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May 6, 2018May 9, 2018

Kerry U/16’s Claim Munster A Title.

Munster U16 A Championship Final

Kerry 3-9 Tipperary 2-5

Kerry are the 2018 U/16 Munster champions after a hard fought victory over an excellent Tipperary side in sun swept Mallow last Saturday.

Kerry came into the game as firm favourites to lift the title but were put to the pin of their collar for a large portion of the game as Tipperary showed the type of form that they hadn’t displayed in earlier rounds of the competition. Kerry had defeated Tipperary by 21 points in March , but it was a totally different game this time.

Tipperary started brightly and Ava Fennessy pointed in the first minute of the game. Kerry got a great boost 2 minutes later when Clodagh Evans struck a superb shot into the bottom corner of Saoirse Teer’s net for a great goal. Teer was called into action straight afterwards and had to produce a good save to keep Danielle O’Leary’s goal effort out.

From here on though Tipperary began to dominate as Kerry struggled with their strong running game. The livewire Fennessy added 2 more points and wing back Alison Connolly added another to push them 0–4 to 1 goal ahead with 17 minutes gone in the contest. Tipperary did kick some bad wides in the meantime though, and this would ultimately cost them later on in the game.

Kerry were thankful to goalkeeper Ciara Butler who produced 2 world class saves in the space of a minute to deny Tipperary. As if stung by this let off, Kerry replied with an excellent point from Clodagh Evans after good work involving Gemma Kearney, Danielle O’Leary and Siofra O’Shea. The Tipperary reply was instant however, and Ashling Ryan scored a goal from a free kick after her effort for a point ended up in the Kerry net.

Kerry got a life line on the stroke of half time when Ella Teahan pointed after a strong run, and as the half time whistle sounded, Tipperary took a 1-4 to 1-2 lead in at the break.

Tipperary started the brighter in the second half and an Ashling Ryan free kick pushed them 3 ahead before Siofra O’Shea replied a minute later with a pointed free for Kerry. It was from this point on that the game began to change in Kerry’s favour. Kerry manager Rory Kilgallen instructed his players to push up on Tipperary’s kickout, and with the wind rising in their favour, they proceeded to dominate their opponents for the rest of the contest. There were positional changes as well, with Maud Kelly moving to the centre half back position, and Danielle O’Leary moving into full forward.

Kerry scored 1-6 without reply between the 36th and 59th minute to firmly put Tipperary to the sword. International basketballer Siofra O’Shea , who was now operating at centre half forward, chipped in with 4 points (2 frees), while the hard working Mary O’Connell and Ella Teahan contributed 2 more..Kerry’s goal came in the 42nd minute from Danielle O’Leary after she took on the Tipperary defence with a strong run before clinically finishing to the back of the net.

Kerry were now rampant and O’Shea was unlucky when her punched effort for a goal came off the butt of the Tipperary post. Tipperary got a lifeline in the 60th minute when the excellent Caitlinn Kennedy scored a goal directly from a 14 metre free kick to make it a 4 point game, 2-9 to 2-5. Kerry were not to be out done however, and Siofra O’Shea put the icing on the cake when she scored the goal of the game after an electric move involving Rachel Dwyer and Danielle O’Leary. The final whistle sounded soon afterwards, and Kerry were crowned Munster U16 A champions.

Kerry captain Rachel Dwyer received the Munster cup and gave a rousing speech in front of the delighted Kerry supporters. Siofra O’Shea was presented with the Player of The Match award after a superb display from the Southern Gaels girls.

Kerry will now go on to play the winners of the Dublin v Kildare Leinster final in the All Ireland semi final on July 4th.

Kerry Ciara Butler, Maud Kelly, Rachel O’Connor, Ava Doherty, Gemma Kearney, Rachel Dwyer, Aoife Dillane, Mary O’Connell (0-1), Aisling O’Connell, Rachel Kilgallen, Danielle O’Leary (1 goal), Ella Teahan (0-2), Clodagh Evans (1-1), Siofra O’Shea (1-5, 3f), Mary Collins. Subs; Kerri Ann Hanrahan (M Collins, 45 mins), Ciara McCarthy (C Evans 60th min), Roisin Griffin (E Teahan 60th min).

