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Fleming’s underdogs move one step closer to ultimate prize

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by Eamonn Fitzgerald

The result of last weekend must surely be Utility Trust St Paul’s surprise Women’s Super League semi-final win over the highly rated Trinity Meteors of Dublin. It was a hectic finish as they clawed back a seven-point deficit in the closing stages. So far, so good in the top grade, having won promotion after last year's great success.

Having also tamed The Cats, Wild and as they were, Paul’s coach James Fleming believes in his squad and says that if they can repeat that performance, they will be a match for any team in the country.

I spoke with James and asked how they managed to down the mighty Meteors.

“We made the most of it and shocked SETU Waterford Wildcats,” Fleming says, “so then we kicked on. We met Trinity Meteors three times this year, losing by four points, then one point, and then won by five. It was nip and tuck in the quarters. We were three down, up one at half-time, two down in the third quarter and then they went seven up.

"However, our women were magnificent in clawing back that deficit. We got our just reward for a never-say-die mentality when Rheanne O'Shea delivered a great three-pointer, and then young Leah McMahon, whose defensive play throughout against Meteors big star was a revelation, capped a great performance with that thrilling late three-pointer.”

Fleming was as modest as ever about his own achievements, both as a player and as a coach. He captained Dr Crokes to win the Kerry SFC and won eight county medals with the club. That is some haul, and he didn't even mention it. Since his days as an under 16, he has won nine national basketball titles as a player or coach, five with St Paul’s and four with St Mathews. No wonder he is so sought after as a top-class coach as he bids to make it 10.

So, how has he been so successful in different sports?

“Yerra sure sport was all around me here in Lewis Road with the likes of Johnny Culloty and Paudie O’Connor, both neighbours and legends in sport. Sadly, both have now passed on. I was near St Mary’s Parish Hall, the Fitzgerald Stadium, Dr Crokes and Deerpark Pitch and Putt.”

Stop there. Some months ago, his brother Damien was profiled in the Killarney Advertiser, himself a national champion and winner of so many top awards in pitch and putt. The pedigree is there in his own home. Their father, Tadhgie, won a Kerry Senior Hurling Championship with Killarney in 1969 and a bagful of O’Donoghue Cup medals with Dr Crokes.

Briseann an dúchas amach.

The Super League final versus Killester will be played on Sunday, April 13.

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Ballymac Vintage Club raises over €7k for local charities

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Ballymac Vintage Club raises over €7k for local charities


The Ballymac Vintage Club raised over €7,000 for two worthy causes following the 16th running of its annual Classic Car and Honda 50 Run over the bank holiday weekend.


Despite a wet start to Sunday morning, more than 100 registered vehicles turned out at Ó Riada’s Bar and Restaurant. Entrants brought a diverse selection of classic cars, vans, and campers, including several vehicles making their first appearance at a Kerry vintage event.
The day began with a Cars and Coffee gathering, allowing participants and spectators to catch up, inspect the vehicles, and enjoy light refreshments.
Proceeds from the event and Saturday’s street collection in Castleisland will support two local causes: St John of God Oileán Beo Castleisland, which provides services for adults with intellectual disabilities, and the Kerry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, which supports sick and infirm pilgrims alongside volunteers and medical staff.
A range of spot prizes were awarded throughout the morning, with organisers extending sincere thanks to local donors and main sponsors BG Motors Killarney, Brownes Agri Steel Castleisland, and Ó Riada’s Bar and Restaurant.
The run departed Ballymacelligott shortly after 11am, travelling back roads through Castleisland before making a short stop in Brosna. Drivers then completed the final leg to Knocknagoshel, where refreshments were served by the Knocknagoshel Meals on Wheels team.

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Dromhall team takes top spot at Crokes Golf Classic

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The annual Dr Crokes GAA Club Golf Classic proved to be another major success last weekend, drawing 64 teams to Killarney’s Mahony’s Point course over two days of competition.


The Dromhall Hotel team of John Brosnan, Mike Dwyer, Shane Kelly, and Ger O’Meara took first place. Second place went to the O’Carroll Engineering team of Anthony O’Mahony, John O’Driscoll, Derek McAllister, and Michael O’Sullivan.
Third place went to the Quills team (Vincent Casey, Colm O’Brien, Evy O’Brien, and Donie Buckley), while Diarmuid O’Carroll Electrical (Mark O’Carroll, Brian McCarthy, Ben Kelliher, and Luke O’Shea) finished fourth.
Rounding out the top positions were Fexco in fifth (Andrew McCarthy, Ivo O’Sullivan, Ross Brosnan, and Niall O’Shea), Money Maximising Advisors in sixth (John Lenihan, Michael Lenihan, Des McCarthy, and Peter Bellew), and The Gleneagle Hotel in seventh (Patrick O’Donoghue, Mike McAuliffe, Margaret Gill, and T Buckley).
Raffle prize winners on the night were David Cotter (1st), Eugene Browne (2nd), Donal Brosnan (3rd), and Colm Murphy (4th).
The prize presentation took place at Charlie Foley’s Bar on Friday night, with sponsor Colm Foley handing over the honours. Dr Crokes expressed thanks to all who entered teams, sponsored tee boxes, and donated prizes, as well as Colin Finlay and the team at Killarney Golf Club for the superb condition of the course.

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