The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Under 21s disappoint
County Board PRO John O’Leary with all the GAA news
IN a very disappointing finale to their season, the Kerry Under 21 footballers were outclassed by a spirited Galway side in the All-Ireland semi-final in Ennis on Saturday last.
The winners got off to the proverbial whirlwind start and with Kerry caught in the headlights, the wind assisted Tribesmen had a match winning tally of 1-7 on the scoreboard inside the opening ten minutes or so. Kerry did recover their composure to some extent before the break as Galway’s by now wayward shooting kept the Kingdom in the game.
An eight-point half time deficit was reduced to five immediately on the resumption and the margin was down to three by the end of the third quarter, however, a very harsh second yellow card for Barry O’Sullivan more or less was the death-knell for Kerry’ aspirations and they finished four points adrift at the end, 2-14 to 2-10.
So a season that promised so much ended in heart break. The intensity and the focus that was so evident in the Munster final win over Cork was very obviously missing on this occasion.
To replicate such a complete performance as was given in Páirc Uí Rinn was always going to be a challenge.
Galway, following a fine display against Mayo in the opening round, were themselves lethargic in the Connacht final against Sligo but survived after extra time and this time round were in perfect shape physically and mentally for the Kerry challenge.
A disappointing end to the season for Jack O’Connor’s charges, but the experience gained – tough and all as it was to take – is sure to stand the players in good stead in their future careers.
Minors
KERRY eased their way to a probable Munster Minor Football Championship semi final showdown with Cork on May 10 following a decisive victory (2-16 to 1-6) over Clare before an attendance of 2,567 at Tralee’s Austin Stack Park on Wednesday evening last.
There was never any likelihood that Clare would cause an upset at any stage, but the Kerry management will be far from happy with their side’s second half display when they shared the scoring with the Bannermen, squandering numerous scoring chances in the process.
The team that did duty on Wednesday evening contained just four of the side who played in the All Ireland Minor Final last year – Michael Potts, Diarmuid O’Connor, Brian Friel and David Clifford – while the injured pair of Cian O’Callaghan and Cian Gammell along with Niall Donohue, Fiachra Clifford, Chris O’Donoghue and Ryan O’Neill were all part of the extended training panel last year.
Kerry, Cork and Limerick have qualified for the Munster semi-finals, however, the exact semi-final line-up will not be decided until the play-offs have been completed.
While Kerry and Cork are on the same side of the draw, repeat pairings are not allowed and if Waterford were to defeat Clare and then defeat Tipperary in the playoffs, for instance, then the Deise county would be drawn against Cork or Kerry in the semi-finals as they have already played Limerick!
So, while everyone will be keeping an eye on Waterford’s progress – they are away to Clare on this Wednesday – the odds favour a Kerry v Cork winner takes all semi-final on May 10 in Páirc Uí Rinn. The losers of that game will exit the competition as there is no back door at the semi-final stage.
County MFL
THIS is an important week for the County Minor Football League with important back games pencilled in for Tuesday and Friday while some semi-finals, especially in the lower divisions, will also be played on Friday. Groups with six teams will have two semi-finals while in groups with five teams, the top team goes into the final and second and third play-off in a semi-final.
The following is a general idea of the play-off positions in each of the groups before Tuesday’s back games: Division 1 Austin Stacks and Dingle are heading towards the semi finals with the remaining two places resting between Dr Crokes, Na Gaeil and Laune Rangers Division 2 Cordal/Scart, Kilgarvan/Tuosist/ Templenoe, Emmets and Rathmore have qualified for the semi-finals on Friday. Division 3A Ballymacelligott are in the semi-finals and they will be joined by three of the following four teams; An Ghaeltacht, Beaufor t, Glenflesk and Fossa. Division 3B John Mitchels and Desmonds are in the semi finals and they will be joined by Kenmare Gneeveguilla or Keel/ Listry. Division 4 Finuge are in the final and Annascaul/ Lispole play St Senans in the semifinal this Friday in Annascaul.
Division 5
Renard/St Marys, Milltown-Castlemaine, Waterville/Dromid and Glenbeigh-Glencar/Cromane look best placed to qualify for the semi-finals.
Division 6A
The semi final line-up this Friday is Castlegregory v St Michaels-Foilmore in Castlegregory and Knock/Brosna v Beale in Brosna. Both games at 6:45.
Division 6B
The semi-final line-up this Friday is Skellig Rangers/Valentia/Sneem/ Derrynane v Moyvane/Tarbert and Asdee/Ballylongford v St Pats in Ballylongford at 6:45pm.
County Committee Meeting
A MEETING of the County Committee will be held in Austin Stack Park on Monday next at 8pm.