Tipperary Saoirse Deer, Megan Heffernan, Dervla Heffernan, Michelle Cronin, Alison Connolly (0-1), Carrie Davey, Ellen Moore, Caitlinn Kennedy (1 goal f), Orla Winston, Ashling Ryan(1 goal f, 1pt f) , Ava Fennessy (0-3), Rosanna Kelly, Leah Coen, Maeve McGuigan, Emer McCarthy. Subs Queva O’Meara (O Winston 38th min),Caoimhe Mulcahy (A Ryan 50th min), Ciara Dwan (L Coen 51st min), Rachel Moore (M Cronin 51st min).

Referee Colin McTaggart (Cork)

May 5, 2018May 6, 2018

Kerry U/16 Team Named For Munster Final Clash V Tipperary And Preview.

The Kerry U16 management have named their starting line up and panel for today’s Munster Final clash against Tipperary in Mallow at 4.45.

Munster U/16 Ladies Final

Kerry v Tipperary Mallow May 5th @4.45 pm

Kerry U/16’s will face old rivals Tipperary in the Munster U/16 final on Saturday May 5th in Mallow. The sides have a history of meeting each other since U/14 level and will be well aware of each others strengths – and weaknesses.

The sides met in the first round of the Munster competition on March 19th but Kerry were on fire that day and recorded a 5-13 to 1-4 victory. Kerry took a 4-11 to 1-1 lead in at half time, and the shell shocked Tipperary outfit had no answer to Kerry’s pace and power. Kerry had 8 different scorers on that occasion, a fact that is bound to have pleased their manager Rory Kilgallen.

Next up for the Kingdom girls was a home tie at John Mitchels complex against Cork. Once again Kerry were irresistible and romped to a 5-14 to 1-6 victory.

Tipperary had a very mixed Munster campaign. After the initial loss to Kerry they also suffered a hiding at the hands of Cork when they went down on a 3-14 to 1-5 scoreline. This meant that Tipperary had to meet Cork again to have a shot at the Munster final, and they upset all of the odds as they recorded a 3-6 to 1-8 victory. Centre half forward Ava Fennessy was on fire that day and slotted over 7 points. She will have to be watched but Tipperary also had excellent performances from Caitlinn Kennedy, Queva O’Meara, Leah Cohen, Ashling Ryan and Maeve McGuigan.

Kerry have plenty quality in their ranks as well, but they will have to be wary of the Tipperary challenge. Players like goalkeeper Ciara Butler,Rachel O’Connor, Maud Kelly, Aoife Dillane, Gemma Kearney, Rachel Dwyer,Ava Doherty, Mary O’Connell,Aisling O’Connell, Danielle O’Leary, Siofra O’Shea, Clodagh Evans,Mary O’Connor, Ella Teahan and Rachel Kilgallen have been performing very well for their side, but in fairness there is quality all through this Kerry squad.

The team will line out as follows;

