RETURN TO GAMES
Well done to all our teams and managements who have begun their 2021 leagues. Special mention to our hard-working Field Committee and CE Scheme members who have the pitches and grounds in such excellent condition ahead of the return to play.
CO LEAGUE DIV 1A SPA V KILCUMMIN
Spa began their Co League campaign with the short journey to Kilcummin on Sunday afternoon. An exciting first half had the sides level at the break, but a strong second half performance from Kilcummin, hitting an unanswered 1-5, left the result in no doubt.
A pointed free from Noel Duggan opened the scoring, but Spa were quickly on the attack, a Mike Foley goal shot just inches wide before points from Mike Stam O’Donoghue, Dan O’Donoghue and Mike Foley edged them into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead early on. Kieran Murphy kicked over Kilcummin’s second point but again Spa replied well, two points from Mike Stam O’Donoghue and a point from Niall McCarthy. A second point from Kilcummin midfielder Kieran Murphy made it 0-6 to 0-3 at the water break.
Mike Stam kicked his fourth of the day before Kilcummin raced towards goal at the other end, Gary O’Leary working the ball across the goalmouth for John McCarthy to finish to the back of the net. Shortly after, injury ruled Mike O’Donoghue out of the game, and as play resumed Kilcummin were again quickly heading for the Spa goal, James Devane with a great save on Kevin McCarthy’s goal shot and Kieran Murphy converting the resulting ‘45. Philip O’Leary pointed for Kilcummin before Cian Murphy worked a great ball in for Spa and David Spillane buried it in the back of the net to level the game. Kieran Murphy and Evan Cronin swapped scores, and at half time there was nothing between the sides at 1-8 apiece.
Evan Cronin pointed at the start of the second half to edge Spa in front, but Kilcummin hit a purple patch and kicked an unanswered 1-5, the goal from Noel Duggan and points from Kevin McCarthy, Kieran Murphy (2), Noel Duggan and Mikey O’Shea. A late Evan Cronin point was quickly cancelled out at the other end by Ritchie O’Connor, final score Spa 1-10 Kilcummin 2-14.
Wishing a speedy recovery to Mike Stam O’Donoghue.
Our senior team will be home to Austin Stacks next Saturday evening June 19th at 7.30pm.
Spa: James Devane, Eric O’Donoghue, Eoin Fitzgerald, Eoin Cronin, Ryan O’Carroll, Dan O’Donoghue, Niall O’Mahony, Shane Cronin, Ciaran Spillane, Cian Murphy, Michael O’Donoghue, Niall McCarthy, Michael Foley, Evan Cronin, David Spillane. Subs: Mikey Moynihan, Shane Lynch
CO LEAGUE DIV 6C SPA B V NA GAEIL B
Spa B hosted Na Gaeil B on Saturday evening in the opening game of the 2021 Co League.
Na Gaeil were quick off the mark with a Declan Cooney point before Shawn Duggan pulled off a great save on Paul Cahill's early goal shot for Spa. Jack Bourke and Paul Cahill swapped scores before Ruairi O’Sullivan netted the first goal for the visitors in the 13th minute. Paul Cahill and Tadhg Reen exchanged points before Jack Bourke kicked Na Gaeil's second goal after 20 minutes of play. Paul Cahill and Thomas Fleming added two more for Spa while Cian Devine and Tadhg Reen added two more for Na Gaeil, and at half time it was Spa B 0-4 Na Gaeil B 2-5.
Colm Hickey goaled for Spa right from the throw in and Paul Cahill added another point, but Na Gaeil replied with scores from Aaron Dewey (2), Dylan Burke and Tadhg Reen to make it 1-5 to 2-10 at the second half water break. Paul Cahill added another for Spa and two more for Na Gaeil from Declan Cooney and Aaron Dewey finished the game at Spa B 1-6 Na Gaeil B 2-12.
In the next round Spa are away to Castleisland Desmonds next Sunday June 20th at 2pm.
Spa Team & subs: Andrew Garnett, Brendan Lynch, Brian Devane, John McKenna, Michael Kearney, Diarmuid Cahill, Eoghan Cronin, Calum Neher, Thomas Fleming, Paul Cahill, Thomas Cronin, Conor Kerins, Paul O'Sullivan, Conor Brosnan, Colm Hickey, Kevin O'Sullivan, Alan O'Sullivan, Mikey Aherne
MINOR CO LEAGUE SPA V AN GHAELTACHT
Our first competitive game of the year took place on Monday night when the Spa minors travelled to Gallarus to play An Ghaeltacht in the opening round of the minor co league. It was a tough battle in windy conditions and by half time Spa were trailing 1-5 to 0-5.
