The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Cracking opening blitz as KABB season gets underway
THE opening U-10 KABB Blitz of the season took place at Mounthawk Park on Sunday with two courts used at Mounthawk and Moyderwell. 46 teams were involved in 51 games in what was a hugely enjoyable day for the young players and the big crowds watching.
UNDER-12S Kenmare Kestrels 23 Killarney Cougars 24
This U12 Boys Division 2 game will probably go down as one of the games of the season. The sides exchanged baskets all game with the home side just two points up at the end of the first quarter. Cougars fought back in the second quarter and kept that lead into the third.
Kenmare Kestrels threw everything at the Killarney boys in the final period but came up just one point short. Feargal Murphy was the top scorer for Cougars while Dylan Treyvaud led the Kestrels scoring charts.
St Mary’s 20 St Josephs 25
In the U-12 Division 2 encounter at the Castleisland CC the visitors took an early 7 point lead and despite the home side fighting back St Joseph’s led by 10 at the end of the first quarter. St Mary’s put in a great second quarter and were with three points at the break with the score 13-17 to Josephs.
St Mary’s tried very hard to get back to level but St Joseph’s just stayed ahead and were 6 up going into the third quarter and held on to take a good win on the road. Jokub Surzyn and Adam Tagney were the top players for St Mary’ with St Joseph’s Ronan Sheridan and PJ Dowling leading their side to the win.
Ballybunion 32 Glenbeigh 28
Glenbeigh made the trip to the North Kerry coast but left empty handed going down by 4 points in the U-12 Division 3 clash. There was never more than a couple of baskets between the sides with Ballybunion’s Odhran Buckley leading the way as his side showed a great work ethic and determination to hold on for the four point win.
UNDER-14S KCYMS 50 St Brendan’s 47
This U-14 Division 1 game between KCYMS and St Brendan’s went down to the final seconds. Conor Buckley hit a three for the Killorglin side with two seconds on the clock to send the game into overtime after they came back from 17 points down at one stage. Scores from Eoin O’Connell and Darragh Foley in overtime wrapped up the win.
Tralee Tigers 47 Team Kerry Vixens 46
This U-14 Boys Division 3 game between Tralee Tigers and Team Kerry Vixens turned into a 93-point cracker. The game needed overtime to separate the sides and indeed was in the balance all the way to the final buzzer. A last second shot by Vixens looked to have won the game but it rolled around the rim and fell out much to the Tigers joy. Both coaches Eamon McGuire Tralee and Vixens Athea’s Trish Philips deserve great credit for the skill levels of their teams.
Gneeveguilla 37 St Mary’s 36
This U-14 Girls Division 2 Pool 2 game was another one that went down to the wire. Gneeveguilla led 21-12 at the break but the girls needed to draw on all their defensive and offensive skills to hold on for the win. They were led by the excellent Leah Murphy who top scored on 11 points. Her teammates Katelyn O’Leary ended with 7 and Ella Guerin-Crowley hit 5.
St Brendan’s 25 St Colman’s Sparks 38
In this U-14 Girls Division 3 Pool 3 encounter between St Brendan’s and St Coleman’s played in Moyderwell saw the visitors take the win. It was a very tight first quarter with the home side leading 9-8. The visitors took over in the second and third quarters outscoring their host 19-4 and there was no way back for the Tralee side.
For the winners Ella McGillycuddy hit 12 and Laoise Foley 8 while for St Brendan’s Abigail O’Shea also ended with 12 while Aisling Browne had 6 points.
U-18 GIRLS
Tralee Imperials U-18 Girls got their Division 1 League campaign off to the perfect start. They opened with a 47-34 point home win over St Pauls Killarney. And they followed this up with an away win at TK Bobcats to lay down an early marker for the season. Amongst the girls who put in very good performances were Rachel Kilgallen, Lara Flynn and Rebecca Conway.