It was a busy weekend on the underage intercounty front for Kerry this weekend. On Saturday our U14 team faced a strong Waterford side in the Munster A Semi final in Castletownroche. Waterford got a great start to the game with goal in the early minutes from Annie Fitzgerald, but the young inexperienced Kerry girls replied with a point seconds later from the boot of Kayla O'Connor & within 5 minutes were level with scores from Cora Joy & Anna Clifford. In fact they could have been ahead if it was not for the heroics of the Waterford keeper & full back who was simply wonderful. Kerry then powered ahead & it looked like they had settle down after scores from Maeve Rochford & Ceiti Long * 2. But Waterford struck for another goal to bring it level, but captain Niamh Ni Conchuir pointed to leave Kerry ahead at the break 0-7 to Waterford 2-00. Waterford again started the brightest with 2 points in quick succession, with Kerry making positional changes. Waterford were making many attacks but their shots dropping wide. Kerry did claw themselves back into the game with a goal from Ally O'Mahony, a rasper of a shot to the top left corner which was followed quickly by an Ella Teahan point.  Kerry momentum was short lived as Kerry keeper was called into action quickly with a great save, but the rebound was hit to the net as the Waterford forward reacted quicker.  The Deise side followed this up with 2 more points. Kerry kept attacking & earned frees which were not converted unfortunately, with again the Waterford keeper playing superb ably assisted by her full & centre back. Waterford got their 4 goal of the game in the 22nd minute. But Kerry not to throw in the towel got another back through Ella Teahan to leave only 2 between the sides. The last minutes were frantic as Kerry desperately tried for a third elusive goal, but alas efforts fell short. Final Score: Kerry 2-08 Waterford 4-04.
Niamh Foley (Miltown) , Kate Mc Carthy  (Legion), Ellen O Sullivan (Inbhear Sceine Gaels), Joyce O Connor ( Currow), Mairead Lehane (Miltown), Ailbhne Clifford (Cromane), Caoimhe Evans (Miltown), Niamh Ní Chonchúir (Corca Dhuibhne) Captain, Kayla O Connor (Desmonds), Katie Buckley (Rathmore), Ally Ní Mhathúna  (Corca Dhuibhne), Maebh Rochford ( Miltown), Cora Joy ( Cromane) , Ceiti Ni Luing  ( Corca Dhuibhne), Anna Clifford (Fossa),  Subs: Sinead O Neill (Cromane), Ciara Randles (Legion), Ella Teahan (Miltown) for Maeve Rochford 2nd half, Shelley Clifford (Fossa) for Ailbhe Clifford , Clodagh Ní Shiúrdáin (Corca Dhuibhne), Ellen Coffey (Legion) for Katie Buckley 2nd half, Niamh Brown (Dingle), Katelyn Crowe (Kerins O Rahillys ), Rachel Ryan (Austin Stacks), Conagh Fitzgerald ( Abbeydorney) for Ellen O'Sullivan 2nd half, Danielle O Leary (Rathmore), Siofra O Shea (Southern Gaels), Mairead Bennett (Spa) for Joyce O'Connor h/t, Gillian Courtney (Glenflesk), Kayleigh Mc Glashen (Laune Rangers). Team Manager:Rory Kilgallen (John Mitchels) Selectors: John Doona (Legion),Christena Murphy (Kerins O Rahillys),Nora O Connor (Rathmore), Frank Mc Loughlin (Kerins O Rahillys),Frances Bowler (Dingle).
On Sunday our U16 team had a comprehensive win against a very depleted Cork side in Donoughmore in a second round Munster tie.  With Cork resting key players it was a skewed result & a much tougher test awaits in the Munster final against the same opposition.  However what was pleasing from a Kerry point of view was the movement & team work of the team with retaining a possession in a smart way being a key indicator of their game while the off the ball running & space created by the forwards was also very pleasing but there is still work to be done which will be the message driven home to the players by manager Graham Shine. Kerry had 3-10 by end of the first half to Corks 1-05, with the 2 Cork keepers making wonderful saves it would have been more. Goals coming from Ciara Murphy, Aoife O'Callaghan & Hannah O'Donoghue.  In the second half it was pretty much the same with Kerry  cutting through the defence & racked on an additional 4 goals through Hannah O'Donoghue * 2 & Rebecca Murphy *2. Final Score Kerry 7-17 Cork 1-09. Team:
1. Laura Tehan Killcummin, 2. Kate Maher, Killcummin, 3.Tara Breen Laune Rangers, 4.Faye O Donoghue Fossa, 5.Sarah Leahy Legion, 6.Laoise Coughlan Rathmore, 7.Anna O Reilly Laune Rangers, 8.Emma Dineen Glenflesk, 9.Labhaoise Walmsley Castleisland Desmonds, 10.Ciara Murphy Miltown/Listry, 11.Leah Henry Listowel Emmets, 12.Elizabeth Mohan Legion, 13.Fiadhna Tagney Legion, 14.Hannah O'Donoghue Fossa, 15.Aoife O Callaghan Rathmore, 16.Rachel Mulvihill Listowel Emmets, 17.Emma McCarthy, Kerins O Rahillys, 18.Erica McGlynn Fossa, 19.Sophie Lynch Listowel Emmets, 20.Nora O Connell  Na Gaeil, 21.Maeve McGivern Austin Stacks, 22.Rebecca Murphy Legion, 23.Brid Ryan Rathmore, 24.Moira Flaherty Moyvane, 25.Ciara O Brien Laune Rangers, 26.Ciara Ni Ghrifin Corca Dhuibhne. Manager: Graham Shine Listowel Emmets. Selector: Joanne Brosnan Scartaglin, Julie Brosnan  Scartaglin, Marie O Connor Glenflesk.
