SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP RD1 SPA 3-9 DINGLE 0-13
Spa got their Senior Club Championship campaign off to a good start on Saturday evening as they overcame Dingle GAA in the opening round of the 2022 Kerry Petroleum Club Championships. Despite what the final score-line might suggest, it was a close game throughout that had a slow-paced opening half but plenty of action in the second half. The evening began with a minute silence for Tipperary hurler Dillon Quirke RIP who passed away suddenly on Friday evening.

Dingle were first off the mark and their opening point from Paul Geaney in the second minute would be the only time they led during the game. Spa responded with three from Mike Foley (2f) and a superb ‘45 from centre back Shane Cronin to lead by 0-4 to 0-1 at the end of the first quarter. The first half was played very defensively, teams in possession building up each attack slowly. Barra Ó Súilleabháin added a Dingle point from a mark in the 23rd minute before the first Spa goal just before the break, the brilliant Liam Kearney turning over the ball inside the Dingle ‘45 and laying off to David Spillane who charged at goal, rounding one defender and then the keeper to raise the first green flag for Spa. Dingle added one more before the break, Pádraig Mac a’tSíthigh with the point, and by the half time whistle Spa were leading 1-4 to 0-3.

Dingle burst out of the traps in the second half and although Evan Cronin kicked over a lovely point right after the throw in, Dingle soon found their form and quickly had four more points on the board, Paul Geaney with the first two and Dylan Geaney with two more. Mike Foley settled the Spa side when he collected a short free and tapped the ball over the bar but Pádraig Mac a’tSíthigh replied immediately for Dingle. By the end of the third quarter, Spa were leading by just the minimum, 1-6 to 0-8.

Mike Foley (2) and Paul Geaney exchanged points before Liam Kearney was bearing down on the Dingle goal. He was brought to the ground in the 49th minute, Dingle’s Ruan McCarthy sent to the sidelines on a black card and David Spillane blasting home the resulting penalty to give Spa a bit of breathing room, 2-8 to 0-9 with ten minutes remaining. Dingle fought back however, Mikey Geaney and Paul Geaney reducing the deficit to put just a goal between the sides with five minutes remaining.

Spa kept their composure and showed great character as the ball moved from player to player while setting up their next move on the Dingle goal. In the 60th minute David Spillane was again bursting forward towards the Dingle goal and played across to Ciaran Spillane who was ready at the edge of the square. Ciarán’s shot was well blocked, but Ryan O’Carroll was waiting in the wings and got a shot off the loose ball to finish the third Spa goal. Injury time points from Paul Geaney and Cathal Ó Bambaire followed, and Spa’s Liam Spillane hit the final score of the day in the 65th minute.

Spa: James Devane, Eric O'Donoghue, Dan O'Donoghue, Eoin Fitzgerald, Shane Lynch, Shane Cronin (0-1 ‘45), Gary Vaughan, Liam Kearney, Ciaran Spillane, Ryan O'Carroll (1-0), Evan Cronin (0-1), Conor Stack, Cian Murphy, Michael Foley (0-6 (4f)), David Spillane (2-0 (1P). Subs: Brian Lynch, Cian Tobin, Michael O'Donoghue, Liam Spillane (0-1)

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP RD2 & RD3 FIXTURES
Senior Club Championship Rd2 & Rd3 fixtures confirmed:

Rd2 Saturday August 13th Spa v Kenmare Shamrocks at 7pm (in Spa)
Rd3 August 20th/21st v Na Gaeil (away)

DONAL CURTIN CUP FINAL
The Spa Senior Ladies turned out for the Final of the Donal Curtin Cup on Wednesday 27th July in Fitzgerald Stadium. Playing conditions were good. This was always going to be one of our toughest games to date, but the Spa Ladies knew what was ahead of them and were ready for the challenge.

The Spa Ladies settled into their game after 15 minutes and scored 4 points before the half time whistle. Score at half time Crokes 0-6 to Spa 0-4. The game changed completely in the second half and Spa displayed fantastic team effort and played great attacking football to lead the game by a point. Crokes responded quickly and put the ball over the bar to equalise the game 5 mins before the final whistle. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be for the Spa Senior Ladies when shortly before the final whistle was blown Crokes scored the winning point. Final score Spa 1-5 to Crokes 0-9. Congratulations to Dr Crokes on their win. Although disappointing, it was great to see such improvement since the start of the competition and to see the Spa Senior Ladies panel getting stronger with returning and new players. Up next for the ladies is Junior Championship later this month.

SUCCESS FOR KERRY COMHALTAS AT FLEADH
Congratulations to all the Kerry competitors, especially all our Spa members, who took part in Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Mullingar last week.

CO MINOR CHAMPIONSHIP
Good luck to the East Kerry minor team who play South Kerry this Monday August 8th in the Co. Minor Championship Quarter Final (6.30pm in Killorglin). Special mention to the Spa members with the team Oran O'Neill, Timmy Moynihan, Aidan Cronin, Luke O'Neill, Danny Coffey, Emmett Spillane, Cian Russell and mentor John O'Neill.

EAST KERRY JUNIOR LEAGUE
East Kerry Junior League continues this Tuesday August 9th with Spa away to Scartaglen (7.30pm).

SPA GAA LOTTO
Lotto Results 01/08/22: Numbers Drawn 4, 9, 11, 28. No winner and €50 Lucky Dips to Aoife Sheehan, Margaret McAuliffe, John Hannon and Pat Somers. Annual ticket holders monthly draw winners – Anna & Roddy O’Donoghue.

This week's JACKPOT is €6,600 and tickets on sale online on spagaa.com or in usual outlets. Thank you for your continued support.

ITEMS FOR NOTES
Any items for the Spa notes please contact the club PRO on 085 1216359 or pro.spa.kerry@gaa.ie before 8pm on Sundays.