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Scotts Lakers to face Fr Mathews again this weekend

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IN NATIONAL League Basketball Division One, Scotts Lakers St Paul's Killarney will face Fr Mathews of Cork again this weekend in the quarterfinal of the President's National Cup in Coláiste Chríost Ri, Cork, on Sunday, December 3, at 3pm. Fr Mathews will be firm favourites after last week and home advantage is another boost to them.

Scotts Lakers will probably be without Padraig Lucey again for this one but they are still more than capable of matching up well against Mathews and getting the desired result.

It was a disappointing weekend for Scotts Lakers suffering a double defeat at home to Fr Mathews (Scotts Lakers St Paul’s Killarney 56, Fr Mathews Cork 67) and away to Paris Texas Kilkenny (Paris Texas Kilkenny 86, Scotts Lakers St Paul's Killarney 72). Like many of their outings so far this season, these were two more games that the Killarney side were more than capable of winning but they struggled to reproduce the great performance that they produced in last week's thrilling overtime win against Ulster Elks.

The Lakers were slightly under strength in both outings with the influential Padraig Lucey ruled out through injury while point guard Mihail Kapitanov picked up an injury on Saturday night and sat out Sunday's encounter.

It was a low-scoring drab encounter against Fr Mathews in Killarney Sports Centre on Saturday night where Lakers held the upper hand in the first half but a third quarter collapse contributed to their downfall and effectively handed the advantage to the Cork side. Just one basket from play and three free throws was the sum total the Lakers scored in this miserable third quarter and returns like that just aren't good enough to compete at this level.

Scotts Lakers started well and with Andrew Fitzgerald and Antuan Bootle leading the way, the home side were 15-13 in front at the end of the third quarter. A big three-pointer from Mark Greene kept them in front and the energetic Justin Tuason was outstanding at the end of the half to push Scotts Lakers 29-25 ahead at the break.

However the third quarter belonged to Fr Mathews with Paul O'Driscoll finding his form as they hit ten points without reply and the Cork side led 35-29 with four minutes left. Amazingly Lakers had yet to register a score at this stage in the third quarter. Two free throws from Bootle opened their account with 3.43 left in the quarter and it was over seven minutes of playing time before Andrew Fitzgerald netted the home side's first basket from play. Fr Mathews dominated under the boards and outscored Lakers 17-5 in this period to lead 42-34 as the game entered the final quarter.

Following Saturday night's defeat, Scotts Lakers were on the road early on Sunday morning for a lunchtime tip-off against Paris Texas Kilkenny. Still feeling the effects from the night before, the Lakers struggled to find their range early on and the home side led 29-9 at the end of the first quarter.
Scotts Lakers stepped it up in the second quarter but still trailed 44-35 at the interval break.
 


 
Above: Andrew Fitzgerald, Scotts Lakers, in action against Marcus Thomas and Barry Denieffe, Fr Mathews, in Killarney Sports Centre on Saturday night.
Pic: Eamonn Keogh

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New, smash-hit comedy play by Killarney Theatre Company

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A new comedy play by Glengariff playwright Ray O’Sullivan will come to Killarney next month as part of a regional tour.

Robbed! will be staged at the Gleneagle Club on Saturday, February 7, at 8.30pm, presented by the Killarney Theatre Company.

The production is the group’s fifth in a popular series of homegrown plays and follows the success of The Rise and Rise of the Healy-Raes, A Papal Blessing, Weight Watching and Stones.

The play centres on a failed GAA player who finds himself caught in a series of misunderstandings involving relationships, bingo balls and a robbery that quickly spirals out of control.

As events unfold, nothing goes to plan and the situation descends into chaos.

Rehearsals have been ongoing since October and the cast includes Ray O’Sullivan himself alongside Rosie Healy and DB O’Connor. Robbed! is O’Sullivan’s fifth full-length play and is expected to attract strong audiences across the tour.

Tickets cost €15 and are available from Ray O’Sullivan on 087 2279657 or from the Gleneagle on 064 667155.


The tour begins in Scartaglen Hertiage Centre on January 17, The Ivy Leaf Theatre Castleisland, on January 29, The Glen Theatre Banteer on January 31, Foilmore Community Centre Sunday February 1, Killorglin CYMS, February 5, Abbeydorney Community Centre February 12 and Bantry Westlodge Hotel February 21.

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Kerry FC take unusual step with Killarney friendly

By Luke Managan Kerry FC took the unusual step of playing a pre-season friendly in Killarney during the week as they faced local club Killarney Celtic in a match organised […]

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By Luke Managan

Kerry FC took the unusual step of playing a pre-season friendly in Killarney during the week as they faced local club Killarney Celtic in a match organised to raise funds for Palliative Care.

It marked a rare appearance in the town for the county’s League of Ireland side and drew strong local interest.
Kerry started brightly and were ahead within the opening minutes, setting the tone for an open and competitive contest. Their early pressure was rewarded again in the 21st minute when Ballyduff native Sean McGrath doubled the lead. The game was played at a high tempo, with both sides creating chances and enjoying spells of possession.
Luke Doolan was central to Kerry’s play throughout the first half, linking defence and attack and providing energy in midfield. Kerry continued to threaten down both flanks, while Killarney Celtic responded with a series of corners and set pieces, delivered with pace into the penalty area.
Celtic reduced the deficit in the 25th minute with a well-taken free kick from just outside the box, bringing the score back to 2–1 and lifting the home support. Kerry responded in the 36th minute with a powerful strike to restore their two-goal advantage, but Celtic continued to press and were rewarded again shortly after. Debutant goalkeeper Harry Halwax produced an excellent save, with the ball coming back off the crossbar, but the rebound was turned in to make it 3–2.
Kerry looked unsettled for a brief spell as Celtic pushed forward, but just before half-time Doolan struck again with a composed finish to give Kerry a 4–2 lead at the break.
The second half saw Kerry take greater control of the game, keeping possession well and limiting Celtic to crosses from wide areas. While the home side increased their physical approach, the match remained free of disciplinary issues. Kerry made several changes in the 78th minute, including the introduction of Daniel Okwute, who impressed last season.
Halwax was forced off through injury and replaced by Killorglin native Darragh Foley, who settled quickly. Kerry added a fifth goal late on to seal a 5–2 win, though Killarney Celtic continued to compete until the final whistle.
After the match, both Okwute and Foley spoke positively about the season ahead, expressing confidence in the squad and belief that Kerry FC can challenge any opponent.

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