Crokes to take on Dingle in the final
County Board PRO Leona Twiss with all the GAA news
FOLLOWING on from last week’s replay, the pairings for the County Final are now confirmed. On Sunday at 3pm in Austin Stacks Park, Dr Crokes face Dingle in the 2018 Garveys Senior Football Championship County Final. If the game finishes level after normal time, it will go to a replay.
Both Clubs have had an impressive record so far in this year’s championship. I expect a close, tense and entertaining game. Large crowds are expected to the venue next Sunday so advance ticket purchase is highly recommended.
General Admission is €20. Tickets are now available to purchase from Centra and SuperValu stores around the County, Kerry County Board Office and Kerry GAA Store in Killarney Outlet Centre. Students and Senior Citizens who pre-purchase an Adult Ticket will get a refund of €5 on the day from the designated stile with Valid ID. Admission for U-16s is free. Tickets will also be available to purchase from the ticket van on Sunday.
There will be a unique curtain raiser as the CCC has scheduled a match between Kerry Green and Kerry Gold.
The aim is to showcase the great work that goes into the Development Squads and it is a fantastic initiative to have this game involving the 2018 U-16s Development Squads as the curtain raiser on County Final day.
As is tradition, Kerry Coiste na nÓg are producing the match programme for the County Final. From what I have seen so far it is a very impressive publication, certainly something that you will sit down and read in the days after the final. The programme will be on sale in various parts of the grounds. This is the main fundraiser for Coiste na nÓg and they need the funds to continue their amazing work with underage football and hurling in this county.
It is also a very important day for the people of Killorglin as Laune rangers are the team that will be honoured at half time having won the County Final in 1993 beating Annascaul 1-15 to 1-8.
Our thanks to Garvey’s SuperValu for their sponsorship of the football and hurling championships.
Munster Fixtures
IT’S only a few weeks until the Kerry Clubs are back in Munster action. In the Senior Club Championship either Dingle or Dr Crokes will travel to Tipperary on November 4 where the opposition will either be Moyle Rovers or Ardfinnan.
On November 3, Kilcummin travel to Clare to play Kilrush in the Intermediate Quarter-final and on November 10 at a Tipperary venue, Beaufort will play Ballylooby-Castlegrace or Mullinahone in the Junior Quarter-final.
Christmas at Currans
SANTA will visit the Currans Centre of Excellence during the month of December. Bookings are open and you can check out the Kerry GAA website for further information. This is a great opportunity to see Santa and see the Currans Centre of Excellence all in one go!
Referee Recruitment
PAT Sheehy of the Referee’s Committee has launched a recruitment drive for new referees in this county. There are limited numbers of referees available in Kerry but this is also the case in all other counties.
The number one goal listed in the GAA’s recently published ‘Referee Development Plan 20182021’ is increased recruitment and retention of referees.
Retention is just as important as recruitment because the effort required to enlist new referees is somewhat in vain if they’re not in it for the long haul. The reality of refereeing is that it can be a steep learning curve so unfortunately the drop-out rates can be high in the first year.
The GAA’s National Match Officials Manager, Patrick Doherty, hopes the introduction of a new mentoring programme as well as an even greater emphasis on referee training and education will give new referees the support they need to stay the course. If you are interested in becoming a referee, please make contact with Pat Sheehy or Mark Griffin for the details on the mentoring programme.