1. Ciara Butler (Castlegregory)
2. Maud Kelly (Fossa)
3. Rachel O Connor (Corca Dhuibhne)
4. Ava Doherty (Glenflesk)
5. Gemma Kearney (Castleisland Desmonds)
6. Rachel Dwyer (Southern Gaels) Captain.
7. Aoife Dillane (Austin Stacks)
8. Mary O Connell ( Na Gaeil)
9. Aisling O Connell ( Ballymac)
10. Rachel Kilgallen ( John Mitchels)
11. Danielle O Leary (Rathmore)
12. Ella Teehan(Miltown/Listry)
13. Clodagh Evans (Miltown Listry)
14. Siofra O Shea (Southern Gaels )
15. Mary Collins ( Rathmore )
16. Claire Feeley (laune Rangers)
17. Rachel Evans (Laune Rangers )
18.Ciara Mc Carthy (Abbeydorney)
19.Chloe O Connor (Firies)
20.Tara Murphy (Killarney Legion)
21.Ciara Fitzgerald (Currow)
22. Aoife Flaherty (Finuge/St Senans)
23.Fodhla Houlihan ( Laune Rangers)
24.Kerrie Ann Hanrahan (Killarney Legion)
25.Cliona Murphy( Southern Gaels)
26.Susan Cahill (Rathmore)
27.Maggie Kingston(Beaufort)
28. Andrea Nolan (Laune Rangers)
29. Elaine O Donoghue (Firies)
30. Roisin Griffin (Cromane)
Team Manager: Rory Kilgallen Selectors : Frank Mc Loughlin , Christina
Murphy, Daniel Fleming,Mick Hannafin,Joby Costello,Frances Bowler.
Physio : Lorraine Wall
Extended Panel:Paris Mc Carthy,Ellie Mc Elligott ,Lauren O Leary,Lisa Ni
Gearailt,Aoilbhe Mangan,Mairead Ni Chriobhain,Orla Dunphy,Maggie West.

May 4, 2018May 4, 2018

Sean Walsh Elected As Kerry LGFA Chairman.

The Kerry Ladies GFA held their May County Board meeting at the Kerins O’Rahillys clubhouse on Thursday night and the big news to emerge was the election of Sean Walsh of Moyvane to the role of Chairperson.

Walsh who is the former Chairman of Kerry GAA and Munster was proposed by Kieran Savage of the Ballymacelligott club and was seconded by Dave Randles of Killarney Legion. Mr Walsh’s election was met by a unanimous show of hands by all of the delegates present.

In his opening Chairperson’s address Mr Walsh said that he wasn’t there to take over Kerry LGFA but instead he would help to put the structures in place that his experience had taught him. Mr Walsh was a member of the Kerry GAA executive for 30 years and served as Chairman for 10 of those.

Walsh also stated that it was important that the County Board was not just about the people in the executive positions, but instead it was about ordinary club members who must do their bit to help out. He said that there was a massive amount of work being done by people in the background, but an awful lot more must be done for it to be truly successful.

A number of measures the he proposed were the broadening of the fixtures committee so that the work load could be shared. He also felt that a communications committee needed to be put in place with a geographical spread of people in the county involved that could help. Mr Walsh also felt that a new finance committee needed to be formed as well as a defined development and coaching structure.

Mr Walsh finished by saying that he hoped that he would receive the support of the people around the county and that he would give his new role his best shot.

Meanwhile Donal Rahilly of Ballymacelligott moved from Assistant Secretary to the Secretary position, Debbie Hannon of Beale was elected to the Assistant Secretary position, Tomas O Hainifin of Abbeydorney was elected as Cultural Officer and Dan Kearney of Castleisland Desmonds was elected as PRO.

New County Secretary Donal Rahilly said that he was looking forward to working with Sean Walsh. He said that Mr Walsh had already left a big impression on him with his ideas and ambitions for Kerry LGFA. Donal Rahilly also complimented clubs for the efficient running of their league games so far, and encouraged clubs to send in officers to the Club Officer training night to be held on the 15th May in ISK.He also said that 2019 would be a very exciting year for Kerry LGFA with the National Congress due to be held in the county.

Finally Mr Rahilly congratulated the Kerry U/14’s for reaching the Munster Final, and he also wished the Kerry U/16’s and Kerry minors the best of luck in their Munster finals this weekend.

