The “ group of death” is a sports slang used to describe a group where competition is fierce and the teams are all strong contenders.
A group which contains 3 division 1 teams plus last year’s All Ireland junior finalists ( Listowel Emmets) will ensure there are no easy games and any two of 4 teams could advance to the quarter finals.
We open our campaign on Friday night next, 26th July in Austin Stack Park where we will line up against Laune Rangers with the throw in @ 19.30
Laune Rangers are a team on the rise following their promotion to Division 1 last year after an 11 year absence.
They finished runners up in Division 1 to Dr Crokes, amassing 18 points - 8 wins, 2 draws and one loss - their only defeat being to Dr Crokes.
They have progressed and developed as a team and adapted to the challenges they faced and in Liam Hassett they have an experienced and progressive bainisteoir.
A new management team, led by Ray Walsh faced the perfect storm - injuries, a trio of players with Kerry U20s plus the extended break taken by many of our more seasoned players. In addition, the unusually inclement weather meant there were fewer Tralee town board league games played as in previous years further limiting preparations.
In the early stages of the county league we struggled to find our rhythm and cohesion, resulting in some disappointing performances and setbacks.
Ray Walsh and his management team were left frustrated by a run of defeats in the league with an opening day loss to Laune Rangers followed by defeats to Kilcummin, Legion, Milltown/Castlemaine and Rathmore before we turned the tables when defeating Spa in Strand Road - we next travelled to Dingle, who like ourselves were struggling, but failed to capitalise on our superiority when suffering a two point defeat.
The tide finally turned with the return of key players - their arrival provided a significant boost and impetus to our overall performances. The experience of Tommy and David plus the brio of our U20s brought leadership, skill and inspiration where we won our remaining games against An Ghaeltacht, Glenflesk and Ballymac, preserving our division 1 status.
The end of the season ironically arrived too soon given that we were at last being consistent, our hard work and dedication paying dividends and a marked improvement in our displays.
The hope is that we can continue where we left off and the players have been preparing diligently over the past few weeks; there are the usual bumps and niggles but Ray and his team hope to have everyone available for this opening encounter.
A win in the opening game is paramount given the tightness of the group but it would also guarantee us a home game the following weekend vs the losers of the Kilcummin/Listowel tie.
League form matters little in the white heat of championship and there will be many changes to our side which lined up against Laune Rangers on the 23rd March - if our recent form can be a barometer for Friday night we might just have enough to gain the two points on offer and return to home comforts in Strand Road the following weekend.
Tickets are now on sale online on kerrygaa.ie/Tickets or through the following link
General Admission €10
No Concessions
U16 free entry
