by Adam Moynihan and Eamonn Fitzgerald

They might be new to the scene but Spa are really shaking things up at the highest level of Kerry football.

It took the Tullig-based club a decade to regain their senior status and their performances since re-emerging on the main stage in 2021 have been remarakble.

Few expected them to advance from a Club Championship pool that included last year’s beaten finalists Kenmare and Dingle (who are veterans of the senior scene) but they did just that – and as group winners, no less.

The welcome return from injury of Liam Kearney has given them a lift and they will fancy their prospects at home to Kerins O’Rahillys (Saturday 6pm).

Strand Road were held to a draw by Templenoe on Sunday last thanks to a late Killian Spillane goal. Spa, for their part, defeated Na Gaeil away 1-16 to 0-12, which was a great result.

If the defence can minimise conceding frees anywhere inside the 45 they will be in a good place as Rahillys depend to a large extent on the free-taking of Jack Savage. The David Moran v Liam Kearney battle for midfield supremacy will also be crucial. If Spa win this sector, they have forwards like Evan Cronin, Mike Foley and David Spillane to rack up a winning score.

Templenoe host Dingle in the other semi-final (also Saturday at 6pm).

INTERMEDIATE

The fight for a coveted seat at the top table of Kerry football is heating up as the Intermediate Club Championship reaches the quarter-final stage this weekend.

Half the participants have now been eliminated following the final round of group games and the draw for the last eight has thrown up some exciting ties.

Chief amongst them is surely the local grudge match between two teams who are keen to make their spell at intermediate level as brief as possible: the Killarney Legion and Kilcummin (Sunday 2.30pm, Derreen).

The Legion, who are now managed by Cork native Ned English, made light work of their pool, defeating Laune Rangers, Dromid and John Mitchels pretty comfortably. Four first-half points by James O’Donoghue set the hosts on their way against Mitchels on Sunday and they eventually prevailed on a double-scores scoreline: 0-14 to 0-7.

Legion lost their senior status last year following defeat to Dr Crokes. Climbing back up at the first time of asking would be a massive boost for the club.

Standing in their way at the quarter-final stage are Kilcummin, who themselves dropped down to the second tier as recently as 2020. Noel Duggan (six frees) top-scored in last weekend’s victory over Glenbeigh-Glencar and the ever-reliable Brendan Kealy chipped in with a couple of placed balls of his own.

Legion, the pre-tournament favourites, will be fancied to get over the line but Kilcummin are never an easy team to play against. This tie could end up going down to the wire.

Elsewhere, Rathmore welcome Laune Rangers to Rathbeg (Saturday 6pm), Beaufort host Glenflesk (Sunday 2.30pm), and Gneeveguilla face a tough task away to An Ghaeltacht in Gallarus (Sunday 2.30pm).

In the Junior Premier, Listry will have home advantage for their quarter-final against Ballyduff (Saturday 6pm), Fossa have a tricky journey to Annascaul (Saturday 6pm), Ballymac face St Senan’s (Saturday 6pm) and Skellig Rangers are up against Ardfert (Sunday 2.30pm).

Firies are gunning for promotion from the Junior Championship; the next step for them is a home quarter-final against Scart (Sunday 2.30pm).