The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Action turns domestic again
PRIDE of place this weekend goes to the playing of the Castleisland Mart Senior Club Championship final between Dr Crokes and Kenmare Shamrocks which takes place on Sunday in Fitzgerald Stadium at 2:30pm.
The fact that both of these sides will meet in the senior county championship quarter finals in just two weeks time should whet the appetite even further. Dr Crokes are appearing in their sixth final on the trot having won three in a row between 2012 and 2014, but suffering defeat in their last two appearances, to Dingle in 2015 and Austin Stacks last year.
In comparison, Kenmare Shamrocks are appearing in their first final having been promoted to the senior ranks this season following victory over near neighbours Templenoe in last year’s Intermediate final.
To reach Sunday’s final they accounted for Kerins O’Rahillys in Strand Road by a point and then defeated Legion in the semi-final in Fitzgerald Stadium, while Dr Crokes had a good win over Austin Stacks in Round 1 and then Rathmore in the semi-final.
Given that it is a perfect rehearsal for the county championship encounter, this initial meeting is sure to give value for money with so many young up and coming players on both sides.
Intermediate Club
THE first of the two Castleisland Mart Intermediate Club Championship semi finals is down for decision this weekend when St Marys play An Ghaeltacht in Killorglin on Sunday at 2:30.
These sides clashed as late as last Sunday in the senior football league, a game that finished in a victory for An Ghaeltacht but the stakes on Sunday are a lot higher as All Ireland Intermediate champions from 2016 St Marys, who have defeated Currow and Desmond to get this far, only know too well.
An Ghaeltacht, with a young team, have been making steady progress under Marc Ó Sé and defeated Gneeveguilla and Ardfert, both in Gallarus, on the way to Sunday’s semi-final.
The second semi-final between Templenoe and Laune Rangers will be played on Saturday, September 23 at 5pm in Fitzgerald Stadium. The Kerry champions are away to the Tipperary representatives on the weekend of October 30.
Junior Premier Club
THERE is a big local derby in Cahersiveen on Saturday when South Kerry rivals, Dromid Pearses and Skellig Rangers meet in the Castleisland Mart Junior Premier Club Championship semi final (5pm).
The stakes are always high when local sides clash in championship action and the fact that a final place is at stake makes this an eagerly anticipated fixture. Both sides have been successful at junior level in recent times and have had good League seasons in their respective divisions.
Dromid have accounted for Renard and Fossa on their way to the semi-final, while Skellig Rangers defeated St Pats and then took a major scalp when defeating Listowel Emmets in the quarter-finals.
The second semi-final between Firies and Na Gaeil will be played on September 30 and the Kerry representatives will be in Munster action on November 6 with a home tie against Waterford opposition.
Junior
THE first semi final of the Castleisland Mart Junior Championship is down for decision on this Saturday at 5pm when two sides from opposite ends of the county, Tuosist and Castlegregory, meet in Direen.
The West Kerry side, who finished just behind the leaders in Division 3, defeated Scartaglin and Duagh on their way to the semi-final while Tuosist, languishing in the bottom half of Division 5, have defeated Valentia and Ballyduff.
In the other semi-final Listry now take on Lispole in Strand Road on Saturday, September 16, which is a week later than originally fixed.
Novice
THERE are still two games to be played in Round 1 of the Novice Championship.
On Sunday next, Beale have home venue against fellow North Kerry side, Moyvane (2:30pm) with the winners there due to play Sneem-Derrynane in the semi final on September 16. Meanwhile, the Kilgarvan v Cromane first Round tie will not be played until September 24 and the winners there will play Scartaglin in the semi-final.