Churchill face fancied Na Gaeil

PREMIER JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

THE remaining quarter-finals in the Junior competition see one Premier and two ‘regular’ Junior ties down for decision over the May weekend.

The Premier Junior match is a meeting of St Brendan’s District sides Na Gaeil and Churchill with the former enjoying home advantage again after coming through a big test in defeating another fancied side in Beaufort on Easter Monday.

Churchill caused a bit of a stir themselves on home turf when they defeated a favoured Ballydonoghue outfit as they head to Killeen with not a lot to lose really in terms of general expectations. Na Gaeil will be relived at how they came through such a difficult early hurdle and will hope they can build on it against a neighbouring side on Sunday. If they manage to guard against any complacency at the weekend then they should be the ones to join Dromid Pearses, Firies and Skellig Rangers in the semi-final draw.

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

IN the Junior grade Tuosist host Ballyduff while Castlegregory entertain Duagh.

Tuosist won a very tight struggle with Valentia to advance while Ballyduff had a very strong victory over Sneem/Derrynane by no less than 17 points. Travelling to the Kenmare District venue itself can be a match for any side but if Ballyduff can find some of the form that saw them beat the South Kerry side so well then they have the ability to ask questions of last year’s Novice runners-p.

Castlegregory and Duagh, meanwhile, is a meeting of two promoted sides from Division Five of the County League whose recent game in Division Four saw an eight point victory for the West Kerry side. The North Kerry side should do a lot better on this occasion but still face a big task in trying to get the better of a rejuvenated Castle outfit.

NOVICE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

THE Novice Championship got underway last weekend with an 11-point victory for Sneem/Derrynane over Valentia by 3-14 to 1-9 to advance to the semi-finals.

This weekend sees a North Kerry derby between Beale and Ballylongford, a tough one to call with Ballylongford having a very strong start in Division Five although Beale should be a lot better on home turf.

Knocknagoshel host Scartaglin as two St Kierans sides do battle with Scart arguably more fancied in advance against a Knock side in need of a morale booster after a 16-point loss to Ballylongford in a Division Five back game at the weekend.

Elsewhere, Cromane travel to Clounmacon next weekend as the latter enter the competition despite not taking part in the County League at the moment.

Asdee play Moyvane at the end of May as Kerry’s fifth tier competition offers with it the chance of Munster action to the winner in the form of representing the county in the Knockaderry Invitational Tournament.