The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Country wins town league, but no losers in Listowel
NICKNAMED after the Argentinian soccer legend, Maurice ‘Kempes’ Kelliher proved himself worthy of his lofty title at the revived Listowel Town League on Easter Sunday — but while the competition’s oldest player was named manof-the-tournament, not even Kempes’ four-point final haul could secure the title for Liam Canty-managed Gleann.
The Gleann qualified for the decider alongside eventual champions The Country, but while the football blitz was a highlight of the weekend’s proceedings, Easter fun in aid of Scoil Réalta na Maidine was the ultimate goal.
“The Gleann and the Country were joined by the Boro and the Ashes for the Sunday blitz,” Liam explained.
“We were all over-18s who had formerly attended Scoil Réalta na Maidine, and this was a revival of a competition that goes back years in the locality. We did the last one around nine years ago as a school fund-raiser, and fund-raising was the aim again on Sunday.
“In total, you probably had the bones of around 100 players here at the weekend, and the attendance was excellent, and the events equally so.
“They had bouncing castles, icecream vans, face-painting and all sorts for the kids, and the whole thing went down very well with everyone who called by to cheer for the participants” he added.
The footballing action and Sunday fun at the school was preceded by a 20 kilometre walk on Easter Saturday, taking participants from the Cashen back to the school via Listowel, Dromerin, Scartlea, and the River Walk. In the school itself, there was a bounty of memorabilia for everyone to enjoy over the weekend.
The events’ aim was to secure extra interactive white boards for Scoil Réalta na Maidine, which the school said will bring an added, exciting dimension to the pupils’ learning experiences.