Clubs enjoy great weekend at Féile finals

Jimmy D’Arcy

AFTER a great weekend of games, Kerry Coiste na nOg would like to congratulate our three teams on representing us so brilliantly at Féile na nÓg 2018.

Ballyduff

BALLYDUFF opened their campaign in Division 2 Group C with a convincing 1-10 to 0-7 win over Michael Cusacks.

They went down by a single point, 0-6 to 0-5, to Kilcormac Killoughey in their second game, but a 2-6 to 0-8 win over Ardrahan in their last group game put them into a cup final.

This was another thriller from start to finish, with Ballyduff edging out a great win over Ratoath by 2-5 to 1-5. Naas proved too strong in the Cup semi-final, winning by 5-6 to 2-3, but Ballyduff and Kerry hurling can take huge pride in reaching a Division 2 Cup semi-final.

Lixnaw

IN Divison 5 Group B, Lixnaw were in the thick of the action straight away, a fantastic battle with Kilconeirin finishing all square at Lixnaw 3-4 Kilconeirin 2-7.

Their second game wasn’t any easier in a finely balanced division, eking out a win over Ballinkillen on a 3-4 to 2-4 scoreline. They lost out to a very strong Ballinderreen in their third game, but that was enough to see them into a Shield quarter-final.

Another close game with some great hurling on both sides, but Lixnaw managed to come out on top against Broadford by 3-4 to 1-8. They faced Southern Gaels in the semi-final and again pulled out all the stops to win by 4-8 to 3-4 to reach a national final, but Clann na Gael edged that by 0-9 to 1-2.

South Kerry

SOUTH Kerry had a storming victory in their opening game in Division 9, sweeping aside Oran on a 5-10 to 0-7 scoreline.

They lost out to North Wicklow Gaels by 0-8 to 1-2, leaving the group to be decided on game three, where a fabulous 3-2 to 1-6 win over wonderful hosts Claremorris put them into a Cup quarter-final.

Carrick were a good hurling side, but had to answer to a Kerry whirlwind, as South Kerry won out by 1-7 to 0-2 to reach a semi-final. Longford Slashers proved too strong, winning out by 2-9 to 1-2 and going on to win the Cup, but South Kerry more than proved that they can compete with anybody at this level.

Camogie

KERRY Camogie are very proud of our four clubs who took part in Féile over the weekend. Cillard travelled to the Regional Féile in Naas and played their hearts out against two strongholds of the game, Loughgiel of Antrim and Portaferry of Down, going down narrowly to both.

Tralee Parnells reached the Division 7 Shield semi-final going down to Omagh on a scoreline of 2-2 to 1-1. Killarney faced Crosserlough in the Division 5 Shield quarter-final. Despite a spirited display by Cailíní Chill Airne, the Cavan girls proved that little bit stronger and took the spoils.

In the Division 5 Cup Final, Causeway faced Na Brídeoga of Mayo who had knocked them out of the competition at the quarter-final stage in 2017. However, this time the Kerry girls proved too strong and lifted the title on a scoreline of 1-5 to 0-0.

The performances of our camogie teams coupled with the displays of our young hurlers showcased the depth of talent that exists in Kerry.

Again well done to all and we hope that all the players, mentors, families and supporters have had a weekend that will provide them with life-long memories.