The much talked about and long awaited McCarthys Insurance Brokers League Division 2 Final is down for decision for Stack Park Ballybunion on this Sunday, July 20th, 2 30pm featuring Asdee and Ballydonoghue. Certainly this has caught the imagination of all Gaels within the District Board and is sure to attract a huge following to the Seaside Village. Down through the years Ballydonoghue seem to have the Indian sign over Asdee in all competitions so hopefully on this occasion the result can be reversed.
Certainly Ballydonoghue will after all go into this tie as pre match favourites and rightly so as they can boast of many players that have worn the green and gold in recent times; Martin O Mahony, Darragh O Shea, Paul Kennelly, Colin O Mahony, Diarmuid Behan to mention a few and are showing great form to date. On the other hand Asdee are having an exceptional season so far going well in the County League and their victory earlier in the Munster Junior Championship was a huge boast to the club who are continuing on from that famous result.
This year the team have been showing that the the stronger the opposition they seem to be able to rise to the occasion and with a nice blend of youth and experience you can be assured that they will not be found wanting and will battle to the final whistle. Noel Long, Eoin Kennedy, Padraig Ruddle and Charles Dalton as the senior members of the team will show the way to the younger stars, Darragh Keane, Sean Keane, Kieran Kelly, Con Carmody, Micheal Tydings and Eoin Tydings .
The other members of the team, Darren Russell, Michael Walsh, Paul O Carroll, John Doran, Mike Breen, Conor Coughlan, Martin Collins will im sure fit in well to the starting 15. Add on another seasoned campaigner in Brian Coughlan, Cathal Fogarty, Padraig Buckley, Tom Mulvihill, Denis Dalton, David O Connor, Sean Dalton, Barry O Donoghue who will be waiting on the subs bench for a call up if needed. The loss of our captain Eoin O Carroll who is unavailable is a big blow but I suppose you can only play with the hand you have been dealt.
So the burning question is can Asdee regain a title they last won in 1991 against the then North Kerry Senior Championship winners Tarbert and much the same as now were given little chance of victory. Ballydonoghue last years beaten finalists will be hoping to go one better this time round and as already stated will be the pre match favourites. It promises to be an intruiging contest and if Asdee can maintain the form they have been showing of late then the boys in the black and amber could very well be celebrating a famous victory over their near neighbours come Sunday evening. Best of luck to all concerned.
MARATHON. Asdee GAA in conjunction with Kerry Respite Care are holding a 5K,10K and Half Marathon run on Saturday 13th of September start and finishing at Asdee GAA pitch.
CUL CAMPS. Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps are a great way for children aged 6 – 13 to play the games and learn GAA skills in a fun child-friendly environment – and maybe even help make them a GAA star of the future!
Asdee/Ballylongford & Ballybunion Cul Camp will take place in both clubs the week of the 14th – 18th of July, Mon – Fri 10am – 2.30pm,
cost €55 per child, reductions available for more than one family member.
FIXTURES.
North Kerry Minor League. Division 1 Round 2, this
Thursday 24th July @ 7.30pm
At Sheehy Park Listowel. Listowel Emmets v Asdee/Ballylongford
Next round of the Credit Union County League Division 5 Asdee senior footballers will be away at J. P. O Sullivan Park, Killorglin against Laune Rangers “B” on Saturday/Sunday July 26th/27th.
SHANNON RANGERS. Its been a very successful season so far for the Shannon Rangers Club with plenty representation from the local club at all levels. On Wednesday evening last at O Rahilly Park, Ballylongford the Minor tean got their campaign in the County Championship of to the perfect start with a 2-12 to 2-8 win over a fancied East Kerry side. They will now be out again in round 3 on Friday July 18th. At Under 21 level Shannon Rangers will be expected to get over the challenge of St. Brendans in their first round game which is penciled in for Monday July 21st in Ardfert. However I suppose pride of place must go to the Shannon Rangers senior side who qualified for the quarter finals a feat they have not accomplished for over a 15 to 20 year period. St. Michaels/Foilmore fell victim to a 2-12 to 0-12 victory at O Rahilly Park Ballylongford on Sunday last and now await the draw for the next round.
WEBSITES. Asdee G A A is now up and running so for all our activities and match reports; just log on to www.asdeegaa.com