Coiste na nÓg
Spa played St Marys at home last Wednesday night missing a few regulars and put in a excellent performance. The boys in blue were tenacious in defence with imperious Ruairi O’Keeffe standing out and Adam Kelly in goals pulling off fantastic saves.The first half was tit for tat with only 2 points separating the teams at half time. However on the resumption the Spa midfield took over with Evan Jones netting 2 goals and Sean Cahill getting another. At wing forward Tomas Cronin was now getting on the end of a lot of ball scoring 4 points from play. A further goal by Michael Horgan put the game beyond doubt giving the home side a well deserved victory of 4-10 to 1-09 to go top of the table. Spa play Ardfert away next Wednesday night at 7pm. Team: Adam Kelly, Alan O’Sullivan, Jordan Leahy, James Lynch, Ruairi O’Keeffe, Michael Kearney, Stephen McKenna, Evan Jones, Sean Cahill, Tomas Cronin, Keelan Deeganm Connie Cremin, Michael Horgan, Cian Fahy, Ian O’Connell. Subs: Oliver Cremin, Conor Brosnan, Cian Murphy, Daniel O’Sullivan. East Kerry progress to the semi final of County Minor Championship with a 2-13 to 1-7 win over Dr Crokes last Wednesday in Rathmore. Well done to all especially our Spa players Eoghan Cronin, David Spillane (Capt) , Dara Moynihan, Dion Marcos and Niall McCarthy! All played well on the night.
Upcoming Fixtures
Senior Co League
Spa v Finuge Saturday August 20th at 7pm.
Sponsorship
Daly's Supervalu presented some with new jerseys during the week. John Daly was on hand to present the senior men, senior Ladies, juniors, U-16 boys and underage jerseys. We are grateful for their continued support and long may it continue.
Ladies Football
Senior ladies played Kilcummin in Rd 7 of the County league away. Lost to a stronger team.
U-16 Girls, travelled to Dingle last week winning with a very impressive scoreline over Dingle/Castlegregory.
Mass for Deceased Members
August 11th at 7pm (see below under 1966 Re-Union).
Spa to Celebrate 1966 O'Donoghue Cup Victory
Will be on Thursday August 11th at 7pm at the Spa Clubhouse - all are welcome!
Following their successful era of the 1950s, due to emigration, retirements and a lack of a proper underage structure, the Spa club went into gradual decline and became defunct for a 4 year period, which saw many of their players assisting St Finian's in East Kerry competitions.
The first tentative steps in the revival of the club came in 1963 when a Spa/Glenflesk amalgamation won the East Kerry Minor League, and this victory, which coincided with the decision by St Finian's not to continue to compete in East Kerry competitions, heralded the revival of the Spa club.
At the club AGM in the old Macra Hall in March 1966 a decision was taken to enter the senior East Kerry League for the O'Donoghue Cup.
After a narrow victory over Currow in their opening game, they were defeated by Listry in the next round and their future in the competition very much hinged on what was to be a crucial clash with Gneeveguilla. Conscious of their plight, the team prepared well for this game and, after a titanic struggle, Spa emerged victorious by the narrowest of margins.
After defeating Rathmore in the next round on July 20th, the scene was set for an O'Donoghue Cup final against a fancied Kilcummin side, and again, after another titanic struggle, and a cracking Paddy Dennehy goal in the 20th minute, the Cup was on its way to Spa for the first time.
At the next EKB meeting, it was decided to initiate a knock-out competition commencing in early September, and once again a narrow victory over Dr Crokes paved the way for the side to progress to the final on Easter Sunday 1967, and Spa were now winners of both the League and the knock-out competition, which was to be the format for the O'Donoghue Cup competition over the subsequent 50 years - a competition which Spa won on a further nine occasions.
What makes the 1966 victory so special is that it proved to be a motivating factor for the years ahead and those players, who went on to represent the club, developed a sense of achievement and self-belief that helped to sustain them in subsequent years.
On Thursday August 11th the surviving members of the panel, and representatives of those who have passed away in the interim period, will assemble at Spa clubhouse for a special reunion function during which mass will be celebrated at 7pm by one of the playing members of the side, Fr Michael O'Donoghue.
Everyone is welcome to come and join in the celebration.