Kerry News and Notes 13.07.2015

Congratulations to Kerry ladies who with a complete display from the first whistle to the final whistle annexed the Dairygold Munster Ladies Senior cup on Saturday. They defeated Cork on a scoreline of Cork 2-04 Kerry 2-13. Kerry went 3 points in the opening minutes with superb long range point taking from Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh  & Sarah Houlihan. Valerie Mulcahy got Cork on the scoreboard after 7  mins with a point from a free. Kerry were then unfortunate as Cork scored a goal from a deflection off a Kerry defender. However rather than panic Kerry again took the game to Cork & tacked on further scores through Louise, Sarah, Bernie Breen, Patrice Dennehy & Megan O’Connell.  Kerry were well in the ascendency approaching half time, but a turnover of possession lead to Cork speeding down to the Kerry goal’s with Annie Walsh getting Cork a goal they needed to keep them in touch of Kerry. Half time score Kerry 0-10 Cork 2-02. Kerry were now facing into a strong breeze for the second half but that did not deter them as they again started brightly with Louise starting the first attack which unfortunately dropped wide. But just 5 mins into second half Megan O’Connell was at the end of a great ball into the area & rattled the Cork net, to put 5 again between the teams.  Despite Cork having a strong wind to aid them, they hit some wides while the Kerry forwards were economical. Geraldine O’Flynn got Cork on the scoreboard after 15 mins in the second half.  Kerry’s response was swift as the kick out was won & moved quickly up front to Louise  who took on her player & Martina O’Brien the Cork keeper was unable to stop the accurate powerful shot to the Kerry net.  With just over 10 mins left from play Kerry introduced fresh legs with Cassandra Buckley, Laura Rogers & Amanda Brosnan coming in. Cork managed a second point from Valerie Mulcahy but Kerry had the last 2 scores of the game from Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh & Sarah Houlihan. Final score Cork 2-04 Kerry 2-13. It was a complete team performance with the Kerry defence resolute in their defending, keeping fouls & free taking opportunities to a  minimum, while midfield held the middle & stopped the Cork runs through the centre. While up front the forwards were well able to take their scores, especially from distance which was the difference between the teams. Cait Lynch Captain played a captain’s part driving forward & mopping up loose ball, while up front Louise & Sarah were a thorn in the Cork defence.  Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh was awarded Player of the Match. Alan O’Neill Manager, was happy with the performance but said there is a long road yet ahead with good teams in the qualifiers but that they will enjoy this.

Team: Edel Murphy (Laune Rangers), Gina Crowley ( Inbhear Sceine Gaels ), Aislinn Desmond (Rathmore ), – Aisling Leonard (Castleisland Desmonds ), Marie Quirke ( Na Gaeil ), Cait Lynch Capt (Castleisland Desmonds ), Bernie Breen (Laune Rangers ), Emma Sherwood  (Firies ), Sarah Houlihan ( Laune Rangers ), Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh (Corca Dhuibhne ), Denise Hallissey (Inbhear Sceine Gaels ), Patrice Dennehy (Laune Rangers) , Lorraine Scanlon (Castleisland Desmonds) , Megan O’Connell (Southern Gaels). Subs Introduced: Amanda Brosnan (Dr Crokes ), Cassandra Buckley ( Spa ), Laura Rogers (Austin Stacks) Panel: Laura Fitzgerald (Na Gaeil) Eilish O Connor (Na Gaeil) Brid O Connor  (Na Gaeil) Aisling O Connell (Scartaglen) Bernie Cronin (Southern Gaels)  Andrea Murphy (Castleisland Desmonds) Linda Cronin (Southern Gaels) Deirdre Kearney (Na Gaeil) Laura Collins ( Abbeydorney) Rheanne O Shea (Dr.Crokes) Eilish Lynch( Castleisland Desmonds) Ayesha Roche (Na Gaeil)
After the excitement of last week’s Munster Final in Mallow, players now face into club championship action with finals & semi finals taking place in the Randles Bros Nissan Championship.  In the Randles Bros Nissan Senior Club Championship final, Laune Rangers face Southern Gaels  Friday 17th, 7.30 in Glenbeigh. Laune Rangers defeated Inbhear Sceine Gaels well in their semi final, while Southern Gaels had a tough opening game against Castleisland Desmonds which went to extra time, while in their second game they overcame Scartaglen comfortably. A good game is in store with both teams peppered with inter county stars. But just think that the South Kerry side could shade with the experience of the tough game against Desmonds helping them.  In the Randles Bros Nissan Junior A Championship Abbeydorney are home to Corca Dhuibhne on Thurs 7.30 in the semi final. This will be a tough game for the home side with Corca Dhuibhne featuring county stars Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh & Eilish Kavanagh.  Abbeydorney will have the experience of the tough opening game against John Mitchels but the West Kerry side will be favourites. In the other semi final it is the battle of the towns & the Black & Amber as Austin Stacks travel to Killarney to face Dr Crokes on Sunday 2pm. The home side had a good win in the opening game against Kilcummin. Stacks had a poor league campaign but were without some players including county star Laura Rogers so expect a much different side in this clash. But still expect the home side to shade it.  In Junior B semi finals Spa are home to North Kerry side Causeway on Wednesday 7.30pm.  The East Kerry side defeated North Kerry opposition in the earlier rounds in the form of Finuge/St Senans after extra time. However Causeway will go into this with their eyes wide open & will know what they have to offer. Causeway had a good league campaign, where they lost the Div 2 final just by a point. However with many players having dual commitments with Kerry camogie team it maybe a challenge for them. Very close to call. Clounmacon/Moyvane are home to Firies Sunday 2pm. The away side didn’t feature in the league as they only regrouped a few months back. But they have worked very hard since then & with Emma Sherwood operating in mid field for them it gives them an extra edge. The home side performed very well in the league but will be disappointed in how the league final went for them.  This is also too close to call, meaning we could have any combination making their way through to the Randles Bros Nissan Junior B Final.  In the Junior C semi finals Currow are home to Fossa while Glenflesk are home to Dingle both Sunday 2pm. In the first game Fossa are very young team but have many players that have come through underage ranks in Kerry, while Currow have experience behind them. Glenflesk are also a very young team but are building, Dingle on their day are a super team however consistency on team line up & players available is their Achilles heel. Still expect them to come through but 50/50 on the other tie, but shading Currow on it.

Congratulations to Abbeydorney who won the Glebe Kitchens Div 2 title on Thursday defeating Killarney Legion. Abbeydorney were strong across  all lines of the pitch but Kerri Ann Hanrahan & Eve Crowley of Legion battled hard & for long times Abbeydorney found it difficult to get to grips with the game. Abbeydorney lead at half time by 5 points, but in the second half they powered through to win. Joint Captains Eve Roche Hussey & Rebecca Falvey accepted the title from Mary Courtney of Glebe Kitchens.  The Division 1 tie of the Glebe Kitchens U12 will also feature a Black/Amber North Kerry side as Listowel Emmets face Southern Gaels on Thurs 16th time & venue TBC. Both sides play great fast football despite their young years so an interesting game is in store.