LADIES NOTES
U8 AND U10 MLGFA BLITZ
We are delighted to be hosting the MLGFA 9 a side blitz next Saturday, August 17th where over 30 teams will participate in a day of fun games in Ballyrickard. No scores will be kept. Registration will commence at 10.15a.m. and the games at 11a.m. Registration is €20 per team and €10 for a second team. We will have a shop in Ballyrickard with refreshments, sandwiches, rolls etc.
U12 GIRLS
KLGFA BLITZ
Thanks to Austin Stacks for hosting last Thursday. It was like a winter’s evening with heavy rain but that didn’t stop the girls from enjoying the FUN blitz. Thanks also to their parents for bringing and supporting them and to their coaches who also braved the elements.
U14 GIRLS
We are home to Ballymac in Division 1 of the North Kerry League this week. More information to follow.
U15 CHAMPIONSHIP
On Friday last we played the U15 county championship semi-final having beaten Churchill the previous week 7-07 to 0-09. While that game was played in tough breezy conditions, both our goalkeeper Kelly Fitzgerald ,our backs and forwards played really well to give us a comprehensive win . Best on that night were Kelly Fitzgerald, Hollie Leane who was excellent all through the game, Rachael O’ Donnell, Aoibhín O’ Connor-MacCarthy and Katie Nix who is an exceptional footballer in every game she plays. As coaches we picked up quite a lot from that game which would prove to be of major benefit for our semi-final meeting with Glenflesk who had won their quarter final comprehensively by eight goals.
We knew going into this game that we have an excellent panel who have trained well over the last two months and have taken on teams in challenge games who are divisions above us and competed really well. With players to come back and a good game plan we know this group are an exceptional bunch .
From the off they got stuck into a team that in size alone were inches taller than everyone of our players. Our backs were out in front for every ball and with Kelly Fitzgerald in brilliant form behind them, they set the tone of this game from throw-in to the end with Lauren Doody, Hollie Leane, Lily O’Brien and our Captain Eugenie Kerins all in exceptional form, driving on from the back every chance they got and not giving the opposition an inch. Our midfielders Keelan Coffey and Rachael O’Donnell both played the game of their lives, with their marking , moving into space, fielding and passing to the inside forwards being flawless all night. Both of their county-standard opponents were played completely out of this game with both being moved before the game was over. We asked our half toward line to work as if their lives depended on it while attacking and defending and by God did they do it with Lia Mclysaght, Kate Kerins and Jennifer Murphy putting in a massive shift to ensure quality ball went into our inside forwards. We are blessed to have Aoibhín O’ Connor-MacCarthy , Sophie Hassett and especially Katie Nix in our forward line. With a tally of 6-09 between them, they proved just how good they were in the white heat of battle with everything on the line. Their opponents were bigger and stronger than all three of them and those opponents changed as the game went on but that didn’t matter as time and time again they attacked relentlessly getting some fantastic goals and points and when they didn’t have the ball, they defended like their lives depended on it and stopped the ball coming out. We could not be prouder of how well everyone played including the subs who came on and added to this win. This was a panel of 22 prepared to put everything on the line for Kerins O Rahillys’ Club and by God did they do that.
Final score : Kerins O’ Rahillys- 6-09 Glenflesk 2-10
The support on the night was phenomenal and family and friends roared on the team from beginning to end and the players responded to the support which was clearly evident all through the game. It’s what this club is all about. We are facing either Legion or Castlegregory in the final. Their game is to be played next week, but we don’t mind who we play as another performance like this and we will prove hard to beat. Training is always better when you have a final to look forward to. The plan from the start of these championships was to rack up the training over the last six weeks, concentrate on the areas where we could improve and go into these games with a strong panel and strong game plan which thankfully has gone well so far. The players have responded and delivered big time. This could not be a prouder time for Tricia Moran who is managing both teams. She has put together a team of 3/4 coaches with her who are as passionate about these teams as she is. She is a true blue all her life and lives for times like these in Strand Road when championship finals come around. When she says something they listen, as we all do and she is proving to be a great motivator for every one of these young players. We look forward to the next few weeks and also the quarter final of the U17 championship which will be away to last night’s opposition again, which in true championship fashion is likely to be a well-contested affair for both players and supporters.
U16 GIRLS
The North Kerry League commences on September 3rd. We are in Division 2 and are home to Castlegregory for our first game.
U17 CHAMPIONSHIP
Training continues as normal for the quarter final when we are away to Glenflesk. More details to follow.
SENIOR LADIES
Well done to our senior ladies who travelled to Beale last Thursday evening for Round 1 of The North Kerry League, Division 2. Final score: Beale/Ballyduff 1-06 Kerins O Rahilly’s 1-02. A great performance ladies and thanks to Rory Kerins for helping out. We are away to John Mitchels in Round 2.
Best wishes to Regina from Beale/Ballyduff for a speedy recovery from the injury she sustained during the game.
BAG PACK
Many thanks to Dunnes and their staff for allowing us to fundraise last Saturday in their store in the Horan Centre. Thanks also to our volunteers and everyone who supported us.
GIRLS DAY OUT
We are looking at the afternoon of Wednesday 21st for our day out before you return to school. We will be heading out to Castlegregory. Your itinerary includes 3 hours of activities, including surfing and other water activities. You will have hot food afterwards. More details to follow. We need to confirm numbers as soon as possible. Plans are also in place for your day out before Christmas.
CLUB GEAR
Academy kits and other pre-ordered club gear can be collected between 6p.m. and 7.30p.m. this Monday from Charlie’s Bar & Bistro. Full payment please on collection. If you wish to order anything please contact Shirley (086) 8713552.
After a break of three weeks Juvenile Academy will return to normal next Sunday, August 18th at 11a.m. in Healy Park, Ballyrickard.
