KABB SCENE
Murt Murphy MEN DIVISION 2
Killarney Cougars 71 Cahersiveen 60
THE Cougars continued their good home form with a hard earned win over Cahersiveen. The game saw little between the sides throughout with Cougars making the better start to lead 20-11 at the end of the first quarter with Darren Gaffey and Tomas Armonas impressing for Cougars.
Cahersiveen were back in contention trailing 34-33 at half-time thanks to good baskets by Jim Lynch, Connie O’Connor and Pranas Bernotas as they dominated the second quarter.
Cahersiveen hit the front in a good start to the third quarter and led by five points, but a great spell by the Cougars by Alan Flynn as he hit 11 points in three minutes to restore the Cougars advantage to lead 54-45 at the end of the quarter.
An exciting final quarter saw Cougars pushed all the way but they held on for a deserved win in a very good contest.
U- 18 BOYS DIVISION 2
Gneeveguilla 44 St Annes 43
AFTER Gneeveguilla led by 15 points early in the third quarter, led by Evan Cronin (17 points) and Cathal McCarthy (13 points), St Annes came all the way back to lead by one with seconds left.
They were led by Gearoid Murphy (15 points) and John Rourke (10 points). It was McCarthy who scored the buzzer-beater after a dramatic steal and Gneeveguilla won 44-43.
U-16 BOYS DIVISION 2
St Annes 49 Cahersiveen 36
A SUPERB contest took place in Farranfore on Sunday afternoon last when Cahersiveen made the long trek to St Annes for this league clash.
The visitors started off strongly to take a five point first quarter lead of 13-18, (including four three pointers) with Will Galvin and Austin Murphy scoring five each for the south Kerry boys. The second low scoring quarter saw both defences dominate with Cahersiveen winning this quarter by three points to give them an eight point half-time lead of 16-24.
The half-time break saw the home team regroup and turn up the heat with their man to man defence, and with the game’s top scorer, Jason Brennan accounting for nine of their 17 points in this quarter; they took a slender onepoint lead into the final quarter.
The home team pushed ahead in the closing stages with five of their team registering scores in this final quarter to take the quarter by 16 to four, and run out eventual winners with 49 to 36.
U-14 BOYS DIVISION 1
Killarney Cougars 30 St Brendans 33
ANOTHER great Killarney v Tralee contest saw this game go to the wire as unbeaten league leaders St Brendans were pushed all the way by the Cougars in a tense contest at the Pres Gym.
There was little between the sides all through but Cougars made the better start but trailed despite a good first quarter 11-9 and despite the sides being tied through the second half the Cougars never hit the front as Tralee edged ahead at the right time in this important game.
St Brendans had good performances from Jack Sheehy, Coram Hughes with Cougars having good performances from Dean Sheehan, Jack O’Neill and Patrick Lyons.
U-14 BOYS DIVISION 3
St Marys 42 Kenmare Kestrels 20
KENMARE got off to a great start in this game. They made some great steals and although it took some time for them to find their target they eventually did, Darragh O’Sullivan netting the first score of the game. For the home team it was Patrick O’Shea who was the sole scorer hitting six points for the quarter.
Kenmare held a four point lead going into the second quarter, but St Marys defended brilliantly and held their opponents scoreless, with Brian O’Leary and Thomas Conway went on a scoring spree and by half-time the home team had turned it around and led 18 points to 10.
O’Leary continued to dominate for St Marys in the third quarter; contributions came also from Jer Brosnan, O’Shea and Jack Griffin who also made some great rebounds.
Eoghan McCarthy registered a score for Kenmare who continued to fight hard for possession both sides made some smart passes and displayed great ball control. Kenmare had a strong final quarter but St. Marys been the stronger side and took the win.
U-14 GIRLS DIVISION 1
Gneeveguilla 49 Rathmore 28
GNEEVEGUILLA’S strong defence saw them take a 35-7 halftime lead. Rathmore launched a comeback in the third quarter, led by Miriam Dineen (12 points) and Cathy Kiely (5 points).
Gneeveguilla, led by Tara O’Leary (11 points) and Delia Foley (9 points) kept ahead and won 49-28.
SENIOR CUP DRAWS
THE draws for the various senior cup competitions took place at last week’s Kerry Area Board meeting.
Senior Mens Cup Division 1
Holders St Brendans travel to winners of Gneeveguilla v Tralee Imperials in the first semi-final
KCYMS go to the winner of St Pauls v St Marys in the second semi-final
Senior Women’s Division 1
Holders St Marys travel to winners of Glenbeigh Falcons v Tralee Imperials in the Semi-finals.
Killarney Cougars host St Josephs in Killarney in the other semi-final.
Mens Intermediate Cup Division 2 First Round
Tralee Tigers v KCYMS Killarney Cougars v St Josephs Cahersiveen v St Annes
Senior Women’s Intermediate Cup Division 2 First Round
St Annes v Killarney Cougars St Marys v KCYMS
St Bridget’s v Kenmare Kestrels Tk Lixnaw v Gneeveguilla Tralee Imperials v St Brendans Tralee Tigers v Ballybunion Wildcats KERRY runners look ahead to the popular Duhallow Athletic Club 5km Classic promises a record number of entries for the Newmarket showpiece on Sunday at 1pm.
Members of the Irish team that competed in last weekend’s European cross country championships in Slovakia including Michelle Finn (Leevale) are likely to return in a bid to repeat terrific past successes at the popular Duhallow staging.
Traditionally one of the top races in the end of year calendar, organisers are hopeful of the staging retaining its popular attraction for participants from across North Cork and beyond. And the winner of the 2017 will avail of the Jer Murphy Perpetual Cup.
Amongst the winners over recent years were Ed Murphy (Gneeveguilla), Alan O’Shea (Bantry), David McCarthy (West Waterford), Colm Sheahan and Mark Hanrahan (Leevale) with Canadian born Ben Thistlewood representing Leevale is the defending holder after bettering Mike Carmody (An Brú), Tim O’Connor (Riocht) and Michael Herlihy (North Cork) in 2016.
Likewise, a top class entry is expected for the ladies field in the aftermath of cracking outcomes over the years that included wins for USA based Michelle Scott Murphy from Carrig Na bhFear, former world cross country team medallist Valerie Vaughan from Blarney / Inniscarra, versatile Olympian and former national senior cross country champion Rosemary Ryan (Bilboa), Mary Sweeney (St Finbarrs), Orla Drumn (UCC), Finn and Laura Crowe (Riocht).
Race headquarters is at Hourigan’s, High Street, a short distance from the race start near Safari’s on the Kanturk road that takes the field through the town centre, out the Rockchapel road and a return to finish at the Sarah Curran Memorial Statue close to the town centre.
Included on the programme are category prizes in senior, vets, junior and Under 16 age categories with five team prizes on offer. For those interested in a non competitive aspect, a fun walk operates from 12 noon.
Senior race organisers are Donie Shine (086-8149970), Ger Murphy (029-60719) and Jerry Twomey (086-8050821).