On the domestic front  in the Rhyno Quality Feeds Co.League in Division 1 Southern Gaels travelled to an injury riddled Castleisland Desmonds & came away worthy winners on a final scoreline of Castleisland Desmond 2-06 Southern Gaels 5-15. Scorers Southern Gaels: Megan O'Connell 02, Bernie Cronin 03, Linda Cronin 1-02, Deirdre Corridan 2-07, Saidbh Fitzgerald 2-01. In other Division 1 clash Laune Rangers used home advantage to get an edge over Scartaglen as they grounded out a result Laune Rangers 2-12 Scartaglen 1-08, with Scartaglen ruing 2 missed penalties.  In Division 2 it was the battle of the towns & Black & Amber as Dr Crokes travelled to Tralee to meet Austin Stacks. In a nip tuck game, it finished in a draw, badly needed points for both sides. Austin Stacks 1-04 Dr Crokes 0-07. In the remaining game of the weekend in Division newcomers Annascaul have well & truly made their mark, getting full points against Beale. Final score Annascaul 5-06 Beale 2-07.
On Friday the Kerry Ladies Football Board First year post primary blitz took place in ideal conditions in Fossa.  Teams participating teams were, St Bridget's Killarney A and B, Colaiste na Sceilge A and B, St Josephs & St Ita's Abbeyfeale A and B, Mounthawk A and B , Milltown Pres A and B, Tarbert A and B, Intermediate School Killorglin A and  B, Gaelscoil Tra Li A and B, Pobail Scoil Corca Dhuibhne and Sliabh Luachra Rathmore. Colaiste na Sceilge A , the group 1 winners beat St Josephs & St Ita's  A, group 3 winners in the first  semi final and  group 2 winners St Bridget's B defeated their classmates St Bridget's A in the other to set up a final between Colaiste na Sceilge A and St Bridget's B in the Cup Final. The defeated semi finalists played a B final and which St Josephs & St Ita's Abbeyfeale won.  There was a wonderful atmosphere, all the girls clearly enjoyed the day and the beautiful weather certainly  helped. Mercy Mounthawk were so reluctant to leave & had such an appetite for football they persuaded Mike Hickey  to ref a game between their A and B teams.  It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm displayed by both the players & team officials/teachers.  Many thanks to match officials Sharon Roche, Batt McGlynn, Paddy White, Denis Sayers & Mike Hickey & county board officials who ensure the smooth running on the day - Karen McGlynn, Lavinia Cunningham & Nora Fealey.
The National Feile this years has been changed in relation to teams entry.  Nationally Kerry has been selected to send 2 teams - one from Division 1 & another from Division 3. Team's from 2 & 4 can enter at the discretion of their board. The county Féile competition will run on Saturday 26th April with 8 teams in Fossa for the Div 1 competition - Fossa, Rathmore, Corca Dhuibhne, Austin Stacks, Miltown/Listry, Cromane, Castleisland Desmonds & Abbeydorney. The Div 3 section will take place in Tralee venue TBC with teams - Firies, Spa, Kilcummin, Currow, Ballymac Finuge/St Senans & Kerins O'Rahillys.
On Sunday our senior team face Cork in the Tesco HomeGrown National League semi final in Dromcollogher 2pm. It has a feeling of déjà vu about the fixture as it is the exact same fixture down to time & venue as 2014. On that day Cork came away as winners, finishing strong. However with Kerry's aim the past 2 years being to maintain our Division 1 status, as it is difficult to earn promotion semi final spot & final in the league are seen as a bonus. This year under new manager Alan O'Neill, he has used the league to expand his panel & try things out, with Ciara Murphy Corca Dhuibhne playing very well in her first season as example & Denise Hallissey in wing forward adding a new dimension. Team is very positive at the moment & players are working hard according to Alan. Team will be announced later in the week. As this is our second year in a row getting to the final, hoping for big Kerry crowd to support the team, as it is only approx a 90 minute drive.

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