The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Glenbeigh / Glencar bid for All Ireland glory
THE biggest day in the history of the Glenbeigh / Glencar GAA club is drawing near and all roads will lead to Croke Park on Sunday next when the Mid Kerry side take on Rock St Patricks of Tyrone in the All Ireland Junior Club Final that has a 2pm throw-in.
These are heady times indeed for the red and black side who had to endure many setbacks before finally winning the county Junior Premier final on the October weekend – and that after a replay against Na Gaeil.
Victories over Gerald Griffins of Limerick and Gabriel Rangers of Cork secured them a first ever provincial crown and then, after a very shaky start, their experience saw them settle and take control of the game against Louisburgh of Mayo in the All Ireland semi final.
Opponents Rock St Patricks had a couple of tough games in the latter stages of the Ulster championship, but like the Kerry representatives, they eventually had it all their own way against Edinburgh side Dunedin Gaels in the semi-final.
Kerry clubs have dominated this competition down through the years winning seven of the fifteen finals played (Duagh and Kenmare were defeated finalists) and indeed Glenbeigh-Glencar are attempting to make it three titles on the trot for Kerry clubs with Brosna and Templenoe having won the last two finals.
Tyrone clubs, including Rock in 2008, have lost three finals over the years, but Greencastle did win the 2007 title and between the Junior and Intermediate grades, the Red Hand county have a pretty good record in the competition.
The Kerry standard bearers will have to be at their best to add another club title to Kerry’s list and they take the good wishes of all Kerry supporters in their endeavours.
Sunday’s final will be streamed live on the Kerry GAA website courtesy of local-streaming.club.
Paddy’s Day
DR Crokes put the heartbreak of recent All Ireland Club semi-final defeats at the hands of Crossmaglen Rangers (2012), Ballymun Kickhams (2013) and Castlebar Mitchels (2014) behind them at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening last when overpowering many people’s favourites Corofin of Galway to qualify for an All Ireland final showdown with another team that started the day as underdogs, Slaughtneil of Derry inn Croke Park on St Patrick’s day.
A very positive start from the Killarney side secured them a lead that they never surrendered and though the Galway standard bearers came strong as the second half progressed a wonderful breakaway goal engineered by Daithí Casey and finished by Jordan Kiely paved the way for the black and amber side’s return to Croke Park.
The fact that 2017 marks the 25th anniversary of their one and only All Ireland title in 1992 will hardly go unnoticed around Lewis Road as they prepare for the final.