LADIES UPDATE
A quiet week on the playing fields for our teams but the one team who was in action made it count. The U12 Girls, having qualified for the B Final of the South Kerry League Final, faced the only team to get the better of them in the group stages, Rathmore. Playing in Direen the visitors hit the ground running , struck an early goal and that was the difference at the halfway stage of the first half. The whistle blew at the end of a cagey opening period with Rathmore leading by 1-2 to 0-2. Whatever went on at half time in the Legion dressing room it should have been bottled as it saw a big transformation in the girls play. The defending was so good they kept their opponents scoreless for the entire second half. Whilst that wouldn’t have been enough for victory, the forwards were not to be found wanting as they struck for 3-2 and after a difficult first half the girls came through with flying colours to claim the first piece of silverware of the season on a scoreline of 3-4 to 1-2. Well done to the team and coaches.
Esme O Sullivan, Aitana Bowler, Claire Lyne, Mary pierce, Lillian Slattery, Aine Clayton, Tiffany O Brien, Patricia O Brien, Raegan Browne, Ava Price, Clodagh Donnelly, Madison Angland, Melissa Bowler, Lynn Moore, Leah Mannix, Leah Heinemann, Croi Carroll O Connor, Aoibhin Heinemann, Marie Claire Van Vrede, Sophie O Shea, Bebhinn O Donoghue, Frankie Treacy, Zoe O Neill, Millie McSweeney, Sarah Spellman and Emma Quirke.
The U16 girls are back in action this Tuesday May 3rd (7pm) with a visit to Listowel, the minors are in Killorglin Friday May 6th (7pm) while the U14 girls make the trip to Glenflesk on Sunday May 8th (4pm). The Seniors entertain Finuge/St Senans in Direen, also on Sunday at 12 noon.
JUVENILE BOYS UPDATE
The U11 Go Games roadshow paid a visit to Direen on Thursday night while the boys of Keel came to town. A great hour of football was had by all and it continues this week when Churchill are again the visitors to Direen.
The U13 boys will play the final round in the first phase of the County League when they make the shortest away trip of the year across the train tracks to Lewis Road. The games are scheduled for Sunday May 8th at 7pm . Keep an eye on our social media for fixture confirmation.
Both our U15 Boys teams travelled to Connolly Park to take on Austin Stacks who were yet to be beaten in either grade this year.
Our Green team, who met a team that had a noticeable physical advantage, and had put every team to the sword so far this year, trailed at half time 2-5 to 1-2.
With some tweaks made at half time they put in a great burst but couldn’t bridge the gap despite some fantastic team play.
Full time score Austin Stacks 3-16 Legion 3-9
Our White team trailed for most of the game to a strong Stacks side , 3-8 to 3-2 at one stage.They had whittled to down to a 5 point deficit entering the home straight and put in a storming finish to run out 5-9 to 3-13 winners.
Big shout out to the Under 13’s players and mentors that stepped up to assist the team and management tonight. The results mean our Green team are second in the table thereby qualifying for the Division 1 semi finals.
Our White team by virtue of finishing joint top of the table now qualify for the Division 8 semi final. A great reward for a dedicated bunch of players.
Great to see 32 players involved all in the one venue.
WEESHIE FOGARTY ROUNDABOUT
It was a source of great pride for the Club last Thursday when the Weeshie Fogarty Roundabout, situated at Daltons Avenue/ Marian Terrace was unveiled by Killarney Municipal District Mayor Marie Moloney. Weeshie of course was a staunch and active player, officer, coach, mentor all his life but made his name globally through his work with Radio Kerry. His commentaries and programmes were heard in places as far flung as Wagga Wagga and he was the voice of Kerry (and football) for so many of the county’s diaspora. His personality endeared him to so many and he always had a word for them. We extend our best wishes to his wife Joan, daughters Denise and Carolann, son Kieran, son in law Glen and granddaughters Lucy and Eva (both outstanding footballers, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree).
KERRY LADIES
Congratulations to Áine Devlin and Chloe Hue who were part of the Kerry Minor Ladies panel that Waterford in the Munster B Final in Mallow on Sunday.
DEEPEST SYMPATHIES
We extend our sympathies to the family of Eileen O Donoghue (nee Murphy) who recently passed away. A particularly hard time for the O’Donoghue family so quickly after the loss of Eileen’s mother in law Sheila. May they Rest in Peace.
SENIOR MEN
A blitz at the start of the second half which yielded 2-5 in seven minutes sowed the seeds for a comfortable victory as the Senior Men picked up another brace of points in this County League game played in Direen.
Two quick points by Thomas Moriarty and Jamie O Sullivan just after the restart lit the blue touch paper as O Sullivan again, James O Donoghue and Thomas Moriarty slotted over points before James O Donoghue deceived the defence with some nifty handling to coolly find the bottom right hand corner. Almost straight from the kick out Finbarr Murphy stormed through the middle before slipping off a timely pass to young Sam Benson who hit a piledriver to the top right hand corner. That took Legion’s tally to 4-11 and the fact that only one point was scored in the remaining twenty minutes might concern management , but the man that scored it, Sam Benson, will equally delight them as the youngster popped up here,there and everywhere all day long.
The game looked finely poised at half time, even if Legion looked the better team, with the scoreboard reading 2-6 to 1-6. The standout moments from that first half were the fine point kicking from Jamie O Sullivan, the well worked team goal finished by Luke O Donoghue while Jonathan Lyne stormed through the visitors defence like a Kentucky Derby winner to score a fantastic goal. James O Donoghue was conjoling the attack and Luke O’Donoghue would have been happy with his day’s work shooting 1-1.
An Ghaeltacht threatened on a number of occasions but Rob Leen, lining out at full back, held their dangerman Tomas O Se in a vice-like grip for the most part. Darragh Fleming made his first competitive senior start with Cathal Sheahan in the other corner and defensively looked sound for the most part. The half back line of Lyne, Danny Sheahan and Peter O Sullivan were the springboard for most attacks while Padraig Lucey continued his stellar form. Darragh Lyne sustained an early injury but battled on gamely.
Team… Brian Kelly, Cathal Sheahan, Rob Leen, Darragh Fleming, Peter O Sullivan, Danny Sheahan, Jonathan Lyne (1-1), Padraig Lucey, Finbarr Murphy, Sam Benson (1-1), Darragh Lyne, Luke O Donoghue (1-1), Thomas Moriarty (0-2), Jamie O Sullivan (0-5), James O Donoghue (1-2)
Subs used…Peter McCarthy, Alan Moriarty, Ian Prendergast.