBALL COACHING ACADEMY

The Football Coaching Academy will be held at Rathmore, Cahersiveen, Listowel and Killorglin form June 7 th to 11 th and at Killarney, Tralee , Lispole and Castleisland from June 14 th to 18 th .

This is an intensive five-day coaching programme aimed at First Year and Second Year post primary students. There is a need to progress the development of our 13 to 15 year old players from the traditional Summer Camp to a more intensive skills-focused environment.

The cost is €50 for each participant and application forms have been distributed at the schools and are also available at The Pavilion, Austin Stack Park , Tralee .

The coaching instruction will be by fully qualified coaches under the direction of our Games Promotion Officer and current Senior Kerry players will attend and coach participants in the skills of the game. They will also give advice on what it takes to become a Kerry Football Star.

SUMMER CAMPS

Brochures and Entry Forms for this year's Garvey's Super Valu Kerry GAA Summer Camps in Football, Hurling and Handball are now available at The Pavilion, Austin Stack Park , Tralee and at schools visited by Games Promotion Officers, Donal Daly, Maurice Leahy and William Harmon or from club secretaries and Garvey's outlets.

The Football Summer Camps will commence on July 5 th at Austin Stack Park , Tralee, Listowel and Waterville and the Hurling Camps will also commence on the same day for Causeway and Kenmare. The camps will be held at various other venues throughout the county during July and August including Killarney (Fitzgerald Stadium), Ballybunion, Castleisland, Rathmore, Lispole, Sneem, Castlegregory, Killorglin, Knocknagoshel, Portmagee, Causeway, Cahersiveen, Kenmare and Farranfore, Gallarus, Milltown and Tarbert for Football, Abbeydorney, Lispole, Ballyheigue, Ardfert, Rathmore, Killarney and Tralee for Hurling. Handball Camps will be held at Ballymacelligott, Brandon and An Ghaeltacht

The age group catered for is from 7 to 14 year olds and the cost per person for the football hurling and handball camps is €40, €30 for the second member of the same family and €25 for each additional member of the same family.

The Garvey's Super Valu Summer Camps are a very important and vital element of the GAA's activities in the county each year. It is very important to introduce the young boys and girls who attend the coaching sessions to the skills of football and hurling in an atmosphere of fun and enjoyment where they will be coached by fully qualified coaches.

The activities will include mini-leagues, skill competitions, scoring competitions and fun games. A series of lectures on the proper mental and physical preparation needed for all future stars will also take place each day of the camp.

The activities will take place in an atmosphere of strict supervision and the very best of conduct will be expected. Children will not be allowed to leave the grounds while the coaching sessions are in progress. The participants will be in groups of 20 or less according to age and ability. A team of qualified and experienced coaches will conduct the coaching.

KNOCKNAGOSHEL FIELD OFFICIAL OPENING

A Senior Football Challenge game between Kerry and Roscommon will mark the official opening of the new pitch at Knocknagoshel on Saturday May 29 th at 7.00 p.m.

The development of the new pitch and grounds was completed three years ago and there is also a new gymnasium as part of the completed development. The gym is very well equipped with the most up to date equipment such as bikes, steppers, rowing machines, sit up machines for shoulder and upper body, knee extension machine, seated pulley, hamstring extension machine, bench press and dead lift weights machine. There is also a TV and Video which can either be used to show demonstration videos or as background to the activity. This is a great facility for the club and the Knocknagoshel community and it demonstrates the forward looking and progressive thinking that has brought this development to fruition. As well as the new gym and dressing rooms the building also has a fully fitted kitchen as well as ladies and gents shower rooms, which are beautifully tiled. There is also a referee's room with shower and a toilet for the disabled.

HELEN DOWLING MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT

On Saturday July 17 th at its club grounds in Connolly Park , Tralee the Austin Stacks Hurling and Football Club will host the inaugural Helen Dowling Memorial Ladies Football Tournament, for the Helen Dowling Memorial Cup. This tournament will be staged annually to honour the memory of the late Helen Dowling, who was one of the founders of Ladies football in the Stacks club. The trophy has been kindly sponsored by The Dowling family, and was presented to the Stacks club on the night of the launch.

