SPORTS REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2017: JUNE

The Brendan O’Sullivan saga rumbled on into the first week of June with Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice giving his and the County Board’s point of view. “We have felt all along that neither Kerry or Brendan had anything to hide, there was a process there and it took a lot longer than we anticipated,” he said. The Kerry boss did, however, question how it came to be that the report was leaked to the Sunday Independent.

Tralee Harriers’ Seán Murphy brought home gold to the Kingdom at the Munster Under 9-13 Track and Field Championships. Murphy took first place in the Under 9 turbo javelin. Later in the month at the Under 14-19 championships, held in CIT, there was more gold for the Kingdom with Mervyn Shalemba (below) – who took a double gold at the All Ireland schools championships earlier in the month – claiming good in both the boys Under 16 100m and 200m. Tralee Harries Colm Commane, meanwhile, took gold in the Under 15 boys 100m, 200m and long jump.

The Kerry Under 14 girls team marched to the final of the All Ireland A championship with a comprehensive victory over Cavan in the All Ireland semi-final in Offaly. Kerry ran out 3-16 to 4-3 winners, winning the right to face Connacht kingpins Galway in the All Ireland final.

Waterville’s David Higgins continued his fine start to the season by claiming the Flogas Portmarnock Pro-Am title. The Kerry golfer took his third win of the season after shooting a final round four under par 67 to win by a single shot from former European Tour player Damien McGrane. He continued that fine form throughout the month, claiming the top spot at Dunfanaghy and the Carne Pro Am in Mayo. He rounded out the month with his sixth way of the season at the Moy Pro Am.

Listowel Celtic’s Under 14 girls team won the Tom Hayes Girls Cup when they saw off Inter Kenmare 4-1 in the final.

St Brendans Park claimed the Dominos Pizza Under 17 Cup crown when they saw off Killarney Celtic in a seven goal thriller at Mounthawk Park. Park boss George Dineen was understandably chuffed by his side’s success. “Celtic defeated us twice in the league so we knew that it would take a very special effor t to win this final,” he said. “This was our last chance to win silverware this year so it is great to finish the season with something to show for it.”

Killarney co-driver and his Tyrone pilot Kris Meeke were dropped for the Rally of Poland after the pair crashed out from the Rally Sardinia at the beginning of the month. It followed on from their horror-smash at the Rally of Argentina in May, leading Citreon bosses to have the pair sit out the event in Poland to prepare for the Finnish Rally in July.

Listowel golfer John Daniel Guiney fired a final round 68 to finish at four under par and claim victory in the Long Island Open in New York by two shots. It was Guiney’s first title success on course for a number of seasons and a most welcome return to form.

“I’m enjoying playing golf again. I didn’t for a long time as I was placing myself under too much pressure,” the 32 year old said.

Shannon Rangers withdrew from the County Under 21 football champions citing emigration, injury and work commitments as factors in their withdraw. It was a great shame for the club and, of course, for the competition as Shannon Rangers have a handful of very promising young footballers at their disposal – Brian Ó Seanacháin, Jason Foley and Michael Foley to name just three.

A new statute to Kerry great John Egan was unveiled in his home village of Sneem this month.

The Kerry ladies qualified for the Munster senior football final, making up for their first round defeat to Waterford with a famous victory over Cork in Fitzgerald Stadium. Kerry manager Graham Shine led his side to a 2-15 to 2-13 victory over their great rivals to set up a re-match with the Déise.

“It was an absolutely fantastic game,” Kerry star Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh said after the match.

“Both teams gave it everything. We went in five points up, but we know Cork are an outstanding team. You’d look up to them and we knew they’d come back at us, but there’s this experience with us. Our heads don’t drop. It’s a sign of the hear t in the team.”

Castleisland claimed the Under 14 county title having seen off East Kerry on a 2-9 to 1-7 scoreline. In the plate final West Kerry saw off Eoghan Ruadh 2-14

to 2-7.

Kerry won the Shield at the Kennedy Cup, recovering from a poor star t to the competition to rally and finish in 17th place overall. In the Shield final the Kingdom ran out 3-1 winners over West Cork.