SIDELINES

Tralee’s Mary Sheehy provided the decisive point for Ireland as they overcame Belgium in the final of the European Ladies Seniors Team Championships in Poland. The Tralee star hit a monster fifty foot putt for birdie on the third extra hole to claim the deciding match and the title. “I’m thrilled and it’s a privilege to be par t of such a fabulous team,” she enthused afterwards. Kerry senior football manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice confirmed he would remain in the role for another two seasons, to extend his reign to six years at the helm. An announcement on Fitzmaurice’s selectors and backroom team was expected later in the season. It was a glorious five in-a-row for the Kerry minor hurlers in the All Ireland minor B championship. John Hennessy’s men overcame a stiff challenge from Meath in the final in Semple Stadium to run out nine point winners – 4-17 to 3-11. The margin of victory probably flattered Kerry just a little as Meath gave them plenty to think about with crucial goals at various stages of the contest. A rousing finish to the game by Kerry, however, ensured they would go down in history as the first Kerry team – and perhaps even the first ever inter-county team – to win five in-a-row in any All Ireland grade. Mid Kerry saw off championship new-comers Firies 3-13 to 0-10 in the semi-final of the County Minor Football Championship. They would face East Kerry in the final. Dingle Bay Rovers advanced past Cork side Park United in the Keane’s Jewellers Munster Champions Trophy on a 6-4 scoreline. A delay to the opening of the Kerry GAA Centre of Excellence at Currans was announced this month. It had been hoped that the facility would be open in November, but now would not open until May of 2017. It was a famous day for Crotta O’Neills as they claimed a first ever County Minor Hurling crown. The game took place as a cur tain raiser to the senior hurling final, but became the day’s big story. Brendan O’Mahony’s men battled hard to run out 0-11 to 0-9 winners over a hotly fancied Lixnaw side. “Unbelievable for Crotta today,” O’Mahony said after the game. “We haven’t won a senior title since ‘68 so we are just delighted. We expected a hard battle and we are delighted to come out on top.” Southern Gaels claimed the County Senior A Ladies football championship title for the first time in six years with a 6-12 to 2-6 victory over Beaufort. In the Intermediate final Rathmore saw off Rathmore 2-18 to 1-8. In the Junior A decider Austin Stacks needed extra-time to see off Kilcummin 3-17 to 2-15. Austin Stacks upset the odds to claim victory in the County Senior Club Football Championship final. Their opponents, Dr Crokes, had been hotly tipped following an impressive couple of months, but Stephen Stack’s side dug deep to run out 2-12 to 1-14 winners. “I am absolutely delighted,” Stack said. “I’m thrilled for the lads. Over the years Crokes have been our great nemesis, we had great confidence in the lads coming into this game. I’m incredibly proud of the lads in terms of their application, attitude, hunger and most impor tantly their composure.” An Riocht’s Ger Cremin claimed a silver medal at the British Maters Track and Field Championships in Birmingham in the Over 35 100m hurdles. Tralee claimed top spot in the Joe Quinlan Foursomes seeing off Castleisland in the final at Dooks, while Ballyheigue claimed victory in the Nines of Kerry by seeing off Castlegregory in the final at Killarney. In the county intermediate football championship semi-finals Templenoe and Kenmare both won to set up a potentially mouthwatering county final. Kenmare saw off Castleisland Desmonds 2-13 to 1-9, while Templenoe saw off An Ghaeltacht 2-7 to 0-11. In the county premier junior football championship semi-finals Glenbeigh / Glencar saw off Ballydonoghue – 1-14 to 2-8 – and Na Gaeil saw off Listowel Emmets – 3-14 to 1-13. Ballybunion’s ladies team had to be satisfied with silver medals in the All Ireland finals of the Challenge Cup played at Dunkdalk Golf Club.