The launch of the tournament took place at the Austin Stacks club on Saturday May 15 th , with members of the Dowling family, The Kerry Ladies County Board and representatives of the Austin Stacks club among a sizeable attendance.

Speakers on the night were Johnny Dowling on behalf of the Dowling family, Austin Stacks chairman, Denny Long, Chairman of the Kerry Ladies County Board, John O'Connor, President of the Kerry Ladies County Board, Mick Fitzgerald and Tournament Organiser, Noreen Power. All spoke of the impact Helen Dowling had, and continues to have, on Ladies Football up and down the Country, and how this tournament is a fitting and lasting tribute to her memory.

The format of this Inter-County tournament will be 2 groups of 4 teams, with the top 2 sides from each section qualifying for cross group semi-finals. Matches, which will be 30 minutes in duration, will begin at 10am, with the final fixed for 6.45.

Presentation of medals will take place in the clubhouse afterwards.

EXAMS

Best wishes to all players doing Third Level examinations at present and also to all second level players who will be sitting the Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate examinations in a few weeks time.

It is a difficult time for them and we sincerely hope they will be successful. They have given great service to the Association this year in both club and colleges competitions in football and hurling. In relation to county players, the demand on their time is even greater and we appreciate all their efforts and their dedication. At times when they play and train it is at a great personal sacrifice and it would be remiss not to acknowledge this at this important time for them.

COUNTY LEAGUE REPORT

Round 4 in Divisions 1 to 4 and Round 5 in Division 5 of the Credit Union County Senior Football League was played last weekend.

Austin Stacks, Dr. Crokes and Laune Rangers shared the top of the table spot in Division 1 after the Round 3 games and in Round 4 Austin Stacks were at home to St. Mary's in a re run of last year's league final, and there was also the top of the table game with Dr. Crokes at home to Laune Rangers. Both Stacks and Dr. Crokes won and Laune Rangers have slipped back to fourth place as a result of their defeat. In the other games An Ghaeltacht defeated Dromid Pearses, Dingle defeated Castleisland Desmonds Kilcummin lost at home to Kerins O'Rahillys. Sneem are now bottom of the table after their home defeat to Annascaul.

In Division 2 the race for promotion is very much to the forefront with teams like Rathmore, Milltown/Castlemaine, Waterville and St. Michael's/Foilmore all eager for top flight competition next year. After this round Rathmore, Milltown/Castlemaine and Waterville share the top spot. Milltown/Castlemaine lost away to Rathmore and this was the third meeting of these two teams in as many weeks. Milltown had so far beaten Rathmore twice, club championship and AIB County Championship but it was third time lucky for Rathmore on this occasion. Joint leaders Waterville lost ground when they were beaten in an away by Legion in this round. In the other big games in this round Currow lost at home to Gneeveguilla and Beaufort defeated Ballymacelligott. Listowel Emmets were upbeat after their County Championship victory over Kilcummin the previous week when they defeated Spa in this round and John Mitchels drew with St. Michael's/Foilmore.

In Division 3 Glenflesk must be among the favourites in the promotion race and they had very convincing victories over Kenmare and Skellig Rangers in the two opening rounds and drew with Keel in the third round and defeated Tarbert in this round. to remain top of the table. There are a number of teams hot on the heels of Glenflesk, namely, Lispole, Skellig Rangers, Castlegregory, St. Pat's and Finuge. Skellig Rangers beat Finuge and Lispole lost away to Keel, St. Pat's had a good away win when they travelled to Valentia. Castlegregory lost at home to Kenmare. So after this round it is Glenflesk still on top followed closely by St. Pat's and Skellig Rangers.

Tousist, Cromane and Laune Rangers B are the league leaders in Division 4. Tuosist drew at home with Moyvane and Laune Rangers B beat Scartaglin. The game between Cromane and St. Senan's was postponed.

In Division 5 Renard are still top of the table after five rounds in this division while Na Gaeil and Listry closely follow them. In this round Renard defeated Knocknagoshel, Na Gaeil had a comfortable win over Derrynane and Ballyduff lost away to Dr. Crokes B. Listry got their promotion hopes back on track with a victory over Asdee while Fossa lost ground when Glenbeigh/Glencar beat them.

The next round of the league will be played on the June Bank Holiday weekend.