Sport
Wide open Kerry Club Championships reach knockout stage
by Eamonn Fitzgerald
The group phase of the very competitive Kerry Club Championships were completed last weekend and the draw has now been made for the knockout stages.
For some, the road to Croker and the prospect of an All-Ireland title is the focal point. However, winning out in Kerry usually proves to be the hardest hurdle of all.
In 2022, Rathmore and Fossa had their moments of ultimate glory when they banished the January blues by winning the All-Ireland Intermediate and Junior titles. They were both promoted to the next grade up for 2023 and they have shown in the last three weeks that they are well able to compete.
Others will be fighting for their lives to avoid relegation. The top team in each group has the added bonus of a home tie in the next round, which takes place this weekend.
SENIOR SEMI-FINALS
Spa v Dingle (Saturday 6pm, Tullig)
Spa have been catching the eye of late, scoring very highly in all three rounds of the group stage. They won last weekend by just about edging out Kenmare Shamrocks by a single point (1-14 to 1-13).
Kerry players Dara Moynihan (scorer of Spa’s goal) and ace free taker Seánie O’Shea played central roles in this game; O’Shea scored ten points but his side still lost.
Dingle have been the most consistent top senior club team in recent years and after losing to Crokes in Round 1, they bounced back by hammering Kerins O’Rahillys 2-18 to 0-14 in Round 2. (That result means that Strand Road lost all three of their games and they now face a relegation battle against Tralee rivals Na Gaeil.)
Barry Dan is a key man for Dingle, so Spa will need to be at their best i lár na páirce. Elsewhere the Geaneys pose the greatest dangers and it isn’t just Kerry star Paul. Mikey, in particular, is a trump card.
Tom O’Sullivan will line out at corner back as per programme but is well capable of moving up the wing to score two or three points as he does so regularly with Kerry.
Dara Moynihan is now showing his county form with Spa and Dingle will be keen to curtail his influence. Evan Cronin is top scorer for Spa. This will be their greatest test and a welcome win would catapult them onto the big stage. This game is too close to call, and it may not be resolved at the end of normal time.
Dr Crokes v Kenmare Shamrocks (Saturday 3pm, Lewis Road)
Dr Crokes remain unbeaten after a 1-15 to 1-11 win away to Rathmore on Sunday. It is never easy to win in Rathbeg where the home side were expected to call the tune. However, Crokes held off the challenge and copper fastened victory late in the game when Micheál Burns converted a penalty after being fouled himself.
Like so many other clubs, Crokes have been badly hit by long term injuries to key experienced players and great and all as last week’s win was, it may well be a Pyrrhic victory with the loss of Gavin White. Unfortunately, a damaged a hamstring will keep him out of action for the knockout stages of this competition, and it remains to be seen if he will be recovered in time for the County Championship.
This is a further blow to Crokes after top scorer Tony Brosnan was also ruled out of action. Former Kerry star Fionn Fitzgerald suffered a very severe knee injury against Kenmare in last year’s championship and he has yet to play a full game this year. He did come on as a late substitute in recent games.
Crokes - as table toppers - will have home venue versus Kenmare, who knocked them out in the closing stages of this competition last year.
Kenmare will be depending on Kerry stars Seánie O’Shea and Stephen O’Brien to win this one, but home venue may be decisive on this occasion, especially when Crokes will now be missing two of their Kerry players.
Last week they also had to go without the injured Neil O’Shea, but Mark Fitzgerald did very well on Kerry All-Star Shane Ryan. Goalkeeper Shane Murphy and forward Micheál Burns will be central to Crokes’ ambitions.
Home advantage would normally swing this one in Crokes’ favour but the loss of Brosnan compounded by the injury to White could be significant factors on the outcome.
INTERMEDIATE
Kilcummin teed up a home quarter-final against Milltown/Castlemaine (Sunday 4pm, Kilcummin) by defeating Legion at home on Sunday last (0-13 to 0-9).
Key to this win for Kilcummin was the manner in which the defence performed. It was a big win for the former All-Ireland Intermediate champions, who were missing their key player Paul O’Shea. He suffered an ankle injury in Round 2.
Young Cian Foley and Mark O’Shea impressed up front, each kicking two fine points in the first half to give them a half-time lead of 0-9 to 0-6.
Will Shine was a prolific scorer for Legion when they won their first two games in Group C but the Kilcummin defence kept a tight rein on him. Dara O’Callaghan and Seán O’Leary, who has battled back courageously after his horrific car accident, caught the eye.
Former Kerry star James O’Donoghue kept Legion in contention with three points from frees. For Kilcummin former Kerry goalkeeper Brendan Kealy was as assured as ever at number 1 and he scored a fine point from a 45.
