Langan: Plans afoot for amalgamation at minor and U-21

SHANNON RANGERS chairman Joe Langan has confirmed that plans are afoot in an attempt to amalgamate with Feale Rangers at minor and under-21 level for this year’s county championship campaigns.

The Tarbert man says a meeting between the two divisions has already taken place on the issue.

“At the moment, we’re checking out if we can participate with a full North Kerry team at under-21 and minor this year. The clubs are going to be asked during the week to go ahead with this,” he said.

“If the County Board allow us, that’s what we will be doing at the beginning. Start at under-21 and minor and then we’ll see where we’re going after that.

“I think the clubs will back this because we just don’t have the amount of players that we used to have years ago. A lot of players now, they go to America in the summer and we have a big problem in Shannon Rangers because part of our Shannon Rangers is

Ballyduff, and a lot of their good footballers also play hurling with Ballyduff, and are on the Kerry hurling team.

“With the commitments today, they cannot give it to both things. Indeed, maybe down the line, we will have to join all together at senior level to make a proper North Kerry team to try and improve the football in North Kerry.”

Shannon Rangers’ last county minor victory was in 1991, while they have never won the under-21 title. Langan tells a story of their preparations for last year’s clash with Laune Rangers at that level.

“We struggled for players to go to Killorglin. As a matter of fact, we were ringing fellas ten minutes before the bus left to try and get a team!

“When I came home after, and checked when they were minors, only four of that starting fifteen in the minors started that night in Killorglin with the under-21s. And Laune Rangers only beat us by a point, we were unlucky enough.

“Looking at the future, and looking at the players that are around, we’re going to struggle again this year if we don’t join up with Feale Rangers. We just don’t have the numbers.”

At senior level, Shannon Rangers have lifted the Bishop Moynihan Cup on five occasions – 1942, 1945, 1964, 1972 and 1977. Yet, they have only recorded two victories in the last five years, including against Kenmare District last year.

Can they do any better in 2020?

“I think we can definitely participate better than what we did last year. But we’re going to have to get in a good trainer, somebody with a name that has won All-Ireland medals, because the players today don’t want to listen to any ordinary individuals. If that doesn’t work, then I don’t know what’s going to work,” added the Tarbert clubman.

Do the players even care about Shannon Rangers or Feale Rangers anymore?

“It’s gone to the situation where they think that they have no hope of winning. And you cannot train for a county championship game a week before it begins. You have to have had 12 to 15 training sessions and a couple of matches under your belt to participate against the East Kerrys and Dingles and Dr Crokes’. Otherwise, you are only codding yourself.”

Despite their current difficulties, Shannon Rangers are extremely proud to have Shane Enright and Jason Foley as important members of Peter Keane’s Kerry senior squad.

“We’re very pleased to have that and those two boys are well worth their places on the panel. We also have six or seven fellas that have All-Ireland junior medals, we have four or five Kerry minors, so we should be participating way better than what we are.

“Whatever is wrong, whether it’s lack of interest or not, but training a week before a county championship match is not on. You have to be trained and well prepared to take on all those good teams.”

A lack of employment in the North Kerry region, and the fact that many of the clubs are operating in the lower divisions of the County League, are other factors that are hindering the progression of football in the district.

“In our time, with the ESB in Tarbert, there were fourteen of our team working there. That day is long gone. There were 240 people working in Tarbert Island when I started, now there’s 38. And that’s only in our village, so the lack of jobs is a huge factor.

“A lot of kids now, they’re going to America to try and make their college fees, and they’re all good footballers. They’re being well looked after in places like New York, and that’s the reason that they leave in the summer.

“You’re missing them then for three or four months and all our clubs are suffering because of that. That’s why most of the clubs in North Kerry are down in Divisions three, four and five. There’s just the two teams in Division Two – Castleisland Desmonds and Ballydonoghue.

“Peter Keane has enough to be doing going around to watch Division One games. They’re not going to come out watching Division Four football. But I suppose the good players will always be seen and will get a chance.

“In fairness, Kerry always give fellas a chance. John Kennedy has three All-Ireland medals playing with Asdee, so you do get a chance if you are good enough. But it certainly makes it easier if you kick ten points playing in Division One. If you kick ten points in Division Four, nobody will take any notice of you,” concluded Langan.