The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
ANOTHER HUGELY SUCCESSFUL BLITZ
ST MARY’S Basketball Club’s 47th annual Christmas Blitz came to a close on Friday night. It was a huge success with 157 games played. All the games met their time obligations even though several went to overtime on finals day.
The crowds exceeded all expectations; both St John’s Hall and Castleisland Community Centre were very well supported on all days and both were packed to capacity on the 28th and 30th.
Coverage and pictures of the blitz can be found on pages 52 and53in The Kerryman’s Sports section and on these pages St Mary’s club PRO Liz Galwey provides a rundown of some of the more exciting finals for flavour.
It is estimated that in excess of 13,000 patrons visited the tournament this year and the finals were among some of the most exciting ever witnessed with some going to overtime and double overtime, and most others finishing with only a basket separating the sides.
Presentations were made to retired national school principals, Cáit Daly of Scoil Ide Curranes; and Denis Griffin of Castleisland Boys National School for their dedication to the blitz during their reigns.
A special presentation was also made to club chairman Maurice Casey. Maurice has been chair for the past five years and he was highly complimented on his success and popularity as both chairman and club member and for the ongoing work he does for the club.
Maurice’s wife Michelle was also presented with a bouquet of flowers.
Senior National School Boys B: Firies 13 V Gael Scoil Aogáin 12
A strong Gael Scoil squad held a marginal lead in this thriller up until the final seconds but at no point did Firies lose heart.The determination of the Firies boys was rewarded; they lost and regained possession during the last 11 seconds but they played their hearts out and a basket with just under three seconds to go from team captain Stephen Palmer stole the game. Ger Ó Brosnacháin was outstanding for Gael Scoil and registered six points for his side while, for Firies, Stephen Palmer hit four, and MVP for the game was James Horgan from Firies who secured seven points for his side.
U-14 Girls: St Mary’s Black 25 V Kerry Green 19
A fantastic game which was close throughout. Kerry Green were down a point with just seconds left on the clock before they levelled from the free throw line. The game went into overtime of three minutes and finished with St Mary’s winning by six points.
MVP: Paris McCarthy, St Mary’s.
Division 3 Ladies: Blossom Hillers 11 V Desmonds 13
In the first senior game of the day Blossom Hillers led by nine points to six at the interval. Desmonds were not to be outdone though and had levelled with a minute and a half to go. They took the lead for the first time as the clock ran down, Blossom Hill took possession with 40 seconds remaining but could not find the target and Desmonds remained two points ahead on the final buzzer. MVP: Marie Twomey.
Division 2 Ladies: St Bridget’s 12 V St Mary’s Red 18
A good start saw St Mary’s take a comfortable lead early in the game with team captain Nicole Downey opening the scoring. However, St Bridget’s hit some unanswered baskets to reduce the gap as the game progressed with Fiona Nelligan McGuire going on a scoring spree. The home team led 15 points to 12 with a minute and a half to go when a rebound from Katie Reidy set Rebecca Ryan up for a three to push them further ahead. A steal by Maeve Young ensured that St Bridget’s did not have the time to recover and St Mary’s took the division two title. MVP: Rebecca Ryan, St. Mary’s.
Junior National School Boys A: Gael Scoil Aogáin 10 V Holy Family 7
These boys had a long wait for their final and it was one that did not disappoint; it was close and exciting and the crowd went from roars to silence as teams scored and went to the free throw line. Holy Family led by two points at the interval. After an outstanding lay-up by Cillian O’Duinneacha for Gael Scoil they scored again to take the lead for the first time in the game. A steal led to free throws and and it was soon seven points to four in favour of Gael Scoil mid way through the second half. David Darmody from Holy Family made a basket and bonus with less than three minutes to play to level but Gael Scoil’s Criostóir Ó Dubhain hit back with one from the line and went on to make another basket to put Gael scoil up by three with 47 seconds on the clock. Two turnovers cost Holy Family and it was Gael Scoil for the win when the buzzer rang.
MVP: Criostóir Ó Dubháin, Gael Scoil Aogáin.
RIVER ISLAND HOTEL CARDS RESULTS:
THE following are the results of the card game held in The River Island Hotel on Sunday night last.: 1st.: Tom Brennan and Paddy Herlihy, Pat and Dom O’Donnell. 2nd.: Dave O’Mahony and John McMahon. Ladies: Ann Walsh and Noreen Fleming. Gents: Seamus McKenna and Eddie Barrett.
Mixed: Joan Nolan and Tony Fleming. Spots: Tom Horgan and Jack Kelly, Maureen Fitzgerald and Kathleen McCarthy, Peter Tangney and Tess Brosnan. Cards continue every Sunday night at 9pm sharp.
CORDAL RESOURCE CARDS RESULTS:
THE following are the results of the card game held in the Cordal Resource Centre: 1st.: Jerry Donoghue and Danny Leane. 2nd.: Kathleen and Mary B. Herlihy. Tony Marshall and Denis McCarthy. Ladies: Maggie and Nora O’ Connor. Gents: Seán Walsh and Connie Keane, Johnny Healy and Frank Moran. Mixed: Johnny O’Connell and Dot O’Connor. Spots: Paul and John Geaney, Seán and Con Cronin, Dolly McAulliffe and Norrie O’Connor. Cards continue next Wednesday night at 9pm sharp.
We would also like to take this opportunity to wish everybody a happy New Year. The organisers and players of both the River Island Hotel and the Cordal Community Centre card drives wish to send their condolences to the family of the late Nicholas Kearney of Glenlarhan who passed away at the weekend.