Legion will be away to Beaufort in their quarter-final (Sunday 1.30pm) and that will not be an easy assignment against a team that missed out last year. The Mid Kerry team topped their group with Milltown/Castlemaine finishing second.
Gneeveguilla were the unlucky team to miss out on qualification from this pool, despite their game against Glenbeigh-Glencar very easily (3-10 to 0-9). They needed Beaufort to beat Milltown/Castlemaine in the other game if they wanted to advance but Fergal Hallissey kicked a late equalising point for Beaufort.
A very interesting game last week was Desmonds v Stacks, both former All-Ireland Club winners at senior level. Desmonds have struggled ever since but they came good last weekend with a convincing 2-11 to 1-8 victory.
Stacks won the County Championship in 2021 but were subsequently relegated last season. They bounced back to win their first two games and were odds on to get back to senior status until they were well beaten by Desmonds.
What is most remarkable is that Desmonds won this game even though they played with just 14 men from the 25th minute when Michael Walsh was shown a straight red.
The key score here was a goal by Rory Burke at the very end of the first half to give them their deserved 1-8 to 1-3 lead. They maintained their superiority throughout the second half, stunning Stacks who seemed to be on target to return to senior status.
Stacks won’t relish the next round away to Glenflesk (Saturday 3pm) with a young enough team who are going well. They racked up a huge score at home last weekend, 4-12 in all with goals by Luke Crowley, Darragh Roche, Patrick Darcy and Brian O’Donoghue.
Paudie Clifford (0-5) kept Fossa ticking over until O’Donoghue scored the late, crucial goal for Glenflesk. Emmet O’Shea had equalised for Fossa late in the contest, but Glenflesk upped their game once more to secure top spot.
Fossa now face an away quarter-final against Desmonds (Sunday 4pm). This will be a step up away from home. Rising tides lifts all boats and Fossa have proved that in 2022 when the prowess of the Clifford brothers boosted the rest of the team.
The whole team is playing much better now with the coincidence of winning the All-Ireland title in January. Look out for Emmet O’Shea. He showed his class at minor level and is now a key man at senior level. Away to Desmonds will test Fossa, but the Cliffords’ influence may still be the deciding factor in this one. Fossa to win.
The IFC relegation semi-finals will see Currow up against Glenbeigh/Glencar while Ballydonoghue face St Mary’s. Toss a coin.
JUNIOR PREMIER
In my view Listry were the best team in the junior ranks last year and they should have beaten Fossa in the best club of 2022. Only the magic of the great David Clifford denied them the Kerry title, which was a big disappointment for Listry and then manager Marc Ó Sé. Victory is within their sights and ambitions for this year.
They will be at home to Listowel Emmets in the quarters (Saturday 6pm) and even though the latter had a surprising win over Firies last weekend, Listry will prove too strong.
Firies had been going great guns but were surprisingly beaten by a single point 0-15 to 1-11, and that game was at Farranfore.
I also expect Ballymacelligott to win at home to Ballyduff (Saturday 4pm). I have been impressed by the quality of Ballymac’s style of play and expect them to have too much football nous against Ballyduff.
In the other quarter-final match-ups, Ardfert host Churchill (Sunday 1.30pm) and Annascaul travel to Dromid (Sunday 3pm).
STREEET LEAGUES
The Street Leagues continue at Dr Crokes tonight (Friday) with games beginning at 6.30pm. The tournament concludes with a grand finale on Friday, September 8. A big club night is planned at the clubhouse after the games conclude.
Sport
Jack O’Connor’s Kerry squad is looking deeper and stronger (but the proof will be in the eating)
As we reach the midway point of the 2025 season, Adam Moynihan takes a close look at Kerry’s strength in depth
As the Kerry players, management team and backroom staff huddled together for a photo with the Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh Cup in front of the Hogan Stand, one of the photographers raised his fist in the air, trying to illicit something resembling a celebratory scene. No joy.
Victory over Mayo had been secured in convincing enough fashion but winning the league has never been grounds for buoyant celebrations as far as Kerry are concerned. Retaining Division 1 status and unearthing some new talent is generally enough to tick the springtime box ahead of the serious business of the championship. Once that has been achieved, anything else is gravy.
Going by the disappointing loss to Armagh in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final, the need for new blood was especially great heading into the 2025 season. The team faded badly down the stretch and into extra time against the Orchard County with overdependence on core players glaringly obvious. It wasn’t the only reason they lost but Kerry simply didn’t get enough from their supporting cast on the day.
With that in mind, Jack O’Connor knew he had to work on the depth of his squad during this league campaign, and you’d have to say he made a pretty good fist of it.
Starting in goal, the situation here is clear with Shane Murphy providing back-up to Shane Ryan.
