Two repeats in the semi-finals
County Board PRO Leona Twiss with all the GAA news
A BIG crowd attended both venues last Saturday and Sunday for the quarter-final pairings in Tralee and Killarney respectively.
First up in Tralee were Austin Stacks and Dingle. Despite Austin Stacks’ second half rally, Dingle’s goals from the first half left a large enough gap that Austin Stacks couldn’t close.
At the final whistle, Dingle had booked the first semi final place overcoming Austin Stacks 3-9 to 0-9. One of the highlights of the night was the appearance of Mark O’Connor in the Dingle Jersey who played well considering his long absence from the GAA.
The second game saw Kerins O’Rahillys entering the semi final following their two point win over St Brendans. At half time it looked as though Kerins O’Rahillys had done enough to win but the St Brendans fight back was a joy to watch.
The game entered the closing moments with only the bare minimum separating the sides. However late scores from Cormac Coffey and Karl Mullins got Kerins O’Rahillys over the line and into the semi final draw on a final scoreline of 3-11 to 1-15.
Sunday’s opener had the feel of a local derby and the supporters were certainly behind their respective sides. Perhaps though the game didn’t live up to expectation as Dr Crokes raced into a very commanding lead very early in the game.
Legion started the second half well, but the goal from Brian Looney put the game out of reach and Dr Crokes will prove tough opposition in any future rounds. The game finished 1-20 to 0-9.
The fourth quarter-final saw two much fancied teams face each other in Fitzgerald Stadium. For the first twenty minutes, it was nip and tuck but the two goals before half time put the men from the East in a strong position.
South Kerry were reduced to fourteen men early in the second half and East Kerry continued to dominate.
These young men are certainly on a mission in this year’s championship. The game ended East Kerry 4-12, South Kerry 2-10.
The semi-final draw was made on Sunday evening in Fitzgerald Stadium by Jim Garvey and Dermot Weeshie Lynch. Members of the CCC were also present. The semi-final pairings are Kerins O’Rahillys V Dr Crokes and Dingle V East Kerry.
These games are fixed for Sunday October 14 to be played as a double header at a time and venue to be confirmed.
The other huge game played last weekend was the Senior Football Championship Relegation Play-Off game between Kenmare Shamrocks and An Ghaeltacht. That game was played in Killorglin.
The first half was a close affair with An Ghaeltacht’s two goals in the first ten minutes giving them an impressive lead, but Kenmare kept picking away with the points leaving the score at half time 2-3 to 0-9.
Kenmare had the better second half and finished the game with a five point win, 18 points to 2-7. This result means that An Ghaeltacht will rejoin the West Kerry Board in next year’s championship.
Club Forum
GAA Clubs are set to debate their place and their future in the Association at a major event happening later this year.
More than 300 club delegates from across all 32 counties will be in attendance at the GAA’s National Club Forum at Croke Park on Saturday, December 8. Ten Kerry clubs will be in attendance on the day.
Healthy Club Conference
‘CLUB and Community Development’ are the key themes at the GAA’s Annual Healthy Club Conference in Croke Park on Saturday, October 20.
The Conference will commence at 10am and conclude at 3.30pm. All GAA members are welcome, but particularly those who have taken on the role of Healthy Club officer in their club or sit on the County Health & Wellbeing committees.
All delegates will be provided with a delegate pack and refreshments on the day. Tickets for this event are free and can be booked online.