Tasty looking semi-finals ahead
County Board PRO John O’Leary with all the GAA news
THE quarter-finals of the Garveys Supervalu Senior Football Championship played in contrasting weather conditions last weekend ended with clear-cut verdicts in all of the four games.
With swirling wind and rain being the order of the day on Saturday evening in Austin Stack Park it was little wonder that the standard of football suffered in the conditions. Kerins O’Rahillys gave what was probably the most impressive performance of the weekend when defeating East Kerry and it must be said that the blues were full value for their twelve points win.
The second game on the bill, between West Kerry and Austin Stacks, was played in more favourable conditions and it was also more competitive, although after an early goal by the very impressive Eánna Ó Conchúir, West Kerry were always shaping like winners.
Fielding twelve players from Intermediate finalists An Ghaeltacht, this 1-17 to 0-14 victory was certainly a performance of note from the winners and it sets up a very interesting semi-final against the county and All Ireland champions Dr Crokes.
By Sunday in well attended Fitzgerald Stadium, the weather had improved and so did the standard of football.
The opening game between Dr Crokes and Kenmare District was not as free flowing as the club championship final between the sides a few weeks back and there was a bit of needle evident throughout with one or two players on both sides lucky to survive stiffer sanctions.
Dr Crokes found scores easier to come by throughout as Kenmare found it difficult to come out of defence time and again. Micheál Burns was the stand out player on the Crokes team with four points from play to his credit in the 0-17 to 0-12 win, but the champions will be sweating on the fitness of Kieran O’Leary who limped off early with a leg injury.
The final game of the weekend needed something to liven it up at times such as a Rathmore goal maybe but goal chances were few and far between as the Divisional side, thanks to a four point scoring burst midway through the second half, ran out 0-15 to 0-12 winners.
Semi-finals
THE draw for the semi finals of the Garveys Supervalu Senior Football Championshipwere made in Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday evening by County Board Secretary Peter Twiss and Jim Garvey of Garveys Supervalu.
There are two interesting semi finals with All Ireland champions Dr Crokes potentially putting their two titles on the line when they take on a West Kerry side backboned by a Gaeltacht side who have reached the Intermediate final as well as qualifying for the Division 1 County League final, also against the Killarney side.
Even if they lose to West Kerry, Dr Crokes could still represent Kerry in the Munster Club Championship should South Kerry prevail in the other semi final against Kerins O’Rahillys who are hitting form just at the right time.
They certainly make for two interesting encounters and they are down for decision In Fitzgerald Stadium on Saturday week October 7. Kerins O’Rahillys and South Kerry will get proceedings underway at 3pm followed by county champions Dr Crokes against West Kerry at 4:45pm.
The championship final will be played on Sunday October 22 in Austin Stack Park Tralee at 3pm. The curtain raiser for the final depends on who wins the South Kerry v Kerins O’Rahillys semi-final.
A victory for South Kerry would see Kerins O’Rahillys and Kilcummin involved in the senior football championship relegation final which will be the curtain raiser in that event.
Meanwhile, if O’Rahillys win their semi final then as county finalists their senior status will be secure and Kilcummin will then be automatically relegated to Intermediate status next season.
In that event, the Junior Premier Club Championship final between Dromid Pearses and Firies or Na Gaeil will be the curtain raiser at 1pm.
Credit Union County SFL
DATES, or provisional dates have been confirmed for the remaining games in the Credit Union Senior Football League where vital promotion and relegation issues are still to be decided.
No date has been fixed for the Division 1 final between Dr Crokes and An Ghaeltacht a game that could very well see the county senior football champions play the county Intermediate champions.
Division 1 Relegation Play-off
St Marys v Milltown-Castlemaine - October 21 or 29
Division 3 Relegation Play-off
Gneeveguilla v St Senans – Saturday October 21 in Castleisland @ 4pm
Division 4 Promotion Play-off
Dr Crokes V Skellig Rangers - October 15 or 30
Division 5 Promotion Play-off
Cromane v Rathmore – Provisional date - October 15
The final round 11 game in Division 3 played in Ballymacelligott on Sunday last was effectively the Division 3 final.
Both Ballymac and Na Gaeil had already been promoted to Division 2 but Na Gaeil it is who go up as champions following a decisive 3-17 to 1-9 victory over their neighbours.
Dromid Pearses are the team to be promoted.
District Board Review
third
THERE is an important meeting on this Wednesday evening in Austin Stack Park when the District Board Review Committee under the chairmanship of Eamonn Whelan will meet the District Boards at 8pm.
At least three representatives from each District Board, including the chairman and secretary are asked to attend.