Moving out the field, in recent years Kerry have generally gone with Jason Foley at full back, Tom O’Sullivan at left corner back, and one of Paul Murphy or Graham O’Sullivan at right corner back.
After making his debut in the league in 2024, Damien Bourke has emerged as a genuine right corner back alternative with some strong performances that have vastly enhanced his reputation. Not many Kerry players came out of the Dublin defeat with extra credit to their name but Bourke was brave and tenacious, bursting out of defence and using the ball wisely. He was replaced as a starter by the experienced Murphy in later rounds but the Tralee man capped his league with a goal off the bench against Galway in Salthill.
Dylan Casey also got extended game time in the absence of Tom O’Sullivan and he acquitted himself professionally. He has a solid head on his shoulders and you get the impression that Jack O’Connor would now be comfortable throwing him into any given situation without hesitation.
The versatile Graham O’Sullivan is also an option at corner back and it looks like he’ll need to slot in somewhere other than his natural position of half back as Brian Ó Beaglaoich and Gavin White are nailed on starters at 5 and 7. O’Sullivan lined out at half forward against Galway and Mayo, underlining his flexibility and importance to the team.
There could be a changing of the guard taking place at centre back with Mike Breen seemingly shaking off the injury woes that have held back his progress with Kerry to date. With regular number 6 Tadhg Morley unavailable for selection for most of the league, Breen slotted seamlessly into that crucial central role, and he looked really confident against Mayo on Sunday. As things stand, Morley will be doing well to displace Breen but either way Kerry should have two good centre back options heading into the summer months.
Midfield has been a head scratcher for Kerry for a number of years but in Diarmuid O’Connor and Joe O’Connor they appear to have found a winning combination. Diarmuid was playing the best football of his career up to his injury against Armagh in Round 6 so getting his shoulder right for championship is of paramount importance to Kerry’s chances.
Joe is a guaranteed starter too but his assured display at wing forward against Armagh was interesting in that it opens the door for a third midfielder to start. Seán O’Brien and Barry Dan O’Sullivan both applied themselves admirably when called upon in the league and the manager should feel like he can trust them more now than he did 12 months ago.
Joe O’Connor’s arrival as a half forward candidate has improved Kerry’s options to the extent that it’s difficult to predict how they will line out from 10 to 12 in the Munster Championship. Micheál Burns has done quite well upon his reintroduction to the team after being dropped from the panel in 2024, and Paudie Clifford is looking sharp at centre forward. Tony Brosnan and Dylan Geaney are options along this line too, although Dylan has been operating as a withdrawn inside forward to date – a role Tony is also capable of playing.
Of course, Seánie O’Shea will have to fit in somewhere in this department when he fully recuperates from his knee ligament injury, so it will be interesting to see how Jack O’Connor works this conundrum out. File under ‘good problems’.
Dara Moynihan is still recovering from a hip injury and has not yet featured in 2025. He would naturally be an option at 10 if he can get back up to speed. Meanwhile, Darragh Lyne, Ruairí Murphy and Cathal Ó Beaglaoich all featured at half forward in the league.
David Clifford and Paul Geaney will play at 13 and 14 with Dylan Geaney in pole position to start at 15 on the back of a really good run of form, perhaps excepting the league final in which he was relatively quiet. Tony Brosnan is a prime candidate to challenge Dylan for that spot; the Dr Crokes player has kicked some fantastic scores in each of his last three appearances as a substitute.
As for out-and-out inside forwards, Conor Geaney and Killian Spillane are likely to be used as impact subs.
All told Kerry do appear to have better depth than they had last year, particularly with the emergence of second season players like Bourke, O’Brien and Dylan Geaney as legitimate options, and with Breen beginning to fulfil his potential. Burns’ comeback and Joe O’Connor’s newfound ability to play the 12 position also help.
As always, though, the proof will be in the eating. We will have to wait for the suffocating heat of do-or-die championship matches to find out if this squad is as deep and dependable as it looks on paper.
Funding Imminent for Fitzgerald Stadium Development
The long-awaited development of Fitzgerald Stadium is set to take a major step forward, with an announcement on further funding...
Fossa roadworks concerns realised
Predictions made by elected members of the Killarney Municipal District (KMD) regarding the Fossa roadworks have come to fruition this...
Housing Crisis: Killarney Then and Now
A striking photograph from 1967, provided to the Killarney Advertiser by former town mayor Sean Grady, reveals a protest outside...
Local AI Startup offering consulting services to Kerry SMEs
There’s a new player on the tech scene in Killarney, and it’s putting the region on the map for innovation...
Diesel alternative now available in Killarney
A new, more environmentally friendly diesel alternative is now available in Killarney, with Certa’s site in the Woodlands Industrial Estate...