Kerry LGFA executive;

Chairperson Sean Walsh Moyvane

Vice Chairperson Christena Curtin Kerins O’Rahillys

Secretary Donal Rahilly Ballymacelligott

Asst Secretary Debbie Hannon Beale

Treasurer Anthony Curran Ballymacelligott

Asst Treasurer Nora Fealey Laune Rangers

Development Officer Donal Doherty Spa

Registrar Joe O Flaherty Finuge/St Senans

Fixtures Secretary Selina Looney Killarney Legion

Child Protection Officer Debbie Hannon Beale

Language and Cultural Officer Tomas O Hainifin Abbeydorney

PRO Dan Kearney Castleisland Desmonds

The Kerry LGFA U/16 team will play Cork in the Munster A Final on Saturday 5th May in Mallow at 4.45 pm

The Kerry Minor LGFA team will play Cork in the Munster A final on Bank Holiday Monday 7th May in Mallow at 3.30pm.

May 3, 2018

Kerry U/14’s Secure Their Place In Munster A Final.

The Kerry U/14’s have qualified for the Munster A final after a superb victory over Tipperary yesterday evening. Read the match report below and also a message from team manager John Doona…
Munster U14 A Championship replay

Kerry 7-05 Tipperary 3-09

Kerry U/14’s are through to the Munster A final after a hard fought and deserved victory over Tipperary in Mallow last Wednesday evening. Kerry had won the original fixture between the sides but had to play the tie again after Tipperary lodged an objection following a technical issue in the original fixture.The Kerry management and players certainly felt aggrieved with this decision, and went about their business in determined fashion from the very first whistle.

Kerry played against the breeze in the first half on a perfect pitch as the evening sun began to set. They got off to an excellent start in the game and points from Ellie O Connell and Aisling Hanafin, plus goals from Finola Ni Chathasaigh (2), Amy Harrington and Clodagh Murray had the Kingdom 3-02 to no score up after just eight minutes. Tipperary settled down and scored 1-03 through the very dangerous Kate Flannery.

Tipperary were right back in the game and Kerry needed a reply. It came when Clodagh Murray finished off an excellent team move to goal once more.Tipperary didn’t lie down though, and they had the last 3 points of the half to make it Kerry 5-02 Tipperary 1-06 at the small whistle. The only down side of a great first half was an injury picked up by Murray which forced her off.

Tipperary started the second half much better and had 1-02 on the board quickly. Kerry replied with a goal from captain Amy Harrington. Tipperary began to take control of matters however, and they goaled once again to put just 3 points between the teams to set up a very tense finish. However Kerry showed great fighting spirit and superior fitness to close out the game with points from Melanie Higgins and the impressive Harrington (2). The final score came when a Higgins free found the back of the Tipperary net.

The final whistle sounded soon afterwards, and the large and vocal Kerry supporters rejoiced as their excellent team were safely through to the Munster Final where old rivals Cork await.

Well done to the girls and management team.
John Doona;
What a fabulous effort by our girls tonight leaving everything on the pitch from 1/30 this squad showed character after weeks of uncertainty they put on a marvelous show of Kerry football and character beyond their years and even in victory they showed modesty to a great Tipp team this is what we teach our girls we have high standards and we as mentors wish to thank our ladies and parents for standing with us in a few tough weeks no matter what is said or reported these girls have come through with flying colors

April 18, 2018

Kerry Schools Prepare For PPS Junior Finals.

As the young footballers of Intermediate School Killorglin and St Brigids Killarney prepare for their All Ireland Finals we preview the big games ahead for both sides.

All Ireland PPS Junior A Final

IS Killorglin v Loreto Cavan, Banagher Friday 20th April at 1pm.

All roads lead to Banagher County Offaly next Friday when Intermediate School Killorglin hope to bring back the Junior A All Ireland title. Standing in their way are the Ulster champions Loreto Cavan , and they are sure to provide a stern test for the Killorglin girls, in what could prove to be a classic final.

