A hectic weekend lies ahead

LAST weekend saw a hectic weekend of Castleisland Mart Club Championship games and the coming Bank Holiday weekend has another host of major games. Kenmare, who were many people’s favourites to be involved in a relegation play-off situation, probably caused the biggest surprise of the weekend when going to Strand Road and defeating Kerins O’Rahillys in their own home patch by the minimum margin. Dr Crokes put another Tralee side, Austin Stacks to the sword after a low scoring encounter at Lewis Road, and Legion and Dingle must replay their first round game after extra-time could not separate the sides in Direen where James O’Donoghue made a welcome return to action for the home side. The draw for the Castleisland Mart Senior Club Championship semi-finals was made at Monday’s County Committee meeting: Kenmare Shamrocks play the winners of the Dingle v Legion replay on Sunday, May 7 at 2:30pm at a venue to be confirmed. Winners of the Kilcummin v Rathmore Round 1 game play Dr Crokes on Sunday next in Fitzgerald Stadium at 2:30pm. Dingle and Legion will replay their Round 1 game on Sunday next in Dingle at 2:30pm. The Rathmore v Kilcummin Round 1 game goes ahead by agreement on this Wednesday in Rathbeg at 7pm. There was just one game in the Intermediate Championship last weekend where Laune Rangers followed up their impressive win over Milltown-Castlemaine in the opening Round by travelling to Glenflesk and defeating the home side by three points. There are three very interesting games down for decision in the Intermediate championship this weekend when the two last All Ireland Junior Club champions, Templenoe and Glenbeigh-Glencar meet in Templenoe on Saturday and on Sunday two no less attractive ties see Castleisland Desmonds travel to Cahersiveen to take on former All- Ireland Intermediate champions St Marys and in Gallarus, An Ghaeltacht have Ardfert, a side who know a thing or two about winning Club Championships, as visitors. Certainly it appears that whoever joins Laune Rangers in the semi finals over the weekend will have earned their place. There is no doubting the big result of the Junior Premier Championship last weekend and that was Skelligs Rangers’ three points victory over Listowel Emmets – a side two divisions above them in the County League – at Portmagee. Of course the South Kerry side also defeated Division 2 side St Pats in the previous round. Fossa’s good run in Club Championship action over the last year or so came to an end in Dromid where the home side survived a brave comeback by the visitors who were nine points adrift at the break, to edge into the semi finals by a point. In the third game of the weekend, Firies finished the stronger in Farranfore kicking eight unanswered points to go safely through after a high scoring encounter with Keel. This weekend there is a very interesting game in Killeen where Na Gaeil play host to Churchill and both of these claimed major scalps in the opening round when Na Gaeil defeated Beaufort and Churchill surprised competition favourites Ballydonoghue. In the Junior Club Championship, Division 2 side Listry had a narrow victory over Tarbert a club with a championship pedigree two divisions below them in the League. Elsewhere, Lispole have brought their good League form into the Championship with and eleven points victory over Cordal in Lispole. This weekend sees Castlegregory with home venue against Duagh on Sunday and on Bank Holiday Monday Ballyduff have to make the long trip to Tuosist to take on the locals in the last of the quarter final ties. There was just one game in the Novice Championship last weekend with Sneem-Derrynane recording a good win over Valentia. This weekend sees two Preliminary Round games and a Round 1 game down for decision. On Saturday Clounmacon play Cromane and Beale play Ballylongford while on Sunday Knocknagoshel have Scartaglin as visitors in a Round 1 game. The draws for the semi-finals of the Intermediate, Premier Junior, Junior and Novice Club Championships will be made once all the semi finalists are known and the semi finals are unlikely to be played until early Autumn.