Tough start for the Kerry hurlers in Navan

THE Kerry senior hurlers were defeated by Meath by 3-20 to 2-17 in round 1 of the Leinster Senior Championship round robin series campaign last Sunday.

Kerry now face another difficult away game on this Sunday, April 30 in Round 2 when they play Westmeath at Cusack Park, Mullingar, 3pm. Westmeath operated out of Division 2A in the league and won 3 out of 5 games, defeating Antrim, Armagh and London. With both sides losing last Sunday, this is a must win game, one that Kerry are well capable of re-grouping for.

The Kerry team will be announced at 9pm on Friday evening and posted on the Kerry GAA website.

County SHL

THREE games went ahead last Sunday in Round 2 of the Credit Union Co. Senior hurling league Division 1, following which St. Brendan’s and Lixnaw are joint top of the table on four points each.

The Ardfert side had a 1-17 to 3-10 away win over Causeway while Lixnaw defeated Kilmoyley by 3-13 to 0-12. Ballyduff opened their campaign with a 1-13 to 0-14 win over Abbeydorney.

The remaining Round 2 game between Ballyheigue v Crotta goes ahead on this Saturday evening at Ballyheigue, 6.30pm. Round 3 is scheduled for the weekend of 7 May.

Division 2 will be played on Wednesday evenings, commencing on 31 May.

Celtic Challenge

THE Under 17 Celtic Challenge County & Divisional hurling competition commences on Wednesday next, 3 May.

Aimed at players aged 16 and 17-year olds who are not participating in State Examinations during May and June, 47 teams country wide will participate in the competition. Fixtures information on www.gaa.ie Kerry participate in Group B where they will play Clare South/East, North Cork, West Limerick, Limerick City and West Cork before moving on to a seeded knock-out phase.

The competition will culminate with all finals being played at Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow on Saturday, 24June.