The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Mini Sevens action takes centre stage
THE mini sevens competition were completed in two of our nine districts last week and those who witnessed the contests organised by Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Chiarraí were treated to some spectacular passages of play in the South Kerry and Mid Kerry boys and girls competitions.
The sevens in the remaining districts are scheduled for the week April 9 – 16.
South Kerry
THE South Kerry section of the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol GAA/INTO Mini -7s was held last Wednesday, March 21 in ideal weather conditions. Eleven school participated in boys and eleven in the girls competitions played in two groups at two venues-Renard and Caherciveen.
Girls from Aghatubrid NS and Portmagee NS qualified from Renard to meet Scoil Saidhbhin and Waterville NS respectively in the semi-finals which were held in Cahersiveen.
The final between Scoil Sadhbhín and Waterville NS was an entertaining match between two evenly matched teams. The well coached Waterville girls led at the break with Holly Galvin, Joanie Curran, Clodagh Dwyer and Maddie Courtney helping them into a three- point lead.
However, the ‘town’ girls came storming back in the second half with a strong defence from Ella Cooke and Ciara Clifford making it difficult for Waterville to score. Scores from Clara Daly and strong performances from Katie O’Connell and Cliona O’Shea meant that the game was in for a nail-biting finish with Scoil Saidhbhin shading it in the end. The shield was presented to Scoil Saidhbhin captain Clara Daly.
In the boy’s competition Valentia NS and Portmagee NS came through from Renard to play Caherdaniel NS and Scoil Saidhbhin boys in the semi-finals.
The Valentia NS v Caherdaniel NS was fiercely competitive in opening half with the minimum between them at half time. However, four goals from Valentia’s Emmet Daly in the second half helped the Islanders to get the upper hand over a tenacious Caherdaniel team.
In the other semi-final Scoil Saidhbhin proved too strong for a young Portmagee team.
The boys’ final between Valentia NS and Scoil Saidhbhin NS turned out to be an intriguing match. The ‘town’ got the perfect start with a goal inside the first twenty seconds from Ben O’Donoghue.
A second goal two minutes later gave Scoil Saidbhin a commanding lead. Valentia NS slowly edged their way back into the game and goals from Micheál Lynch and Philip Daly and a brace of points from Emmet Daly left Valentia one point ahead at the break.
The second half proved to be a tight affair with scores hard to come by. Both defences tightened up with Valentia’s Fionn Cusack, Michael O’Sullivan and Adam Quigley keeping the ‘Town’ team to one-point in the second half.
The Scoil Saidhbhin defence of Alex Kelly and Mark O’Connor along with ‘Keeper’ Jamie Evans were holding out until a long ball in from Junior Kidd was punched into the ‘Town’ net by Emmet Daly.
This proved to be the decisive score to give Valentia NS their first South Kerry title in seventeen years on a score line of 3-3 to 2-3. After losing the final last year Captain Emmet Daly received the shield for a delighted Valentia team.
Mid Kerry
THE Mid Kerry boys’ INTO Mini 7s took place in Cromane on Wednesday with twelve schools taking part.
After some very exciting contests in their groups, the quarter-finals produced excellent games with Kilgobnet defeating neighbours Cullina by a single point, Glounaguillagh defeating Glenbeigh, Scoil Mhuire beating Nagle Rice and in a high quality game Cromane beat Castlemaine.
The semi-final line up saw Glounaguillagh come from behind to defeat Cromane and a great second half by Scoil Mhuire helped them defeat Kilgobnet.
Glounaguillagh got a great start in the final and lead 3-3 to 0-4 thanks to some great goalkeeping and defensive work. They continued to kick good scores and won on a scoreline of 5-5 to 1-5. Huge thanks to Kevin Corkery for organising the Mini 7s and all the teachers for their co-operation in the smooth running of the competition.
Eleven schools participated in the Mid Kerry girls Mini 7s competition on Friday last. Cullina NS and Glenbeigh NS qualified for the semi-finals from a very strong group which included Cromane NS and Castlemaine/Ballyfinnane. Scoil Mhuire Killorglin and Glounaguillagh also came through after tough battles in the quarter finals against Castledrum NS and Nagle Rice, Milltown.
The first semi-final was a repeat of last year’s final when Glenbeigh again came from behind to defeat Scoil Mhuire and a late goal helped Cullina defeat an excellent Glounaguillagh team in the second semi-final.
Cullina went into the final as favourites having defeated Glenbeigh in their group game however, Glenbeigh started well helped by a goal in their first attack and they lead 3-1 to 1-2 at half-time.
Further scores from Seodhla O’Donovan, Naoise Burke and Lea Morris saw Glenbeigh retain their title despite the best efforts of Cullina in particular Grainne Kennedy and Marina Eager who were outstanding throughout.