Fitzmaurice era to begin in Fitzgerald Stadium against IT Tralee

KERRY’S opening game under new manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice and his selectors is on Saturday next when IT Tralee provide the opposition in the McGrath Cup in Fitzgerald Stadium Killarney at 2pm.

Admission is just €5 with juveniles Under 16 admitted free.

The winners of that game play UCC on the following Sunday. Kerry has won the McGrath Cup on three previous occasions and the competition is an ideal preparation for the commencement of the National Football League in just four weeks time when Kerry play Mayo. Waterford Crystal Cup THE Kerry hurlers also begin their season under new management and Tom Howard's men will take on IT Tralee on January 20 at a north Kerry venue. Winners play LIT the following Sunday. Kerry do not open their National Hurling League campaign until February 24 when they entertain Westmeath in Division 2A. Ardfert FRIDAY, January 25 will be a big night for Ardfert Football Club when the club celebrates the 25th anniversary of winning the 1987 county junior football championship final with victory over Finuge.

Ardfert had actually won the Novice Final in 1981, but then went on to lose the Junior finals of 1982 and 1984 as well as the Senior Club Championship final in 1983 before their victory in 1987. The celebration goes ahead in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel and Sean Kelly MEP will be the guest of honour.

Scór na nÓg

THE Munster semi-finals of Scór na n-Óg involving clubs from Kerry, Cork and Waterford will take place at Ovens, County Cork on Sunday, January 13 commencing at 2:30pm. Handball JACK O'Shea (Glenbeigh) captured the County 40x20 Junior B Singles title in Glenbeigh on Thursday 13th December. O'Shea defeated Clive Counihan (Ballymacelligott) 21-8, 21-9 in the decider to advance to the Munster championship as Kerry number 1, Counihan goes through as the number 2 seed from the county. Happy New Year ON behalf of Kerry GAA may I wish all our players, supporters, administrators and all GAA people at large a very prosperous and successful new year.