By Jack Hennessy
The St. Marys Asdee G A A Club may really have only played in fits and starts for the bigger part of the 2013 football season but they certainly finished the year in brilliant fashion and without doubt had many of their critics wishing that they kept some of their remarks to themselves; however this was a year that the club suffered big time with injuries, immigration very much to the fore and of course the loss of former players didn’t help the situation either; but eventually everything fell into place as we approached the finishing line. I suppose since the club has been reformed in 1986 there has been so many magic moments along the way; our first County Final Novice win in the 80s, John Kennedy adding to the All Ireland Senior Football Championship medal haul for Asdee players bringing it to 13 in total; the opening of the Jack Walsh Park in 1997 or was it John Joe O Carroll making history for the club by becoming the first County Board Officer in the early 2000s. There are many more im sure but our recent victory over our fellow parishioners and great rivals Ballylongford in the County Novice Shield with captain Eoin O Carroll holding the Shield must rank just as high; however beating Bally was just another job that had to be done but the biggest prize of all was that by winning was that we along with Dr. Crokes, Keel, Currow will be representing Kerry in the various Munster competitions. Asdee will be taking part as County Junior “B” winners a competition that Brosna, Moyvane, Cromane, Scartaglin, Tousist and Na Gaeil the first winners of the competition in the mid 2000s took part. Never in our wildest dreams could we imagine that we would take part in a Munster ran competition organised by the Knockaderry Club in Limerick that was sanctioned by the Munster Council. Now the club will give it its best shot and no doubt with the Management team of John Kennedy, Dan Dalton and Sean Doran at the helm who have really believed in this squad of players plus the dynamic Club Chairman, Padraig Vallelly the sky is the limit after this. It is expected that Asdee will enter the competition in mid November. Dates to be finalised as of yet but all games will be played in Knockaderry.
As already stated it was a wonderful occasion, but regrettably there was also a disappointing downside to the whole historic occasion. Not being critical, but after all, this was a County Finalwhich meant so much to these two club teams and particularly seeing that both come from the one Parish. This was after all a Co. Final in which the players concerned gave as much in preparation, dedication and commitment, as did the players in any of the other Co. Final competitions, and therefore it was a huge pity that the powers that be could not treat this likewise. The pride of theJersey and pride in their community meant everything to these players who for the majority travelled home from places within the Country and from further afield outside of the Country to assist their clubs. That is why I am making the point on their behalf and indeed on behalf of these two clubs that it was a scorn that there was no match reports of this game in either the radio or papers (even though all other finals on the day were covered) what also boggled the mind was the fact that no Officer of the County Board was present (even though we had one of our own in the parish). Plus considering that the Executive of Coiste Chontae Chiarraí is made up of a third of its elected Officers hailing from the North Kerry District Board area indeed the appearance of any one of them would have been due recognition to these players, spectators and mentors alike. However Chairman of the North Kerry Football Board Billy Enright was on hand to do the presentation. As we approach convention time maybe the powers that be would address such matters, these fixtures are County Board fixtures So in future all County finals regardless of the grade should have at least a County Board Officer present plus adequate reporting in both the printed and social media outlets, surely this is not too much to ask ??.
SCOR
The North Kerry Finals of Scor Na nOg Sponsored by Eileen and Paddy Horgan, Amber Filling Station, Tarbert RoadListowel will take place in the Marian Hall Moyvane on this Saturday November 2nd , 7pm. All Clubs are expected to take part. It is compulsory to take part in at least one of the seven competitions but you can compete in as many catagories as you may wish. Figure Dancing, Solo Singing, Recitation, Instrumental Music, Leiriu, (Novelty), Ballad Group, Set Dancing. Local Club have been prepairing hard for the event under the guidance of Club Cultural Officer Kathleen Carmody.