McMahon the star as Kerry clinch U18 title

The disappointment of losing the All-Ireland title to Dublin is still very raw but there has been consolation for other wearers of the green and gold. Kerry LGFA won the All-Ireland U18 B championship at windy Nenagh on Saturday last after beating Sligo by 2-6 to 1-6.

It was indeed a proud moment for captain Róisín Rahilly to raise the cup. It was also special for Leah McMahon, the young Killarney lady who was awarded Laoch an hImeartha for an outstanding display at number 11. Leah scored just one point but was rewarded for the excellence of her playmaking skills. She was the one that made it all happen for Kerry, especially in the first half when Kerry took the initiative. She created the goals finished by Amy Curtin in the 9th minute and Julia Curtin in the 14th minute.

Kerry were in in command by half-time, 2-2 to 0-3. Sligo did stage a comeback and were just a point adrift with 14 minutes left to play. Kerry responded in style and tagged on the winning scores. Hopefully, that will be a good omen for the Kerry senior ladies in Croke Park on Sunday.

Support

Councillor Marie Moloney was also present at the team’s meet and greet, wearing a green and gold outfit to show her support.

“I am very impressed with the girls,” she said. “They are a good team: in fact they are a great team and they have shown that already. I do believe that they are good enough to bring home the Cup. I’d say they’ll win by three points. It would make up for the disappointment of the Kerry supporters when Dublin won the Sam Maguire. But sure, look the Kerry players did their best and you can’t ask for any more from anyone. They will prepare for the big test again next year. “In the meantime, the ladies will do us proud.”

The last word goes to a very special Cork woman, Joanne O’Riordan, a member of the Legion club executive who also attended the open day.

“I’m a Cork woman from over the border, but I still support Kerry all the way. I was at the men’s final and once David Clifford was not firing to his usual standards the pressure was on the other forwards. We will have to leave it to the Kerry women next Sunday. Dublin are a very slick team and very physical.

“I work with a Cork woman in our office, and she says that the sheer physicality of Dublin makes them a huge challenge for any team including Kerry who did so well all year. The loss of captain Síofra is a huge challenge, but these Kerry ladies are up for that challenge, and they have my backing to face up to it on Sunday.”

There will be a big following from Kerry and fans from Killarney can join the Kerry Supporters bus at Daly’s Park Rd at 9am on Sunday morning.

The club football season kicks off in a major way this weekend with a full set of fixtures in all four grades of the Kerry Club Championships.

The senior competition is set to be fiercely contested with no real standout team – at least not yet.

Defending champions Kerins O’Rahillys, who defeated Templenoe by a single point in last year’s final, have been drawn in a perilous-looking Group 2 alongside Rathmore, Dingle and Dr Crokes. Rahillys face Rathmore in their championship opener on Saturday at 5pm in the Fitzgerald Stadium. The match will be streamed live on Clubber TV, the first major fixture to be shown as part of Kerry GAA’s groundbreaking 60-game-per-season deal with the online streaming platform. Dingle play Crokes in Austin Stack Park at 7pm. Both Group 1 games will be staged on Sunday with Kenmare playing Na Gaeil at 1.30pm in the Fitzgerald Stadium and Templenoe taking on Spa at 2pm in Kenmare. Kenmare v Na Gaeil will also be streamed by Clubber.

After all three teams in a given pool have played one another, first and second will progress to the semi-finals, while the bottom teams earn an unwanted spot in the relegation playoff.

Intermediate

The intermediate grade promises to be as keenly contested as ever, particularly with 2021 county champions Austin Stacks on the scene.

Stacks are in Group D alongside Ballydonoghue, Castleisland and Tralee rivals John Mitchels. They’re up against Ballydonoghue in Round 1 (Saturday 7pm, Listowel), as Mitchels square up to Desmonds in Ballymac (Saturday 7pm).

Two East Kerry clubs who are very keen on getting promoted back to senior –Legion and Kilcummin – are in Group C alongside Laune Rangers and Currow. Kilcummin are already up and running following last Saturday’s convincing nine-point victory over Rangers in Beaufort (2-14 to 1-8). Legion will be aiming to join them on two points when they play Currow in Farranfore on Sunday at 2pm.

Three teams from Mid Kerry have been pooled together in Group A: Beaufort, Glenbeigh-Glencar and Milltown/Castlemaine. They’re joined by Gneeveguilla, who take on Milltown/Castlemaine on Matchday 1 in Spa on Saturday (7pm). Beaufort and Glenbeigh-Glencar will meet in Killorglin on Sunday at 2pm. There will be plenty of interest in Group

B as the Clifford-inspired Fossa get their first taste of intermediate football following last year’s triumph at junior premier level. They play An Ghaeltacht at 5pm on Saturday at Austin Stack Park. This will form part of a double header with Crokes v Dingle, and like the senior match it will also be streamed. The other game in this pool sees St Mary’s face Glenflesk in Glenbeigh. That match takes place on Saturday at 7pm. The pick of the Junior Premier matches is in Group C as last year’s beaten finalists, Listry, take on Churchill on Saturday at 7pm in Currow. Fellow East Kerry club Firies are also in action at the same time. They play Ardfert in Strand Road in Group A.