The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
A final that promises to crackle
ALL roads lead to Killarney’s Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday next when Dr Crokes and Kenmare District contest the Garvey’s Supervalu Senior County Football Championship Final.
It’s a unique pairing in many ways. Dr Crokes, having contested five finals on the trot between 2009 and 2013, winning four in-a-row, will feel that is something of an eternity since they last contested a final while on the other hand, the district side are appearing in their first county final since 1987.
Indeed, if we have even half the drama of twenty seven years ago, then we are in for a treat. On that occasion the final went to a replay and extra-time that had a dramatic ending when Eugene McCarthy blasted the ball to the Dr Crokes net to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Sunday’s encounter promises to be an intriguing battle and when you throw in the fact that the captaincy of the Kerry team is at stake, then it surely adds up to a game that should not be missed.
A Dr Crokes victory would see them represent Kerry in the Munster Club Championship against Cratloe or Kilmurray/Ibrickane of Clare on the weekend of October 30, while a win for the Divisional side would see Austin Stacks go forward as winners of the Senior Club Championship.
Junior Final
THE Castleisland Mart Junior Football Championship final will be decided on Saturday at Tralee’s Austin Stack Park where first time county finalists Fossa will play Bealeat4pm.
These two side have had contrasting fortunes in the Senior Football League this year with Fossa riding high at the top of Division 3 under new manager John Evans while Beale have been going in the opposite direction being relegated from Division 3. That form is hardly going to make a big difference in a championship final that both sides have reached on merit.
Both teams were in the Novice grade last season and went down to opposition a grade higher than them in the Junior Qualifiers with Fossa losing to Dromid Pearses and Beale going down to Churchill. Both sides recovered well, Fossa defeating West Kerry opposition in Lispole and Castlegregory before accounting for old rivals Scartaglen in the semi final. Beale defeated Cromane and neighbours Asdee and then surprised Division 2 side Listry in the semi final.
With the Con Brosnan Cup up for grabs by the winners this encounter could get the weekend off to a great start. Throw-in is at 4pm and referee is Jer Lynch of Ballymac.
Novice Championship
THERE is one remaining semi final to be played in the Novice Championship where Ballyduff play Tuosist on Saturday October 22 (note change of date). The winners play Lispole in the final on Sunday November 7.
Intermediate Finals
THE Intermediate Championship Final between neighbours Kenmare and Templenoe will go ahead on Sunday October 23 in Killarney’s Fitzgerald Stadium at 3:30 with extra time applying. The winners of this game will be in Munster Club action on the following Sunday away to the Tipperary champions.
The curtain raiser to the Intermediate final is the Keanes Supervalu Killorglin Minor Championship final between Mid Kerry and East Kerry at 2pm.
County SFL
THE playoffs to decide final promotion and relegation places are ongoing.
The replay of the Division 3 relegation playoff between Ballydonoghue and Keel will be played on Saturday October 15 (4pm) in Strand Rd with the losers dropping to Division 4 along with Tarbert and Beale.
The Division 4 playoff to decide the champions of that division will see the top two, Fossa and Na Gaeil playoff on Sunday October 30th at 2:30 at a venue to be decided.
Meanwhile, the final promotion place in Division 5 will not now be decided until Saturday October 29 when Sneem/Derrynane play Tuosist.