Kerry to enter team in women's soccer league

Kerry FC have confirmed that they will be entering a team into the Women’s Under 17 League of Ireland Academy from the 2024 season onwards.

“We hope that this new pathway for women footballers in the county will ignite the women’s game here in Kerry and give players the chance to prove themselves on a national front,” an official statement read.

Kerry FC Head of Academy Damian Locke added that he is “delighted to have our application into the 2024 WU17 LOI

Academy accepted”.

“There is great work being done both within grassroots clubs and at the FAI Centre of Excellence over the past number of years. Providing this platform for girls to have equal opportunity as our academy boys has been a priority of the club since we joined the League of Ireland.

“It’s a very exciting time for women’s football in our county as it’s been the common practice for girls from Kerry to travel around the country to play in the Women’s League of Ireland over recent years, but that will no longer be required.”

John Doyle sadly passed away 10 years ago following a long battle with illness and to mark the anniversary of his death, a charity match will take place at Celtic Park on Wednesday, July 26 with all proceeds going to Comfort for Chemo Kerry.

“This will be a fantastic occasion to remember a fantastic guy and we’re all looking forward to it so much as it should attract a capacity crowd for a great cause,” said Karl McMahon, a friend of John’s and one of the organisers of the event.

“We are very grateful to Billy Dennehy and Kerry FC for taking time out from their first year in the League of Ireland, and in the middle of a hectic season, to facilitate this game.”

Celtic are currently on a high after completing an unprecedented five Kerry league and cup doubles in a row, while Kerry will be bringing plenty of League of Ireland calibre talent to Celtic Park. Poignantly, the game will unfold in front of the John Doyle Stand.

A solid all-round performer, John was also a very accomplished Gaelic footballer with Spa and he won an All-Ireland Hogan Cup medal with St Brendan’s College in 1992.

There will be an auction at half-time with prizes including gear donated by Kerry GAA stars David and Paudie Clifford, a Kerry jersey signed and donated by the great Colm Cooper, a jersey donated by former Manchester United star and current Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster, and other wonderful items.

Guests of honour at the game will be John’s wife Lynda, daughter Ruth and members of the extended Doyle family, as well as many former teammates and friends who remember a very fine gentleman and a brilliant sportsman.

The memorial game, sponsored by Killarney Kenmare and Caherciveen Credit Union, the Sheehan Group, and Utility Plus, is being organised by a committee made up of John’s great friends. It is spearheaded by Karl McMahon and also includes Killarney Celtic Chairman Tim Jones and club stalwarts Niall O’Callaghan, Noel Brosnan and Tom Meehan.

Tickets (€10 for adults and €5 for under 16s) are available from Tim Jones Butchers, the Fáilte Hotel, Killarney Credit Union and several other outlets as well as from any of the organising committee.