The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Rangers pull out of U-21 FC
Emigration, injury and work force Shannon Rangers withdrawal
SHANNON Rangers have been forced to withdraw from the County Under-21 Football Championship, which starts this evening, after losing almost an entire team to a combination of summer emigration, injury, holidays and work commitments.
The district team from north Kerry was scheduled to host Kenmare District in Tarbert this evening (Wednesday) but had to concede a walkover early on Tuesday when management realised they wouldn’t have enough players to field a team.
Shannon Rangers chairman Conor Heaphy told The Kerryman on Tuesday afternoon that the situation was unavoidable but very regrettable, and said he had contacted the Kenmare District management to apologise for the late withdrawal.
“We’ve seven fellas gone abroad for the summer, to New York and Boston. We’ve another two fellas who picked up injuries in the last couple of weeks, another two gone on holidays they had arranged. That’s nine players there alone. Then there’s an overhaul in Moneypoint (power station) and there is another six or seven fellas - maybe more - gone in there. It’s just seasonal work for the summer but they’re doing night shifts so they’re unavailable too,” Heaphy explained.
“We were also told that Jason Foley could only play half a match. That’s what came down from the Kerry senior management. The same was the case for Seanie O’Shea. I got that from the Kenmare lads when I was talking to them,” Heaphy said.
“It’s a very genuine case and it’s very regrettable. We knew the lads were going to America but the injuries and the work for the lads in Moneypoint came upon us and we just couldn’t get the numbers. It’s very disappointing, especially for (management) Denis Lynch and Sean Carr who had great work done with the players they were working with.
“I rang the people involved with Kenmare District and apologised that we couldn’t give them a game.
“I was also in contact with [County Board Secretary) Peter Twiss on Tuesday. In fairness, he was understanding of our situation. I’d hope there wouldn’t be any sanction or penalty on us, but that’s for another day,” Heaphy added.
Meanwhile, six U-21 first round games do go ahead this evening, with Dr Crokes having a bye to the next round.
Defending champions South Kerry travel north to Tralee to face Austin Stacks, while Dingle - many people’s fancy to win the Championship this year - take on St Brendan in Blennerville.
Elsewhere, the CCC has scheduled Round 3 of the County SFC following the draw on Friday.
On Saturday, July 8 St Brendans play East Kerry in Austin Stack Park at 7:15pm. A double-header in Stack Park on Sunday, July 9 sees Legion play West Kerry at 2pm followed by Dingle versus South Kerry at 3.45pm. The same day Feale Rangers play Kenmare Shamrocks in Fitzgerald Stadium at 2pm.
The respective winners will earn a quarter-final place alongside Dr Crokes, Austin Stacks, Rathmore and Kerins O’Rahillys, with that quartet in one bowl and the Round 3 winners in another bowl for the Quarter-final draw.