Kenmare GC announce Federation fixtures for 2019

KENMARE Golf Club will host the Kerry Federation for 2019 and certainly don’t let the grass grow under their feet as the club have already announced the Federation fixtures for next season, although they don’t officially take over from Ballybunion until the Federation’s AGM, which is usually held in late February or early March.

Of course, it’s usually around this time of the year that most clubs plan their fixtures for the following season and so Kenmare have decided to release the dates of the federation fixtures now, rather than wait until the AGM, giving clubs and individuals plenty of notice in preparation for next season.

The first event on the calendar is the Kerry Captains and Guests Day which takes place on Saturday April 2017 where the Captains of Kerry Clubs for 2019 get together for a game of golf and a meal along with their invited guests.

The Kerry Shield will then take place on Saturday June 8 followed by the JB O’Shea Trophy three weeks later June 29.

The Kerry Past and Present Captains Day will then take place on July 27 followed by the two semi-finals of the Dr Billy O’Sullivan Shield on August 24 and the final event of the season will the Dr Billy O’Sullivan final on September 14.

Kenmare last hosted the Federation in 2003 and on that occasion won the Dr Billy O’Sullivan Shield on home turf beating Castleisland in the final.

They also won the trophy when they previously hosted the final in 1994, so no doubt they will want to achieve the historic treble in 2019.

Interestingly, from the twenty-nine finals of the event since its inception in 1990, the host club has won on just eight occasions, beginning with Ceann Sibeal in 1991.

Ballybunion followed suit in 1993, followed by Kenmare in 1994, Tralee in 1998, Kenmare again in 2003, Ballyheigue Castle in 2009, Tralee again in 2012 and Ballybunion again in 2018.

Continuing with the Dr Billy O’Sullivan history lesson, Killarney who are five-time winners along with Kenmare and Ballybunion, have never managed to win a title on their home course with their wins coming at Killorglin (1996), Dooks (1997), Castlegregory (1999), Dooks again in 2008 and Castlegregory again in 2015.

They will, however, have a long wait to try to achieve a “home” win, as they are not scheduled to host the Federation again until 2031.

Kieran O’Connor Boys Captain (right) presenting first prize in his Junior Boys Captain’s Prize competition to winner Colm Cagney with (from left) Colm Cagney 2nd, Jack Buckley President and Derry McCarthy Club Captain at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club. Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin