News
St Brendan’s bid for the Hogan Cup
By Eamonn FitzgeraldIt is a big day for St Brendan’s College tomorrow (Thursday) as they will contest the Hogan Cup final v Naas CBS at Croke Park.
We wish all the players, management team and the parents/supporters the best of luck in this eagerly awaited decider.On the way to the final Naas CBS have been the form team, especially in the recent All-Ireland semi-final where they trounced St Jarlath’s, Tuam, the leading college in Hogan Cup victories.Jarlath’s have been by far the most successful team - winning the Hogan Cup on 12 occasions. Strangely enough Kerry colleges have fared poorly overall since the Cup was introduced in 1946. It is named after Brother Thomas Hogan, not the man who gave his name to the Hogan Stand. That was Michael Hogan and you guessed it, Thomas and Michael were brothers.The Sem won the cup on four occasions, the first in 1969 and later in 1992, 2016 and in 2017.Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Daingean Uí Chúis won in 2014 and again in 2015. Intermediate School Killorglin won their only title in 1996 as did Coláiste na Sceilge (2009).The 2019 winners were St Michael’s College, Enniskillen and the competition was deferred since then due to COVID restrictions.
St Brendan’s are very keen to lift the trophy for 2022. Going back two years they were Munster champions in the Frewen Cup U16 and a half and were due to play St Pat’s, Navan in the All-Ireland semi-final. TV pundit Colm O’Rourke is principal of that school. Cían McMahon was captain of that Frewen team, so he will be hell bent on lifting the Hogan Cup on the Hogan Stand on St Patrick’s Day.
It is really almost the same cohort of players who are now bidding for glory. The only one of the starting 15 eligible for the Kerry minors this year is full forward Alex Hennigan.
Great battlers
Brendan’s have battled very bravely to reach this final. They were pushed to the limit in most games including that late winner especially against Coláiste na Sceilge. They had to dig deep in the semi-final against St Mary’s Magherafelt, Derry.
The sides were level going into time added on. Who would blink, not so the Sem who drove on with two late glorious points and a deserved passage to the final.
Injuries
Luke Crowley has been in and out of the team with a back injury during this campaign. He came on at the three-quarter stage in Mayo and kicked two valuable points.
He is a former Kerry minor in hurling and in football and is a current member of Declan O’Sullivan’s Kerry U20 squad. Team management and supporters will be hoping that all players will be available and fit to start including the versatile Glenflesk man Luke Crowley.
How good are Naas CBS?
I enquired from a friend in Naas very close to the Sem’s opponents. “Naas are very strong, especially down the middle. They just edged out Maynooth by one point in the Leinster final. They have never won the Hogan Cup and were runners up last time out.”
I presume the CBS has a high student enrolment considering the population of Naas, effectively a satellite town of the over populated Dublin.
“They have in the region of 1,000 students (The Sem have up to 800) and what’s more they have head-hunted good players from Eadestown, Straffan, Rajendra, Sallins and Two Mile House, all well outside their catchment area.”
St Flannan’s College, Ennis know all about that strategy. They lead the way with 21 Harty Cup hurling titles strengthened by young good hurlers from neighbouring Tipperary, Limerick and Galway.
It will be a titanic battle for the Sem to bridge that gap since their last Hogan Cup victory in 2017 pitted against a Naas CBS side bidding for their first ever such title. However, spurred on by the pandemic hiatus and their never say die spirit, particularly in the closing stages with the outcome on the balance, this Brendan’s team will battle to the end. Hopefully, they will produce the goods on the day. Good luck.
News
Start clocking up those ‘Kingdom Kilometres’
With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways. The recently opened […]
With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways.
The recently opened Kingdom of Kerry Greenways between Tralee and Fenit and between Listowel and Abbeyfeale are already proving hugely popular with locals and visitors to Kerry.
Representatives of the tourism Industry, local public representatives, travel writers and influencers gathered in Kerry on Monday to experience the exciting new tourist attractions and welcome the arrival of the longer daylight hours as the clocks changed over to summertime.
