Defeat for Young Islanders a sign of dwindling times

THE village of Chapeltown (Caol) was a hub of activity on the morning of Sunday, November 13, as a first round South Kerry senior football championship encounter took place between the Valentia Young Islanders and Waterville Frank Caseys

Such an encounter last took place in 2006 at the same venue, with Waterville victorious. Indeed, on that day 10 years ago, they dethroned the Young Islanders as South Kerry champions, the Islanders having defeated Dromid Pearses in 2005. That was the last year in which the Islanders won South Kerry and was also, coincidentally, the club’s centenary year.

These days Valentia Islanders are really struggling to put a team on the field, let alone win a game, and they only had one substitute on the day. Eventually they were defeated on a scoreline of 2-10 to 1-6

TEAM: Brian O’Connor, Senan Lynch, Paul O’Sullivan, David Hussey, Liam Gorge, John Curran, Concubhair Guiney, Brendan O’Sullivan, Jim Lynch (1 pt), Mark Lynch, Paul O’Connor (1pt), Brian Falvey, Ger ‘The Plumber’ O’Shea, Andy Quigley (pointed free), John Shanahan (3 pts, including 2frees). Substitute: John Lynch

The Valentia goal was an own goal, a result of the ball coming back off the post from an Andy Quigley kick and deflecting off a Waterville defender.

The Valentia Young Islanders Executive Committee expresses thanks to the management team of John Daly, John Cooper and Michael Cahill. The committee is especially appreciative of the voluntary efforts of Milltown native Linus Burke who, on a number of occasions, travelled across the miles to give a helping hand to a club in dire straits.

The team was relegated to Division Five, having to cope with the very difficult circumstances of extremely tight numbers, with few numerical options on the sideline

Sincere thanks also goes to all those players who lined out during the year to keep the flame of a club established in 1905 alive. The participation of each and every person was vital.

Lets not leave the flame go out on a proud and very successful tradition in the annals of Kerry and South Kerry football which is the lifeblood and part of the very fabric of who we are.