Feast of football with County SFC quarter-finals down for decision

FOOTBALL followers in the county are in for a treat this weekend when the quarter-finals of the Garveys SuperValu senior football championship are down for decision with two double bill in Tralee and Killarney.

First up on Saturday in Tralee’s Austin Stack Park, is the meeting of Dr Crokes and Kerins O’Rahillys at 1:30pm followed by the meeting of reigning champions South Kerry and Dingle at 3:15pm.

Dr Crokes had it all too easy in Round 1 when easily accounting for West Kerry but they got a right scare from St Kierans in their Round 2 game before surviving by the minimum margin in Cordal. Their opponents, Kerins O’Rahillys, gave South Kerry a right run for their money in Round 1 before going down by a point and then had six points to spare against Feale Rangers in Round 2. With an abundance of good forwards on view, this promises to be a high scoring encounter with both sides determined to make up for their exits at the quarter-final stage last season.

South Kerry put their county title on the line when they take on Dingle in the second game on the bill. The champions have been living dangerously in both their outings to date, being held to a point winning margin by Kerins O’Rahillys in their opening game and they were then taken to a replay by Austin Stacks in Round 2, though they did win that second encounter by eight points. Dingle had a good victory over Rathmore in Round 1 but contrived to lose to Mid Kerry in Round 2 after extra time having been well in control when leading by eleven points at one stage.

The westerners had five points to spare over Milltown in Round 3. The possible absence of Mark O’Connor from the Dingle side may have a big bearing on the result of this game.

On Sunday, the focus switches to Fitzgerald Stadium where the opening game at 2pm pits Mid Kerry against Rathmore. Mid Kerry were far from impressive when accounting for Kilcummin in Round 1 by five points and as we have seen already, were lucky to survive against Dingle after extra time in Round 2 in Killorglin.

Rathmore, for their part, recovered from that opening loss on home soil to Dingle to defeat St Brendans by four points and then had a fine victory over a fancied St Kierans side after extra time in Round 3. The border boys will certainly put it up to the divisional outfit on Sunday.

The final quarter-final will see Kenmare District take on Austin Stacks at 3:30. The Divisional outfit had rather comfortable victories over St Brendans and later Legion in their two games to date.

Stacks easily accounted for East Kerry in their opening game and then very nearly took South Kerry’s scalp In Cahersiveen in Round 2 before going down rather tamely in the replay when on home soil. They had a good victory over West Kerry in Round 3 and will come into this fixture full of confidence following their recent victory over Dr Crokes in the Club Championship final. It will be interesting to see how Kenmare District gel ahead of the upcoming clash of Kenmare and Templenoe in the Intermediate championship final.

All-together, there is an abundance of up and coming footballing talent on view and certainly Eamonn Fitzmaurice and his selectors will be out in force over the weekend to run the rule over some of those aspiring to wear the green and gold in Croke Park at senior level. Extra time, should it be required, applies in all games.

Minor squad to be presented in Fitzgerald Stadium

The All Ireland winning Kerry Minor team and management will be presented to the crowd between the county championship quarter-final matches around 3:20 in Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday.

County SFC Relegation Final

Kilcummin and Milltown-Castlemaine put their County Senior Championship status on the line on Saturday when they clash in the relegation play-off final in Castleisland at 2pm (note earlier time). Kilcummin have a very long record at senior level (since 1998) while Milltown-Castlemaine have been senior since 2012.