Sarah Hanrahan, a social media influencer who posts about Irish travel and has more than 100,000 Instagram followers, described the experience.
“Ireland has some of the most amazing outdoor spaces. For a lot of my followers and other people, connecting with green spaces has become much more important to their overall sense of well-being as well as their health and fitness. It’s been really gorgeous to experience the Tralee to Fenit, and Listowel to Limerick Kingdom of Kerry Greenways; a fantastic trip sampling the warm hospitality of Kerry and a great reminder of the active holiday options that are right on our doorstep.”
The new purpose-built trails provide an accessible and inclusive experience for visitors of all abilities.
Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy and the Mayor of Listowel, Cllr Aoife Thornton, said that the greenways offer an exceptional recreational amenity for everyone to enjoy.
“The greenways are situated in some of Kerry’s most scenic landscapes and offer spectacular and safe off-road facilities for people of all ages to enjoy as the landscape comes into bloom. They also offer warm hospitality at the trail head towns of each route.”
Visit www.kerrygreenways.ie to find out more.
News
St Patrick’s Day parade winners announced
Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club has won the sought-after overall award in recognition of their colourful and action-packed entry to this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Killarney. Delighted […]
Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club has won the sought-after overall award in recognition of their colourful and action-packed entry to this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Killarney.
Delighted club representatives were presented with the Seán O’Keeffe Perpetual Trophy – in memory of the former Mayor of Killarney and parade stalwart – at a gala presentation of prizes in the International Hotel, Killarney on Tuesday night.
The award for the Best Interpretation of the Theme, which was Killarney: Experience More, went to the Wander Wild Festival who received the Michael Courtney Perpetual Trophy which is dedicated to the memory of another former mayor of the town who spearheaded the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations for many years.
The John ‘Killer’ O’Callaghan Perpetual Trophy for the Best Sporting Entry was won by Killarney Athletic AFC and the Peter Irwin Memorial Trophy for the Best Marching Group and Cultural/Arts Entry went to Millstreet Pipe Band.
The Best Sports Club was Spa GAA, the Best Children’s Group prize was won by Kilcummin Comhaltas and the Best New Entry was Killarney Rugby Football Club.
There was an international flavour to the Best Musical Entry which was scooped by the Glenridge High School Marching Band from New Jersey.
The prize for the Best Voluntary Group went to the Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club, the Best School Award went to the Fiona Crowley Stage School and the Best Activity Group was deemed to be Scorchers Cheerleading Club.
The Most Entertaining Entry went to the Killarney Tidy Towns group, the prize for the Most Original Entry was won by Liebherr Container Cranes and the Most Imaginative Entry in the parade was the Art House, Killarney.
The Most Stylish Entry prize was awarded to the Ukrainian community whose representative said they were delighted to play a part in Ireland’s national holiday and thanked the people of Killarney for the warm welcome they have received.
Other prizes presented on the night included the Best Window Display which went to Christy Healy’s on New Street who were celebrating 100 years in business on St Patrick’s Day, while the Europe Hotel and Resort won the Best Green-Themed Building prize.
The judges for the parade were Br Pat Lynch, Guardian, Franciscan Friary, Pam Brosnan, Killarney Musical Society and Denis McMahon.
The awards were presented by Killarney St Patrick’s Festival Chairman Paul Sherry, Mayor of Killarney Cllr Niall Kelleher, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Senior Executive Bridget O’Keeffe, and parade grand marshal Cathal P Walshe.
Start clocking up those ‘Kingdom Kilometres’
With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by...
St Patrick’s Day parade winners announced
Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club has won the sought-after overall award in recognition of their colourful and action-packed entry...
Liebherr story officially launched
‘The Liebherr Story’ was officially launched at the Europe Hotel & Resort, attracting a crowd of over 250 attendees. The...
Killarney goes wild for adventure
Last weekend’s Wander Wild Festival was a huge success with double the amount of event bookings on last year. The...
‘Know it alls’ wanted for fun quiz night
Are you a “wise guy” or a “know it all” – if so, you will be able to test your...
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