The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Rathmore and Spa to face off
THE second semi final in the O’Donoghue Cup, East Kerry Senior Championship, sponsored by The Aquila Club, Gleneagle Hotel, sees reigning champions Rathmore take on Spa next Saturday at 2pm in Fitzgerald Stadium.
There will be extra-time if necessary. Rathmore, being one of last year’s finalists, had a bye to the quarter final where they proved too strong for Currow. Spa reached the semi-finals with a four-point victory over Scartaglin and a goal was the difference in their quarter final game against last year’s finalists, Killarney Legion.
A man of the match award of a year’s membership of the Aquila Club will be presented after the semi-final. The winner meets Dr Crokes in the final, on Sunday December 4 at 2pm in Fitzgerald Stadium.
U21 CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER FINAL Rathmore 2-8 Killarney Legion 2-7
RATHMORE came out on top of this keenly contested quarter final in the East Kerry Under 21 Championship, in Direen, despite playing the majority of the game a man light.
A red card just ten minutes into the first half, preceded a spell of Legion dominance and Rob Leen’s goal had them 1-4 to 0-2 up as the period drew to a close.
A fortuitous goal by Rathmore goalkeeper Shane Ryan put his side back in contention, his long range free dropping into the Legion net. Score at the break: Killarney Legion 1-5 Rathmore 1-2.
The home side kept Rathmore at arm’s length for much of the second half and with the man advantage it appeared as though they had the edge.
However, Rathmore kept plugging away and Mark Nagle slipped his marker to tuck away a lovely goal and give his side a one-point lead.
Rathmore kicked the next two scores to extend their advantage to three as the clock ticked down and Killarney Legion needed a goal. The home side got their goal, when a ball broke in the box and a defender booted the ball against Legion’s Conor Culloty and into the net.
It looked like extra time was looming, but Rathmore won a free 50 yards out to the right of the posts. The referee made it clear that if the kick dropped short, time was up. Up stepped Rathmore midfielder, Donnacha McCarthy, to fire over a monster score with the outside of his right, ensuring victory for Rathmore.
This result means that Rathmore are away to Dr Crokes in the East Kerry A Championship Semi-final, while Legion have a bye to the B Final, on December 4 against the winners of Gneeveguilla V Firies, the previous Sunday.
Scór n nÓg
WELL done to all the participants from East Kerry clubs, who performed so well and did their families, clubs and East Kerry proud in the County Scór na nÓg Finals last Friday.
The East Kerry Clubs results were as follows: Spa – 1st: Figure Dancing, Set dancing & Quiz and Best Overall Club Trophy. Glenflesk – 1st Ballad Group; 2nd Instrumental Music. Gneeveguilla - 1st Solo Singing (Mark O’ Leary). Firies - 1st Recitation (Cian Sheehan). Kilcummin – 4th Quiz. Congratulations to the winners who progress to the Munster Semi Finals, in Cashel on the 11th December. Go n-éirí and t-adh libh.
Cumann Na mBunscoil
THE county semi-finals of the urban schools took place during the week. Fossa NS played Gaelscoil Mhiceasmainn NS in a fantastic open game of football.
Both sides led at some stage during this hard fought encounter. The teams finished level at full time with Fossa NS edging out a gallant Gaelscoil Mhiceasmainn NS team in a frantic finish to the match.
St Olivers NS team played Ardfert NS in the semi final of the county competition.
The game was played at a high tempo all through with both teams having periods of dominance.
St Olivers NS survived a nervous final few minutes to reach the final with a superb team display.
Best of luck to both schools in the final on Thursday in Austin Stack Park. Knockanes NS play Bulian Siar NS in the three teacher final on Thursday in Austin Stack Park.
This will be a great tussle between two well matched teams. Defending a county title is never easy but the Glenflesk school team have shown great resolve to reach this stage.
Best of luck to the management and players. FIXTURES SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19 O’Donoghue Cup Semi-final Rathmore V Spa in Fitzgerald Stadium at 2pm SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20 East Kerry Minor Championship A Final Dr Crokes V Firies at 2pm C Final Cordal/Scar taglin V Rathmore at 12 noon Extra-time if necessary Neutral Venues TBC