ISK come into the game on the back of a very impressive Munster campaign in which they racked up 20 goals and 44 points in a series of hammerings dished out to Loreto Fermoy, Christ the King Cork and John the Baptist of Limerick. The Munster final was a much tighter affair but ISK eventually accounted for Loreto Clonmel on a 2-14 to 3-8 scoreline after extra time. ISK were thankful to goals from Rachel Evans and Cora Joy that day, whilst Roisin Griffin was in superb point scoring form from play and frees. Next up was Loreto Navan of Meath and ISK stormed to a 3-13 to 3-7 victory.

ISK’s opponents Loreto Cavan are a formidable outfit in their own right. They are no slouches on the scoring front either and have amassed 16 goals and 41 points in their 3 Ulster championship games. They also accounted for Presentation Tuam of Galway on a 6-9 to 4-5 scoreline in the All Ireland semi final. Their senior team recently won the All Ireland A title as well and a number of the players that started that game will line out next Friday for the Junior team. The very dangerous Ally Cahill is a player that will have to be watched while Ashling Walls, Lorna O’Reilly, Aoife Crowe and Olivia Murphy are players that could open up the ISK defence if allowed.

There is serious quality in the ISK side as well though and most of their starting 15 have worn the Kerry jersey at underage level. Players like Claire Fealy in goals, Andrea Nolan, Kayleigh McGlashen,Orla Dunphy and Beithinn Brosnan are excellent performers in defence. Rachel Evans and Ailbhe Clifford form a formidable midfield , while in attack ISK will be looking to players like Roisin Griffin, Cora Joy, Fodhla Houlihan and Mairin Duffy to get the scores.

ISK’s management team of Anna Maria O’ Donoghue, Darragh O’Regan, Dave Stanton and James Doyle have done great work in preparing the team and will be quietly confident of lowering the Cavan sides colours on Friday. It will be a tough task, but with the quality that is in their side they are well capable of bringing the All Ireland title back to Killorglin.

All Ireland PPS Junior B Final

St Brigids Killarney v Colaiste Bhaile Chlair (Galway), Rathkeale,Saturday 21st April at 1 pm.

St Brigids Killarney are the second Kerry school in action this weekend when they face Colaiste Bhaile Chlair of Galway in the All Ireland PPS B final on Saturday. St Brigids had a relatively easy campaign in Munster and ran up a massive 18 goals and 46 points in their victories over Colaiste na Sceilge, Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, St. Mary’s Mallow, and St Flannan’s of Clare. The Munster final was an all Kerry affair with St Brigid’s triumphing over Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luchra Rathmore on a 6-9 to 2-8 scoreline, whilst it was a much tighter affair in the All Ireland semi final where they had a single point to spare in a 1-7 to 1-6 win over Eureka Secondary School Kells.

Like ISK, St Brigids have a number of players with intercounty experience in their side with Tara Murphy, Ava Doherty, Chloe O’Connor, Jade Potts, Ciara Randles and Anna Clifford all top performers. They will have able back up in the likes of Isabelle Murphy, Meghan Brosnan and Mairead Bennett. In fairness there is quality all through the Killarney side and with Anna Clifford on song it is difficult to see them being beaten.

Colaiste Bhaile Chlair is a relatively new school in Claregalway as it was only opened in 2013, but they have made rapid strides in ladies football in the last few years. Last Saturday they claimed the All Ireland PPS senior C All Ireland title at the first time of asking and will have some of those girls in their ranks for Saturday. After an easy route through the Connacht championship, Colaiste Bhaile Chlair had a ding dong tussle against St Catherines College Armagh in the All Ireland semi final before eventually pulling through on a 4-11 to 4-9 scoreline. They have notable players in Kiera Kearney, Kate Slevin, Shauna Brennan, Aiva Murray,Elaine Mitchell, Laura Flynn, and Shannon Connelly and are sure to test the mettle of the Killarney girls. Colaiste Bhaile Chlair are managed by Galway senior footballer Fabienne Cooney.

St Brigids are managed by Adrienne Brosnan and Paudie Breen and they are certain to have their girls well prepared for the battle ahead.It promises to be an epic battle, but St Brigids should have the quality to pull through in the finish.