The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Tyrone test of the Kingdom
THE Kerry senior footballers made the long trip to Breffni Park on Sunday last for the Allianz Football League Round 6 game against Cavan and despite looking good for the two points on offer entering injury time they eventually had to settle for a share of the spoils following two late points from the home side.
Kerry renew rivalry with old adversaries Tyrone when the sides clash in the final round of the Allianz League in Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday next, a game that has a 2pm throw-in time.
With the exception of their last meeting in Fitzgerald Stadium three years ago, when Kerry had fifteen points to spare over their northern opponents, games between these sides have been tight affairs with a point or two being the usual difference between them at the final whistle. I expect Sunday’s game to be no different when two sides, widely tipped to make it to the last four of the championship come August time, go head to head.
Kerry are going through a rough patch injury-wise at this present time, but on the other hand, the younger players are getting valuable experience in their efforts to stake a claim to a place in the coveted championship panel.
It promises to be a game well worth seeing and there is bound to be plenty to talk about when the dust settles – there usually is when these sides meet.
County SFL
A FULL round of games was played in Round 2 the Cerdit Union senior football leagues last weekend the highlight of which was the meeting of All Ireland Club champions Dr Crokes and Rathmore in Lewis Rd which the town side shaded by a goal.
This weekend, the Round 3 meeting of Brosna and Annascaul has been brought forward to Saturday at 5pm and the Division 5 game between Ballyduff and Churchill will be played on Sunday at 2pm.
Round 3 of the League will go ahead on the weekend of April 9 and there is a break then in League activity until June 4 as the various Club Championships kick in.
Junior Club Championship
ON Sunday next, Kilgarvan meet Ballylongford in a Preliminary Round of the Castleisland Mart Junior Club Championship in Kilgarvan at 2pm. Winners are away to Duagh. The second preliminary round of the Junior championship will take place on Sunday, April 9 when Ballyduff play Knocknagoshel.
Hogan Cup Final
BEST wishes to St Brendans College Killarney in their quest to win back to back All Ireland Colleges Hogan Cup titles when they take on St Peters of Wexford in Croke Park on Saturday at 4pm.
St Brendans, who of course are the defending champions, will be trying to emulate Pobal Scoil Chorca Dhuibhne by making it two titles on the trot against a side who have a better history in competing in the All Ireland Colleges Hurling Championship (Croke Cup) rather than its football counterpart.
The Wexford side have earned their final place the hard way however with a tremendous victory over the fancied MacRory Cup champions St Marys of Magherafelt in the semi-final last week and no doubt that will be a huge confidence booster to them.
The Sem will have the edge in experience however with many of last year’s successful side available to them such as David Shaw, Billy Courtney and another Kerry minor from last year, Dara Moynihan from Spa who captains the side.
We wish them well in their quest to bring the Hogan Cup to the Kingdom for the eighth time. While on the Colleges theme, congratulations to Pobal Scoil Chorca Dhuibhne who won the McGirr Cup, All Ireland Junior Colleges fina, l after a dramatic extra time encounter with St Pats of Maghera on Saturday last.
Munster MFC
KERRY Minors open the defence of their Munster and All Ireland minor crowns when they take on Clare on Wednesday, April 12 in Austin Stack Park.