Playing with the breeze in the second half, there was still a three-point gap at the end of the third quarter with An Ghaeltacht ahead 1-8 to 1-5. At one stage we were by 5 points down but by the second half water break the teams were level at 1-8 to 2-5, the second half Spa goals from Donagh Fahy and Ryan McCarthy.
A very exciting last few minutes as the sides remained tied at 1-9 to 2-6. A late Spa point secured the victory, full time score Spa 2-7 An Ghaeltacht 1-9. Well done to the team and the mentors Pat Cronin and Paul Casey. In the next round our minors will be home to St Senans next Monday June 14th at 7.30pm.
U15 CO LEAGUE SPA V LEGION
Our U15 boys made the short journey to local neighbours Killarney Legion last Wednesday for the first outing of 2021. On a beautiful summer’s evening our boys started slowly and conceded 3 quick goals in the first quarter, but we added one ourselves leaving a lot to do in the remainder of the game.
Our second quarter saw the boys step up a gear and edge into an 8 point lead which in the end they never relinquished, leading at half time by 8 pts.
The second half saw the home side get on top and got the deficit down to two at one stage, however our boys hung on for an excellent win.
Thanks to Killarney Legion for being great hosts and a very hard fought game which could have gone either way at a number of occasions. Well done to our boys and management, excellent start to the year. FT Legion 4-6 Spa 4-9
Panel on the night: Conor Sowerby, Darragh Brosnan, Danny Coffey, Kris O’Leary, Lucas Sowerby, Cian Russell, Liam O Leary, Shane O’Sullivan, Fionn Daly, Joey McCarthy, Aidan Cronin(Captain), Luke Doolan, Adam Herlihy, Emmet Spillane, Jack O’Donoghue, Cathal Mackey, Maurice Joy.
Missing - Oran O’Neill, JJ O’Donoghue, Vincent Oliveras
U14 GIRLS SPA V LAUNE RANGERS B
Spa u14 ladies hosted Laune Rangers B last Thursday in Spa and what a thrilling encounter it was. A very exciting and well-matched affair. Spa started very well and opened the score line with a fantastic goal from Caoimhe O’Neill. This set the trend for the rest of the game as Spa led for most of it with scores coming from Lara O’Neill, Ciara O’Sullivan and Angelina Kenny.
A strong midfield performance from Ciara O’Sullivan and Maggie May O’Donoghue kept feeding great ball into the forwards. A brilliant display from the backs especially Emily-Kate Waters, Muireann Spillane, Síofra Brosnan and Casey Mulry kept a strong Laune Rangers at bay. There was a fantastic display of football from both sides with Spa proving the strongest as they had to fight an incredibly though wind in the second half.
Spa u14’s ladies travel to Currow next week. Spa 4-7 Laune Ranger B 4-4.
Scorers for Spa were Caoimhe O’Neill (1-3), Lara O’Neill (3-1), Angelina Kenny (0-2) and Ciara O’Sullivan (0-1).
KERRY LADIES NATIONAL LEAGUE
In a thrilling match on Saturday the Kerry Ladies defeated Monaghan in the NFL semi-final after a dramatic shootout. The sides were level at full time and at the end of extra time with Kerry Ladies winning by one point in the shootout. They play Meath on Saturday June 26th in Croke Park at 5pm in the NFL Division 2 Final. Well done to all, especially Spa’s Niamh Kearney and Cassandra Buckley.
NATIONAL LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL
Congratulations to the Kerry team & management on their win over Tyrone last Saturday in the National League semi-final, especially our two Spa players Dara Moynihan and Liam Kearney. Due to Munster Championship kicking off in a couple of weeks there will be no NFL Final this year.
SPA LOTTO RESULTS 07/06/21
Numbers drawn: 10, 17, 22, 28. No winner and €50 Lucky Dips go to William & Breda Herlihy, Joan Corcoran Kerins, Sinead Herlihy and Nicola Breen.
Next week's JACKPOT is €5,200.
Tickets on sale online on spagaa.com or from Dalys Supervalu, Killarney Hardware, Centra Muckross Rd, Spa clubhouse or from usual sellers. Thank you to everyone for your continued support for our club lotto.
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Monday June 14th Minor Co League Spa v St Senans (home, 7.30pm)
Wednesday June 16th U15 Co League Spa v Ardfert (away, 7pm)
Thursday June 17th U11 Go Games Spa v Rathmore (away, 6.30pm)
Thursday June 17th U14 Girls Spa v Currow (away, 6.30pm)
Saturday June 19th Co League Div 1A Spa v Austin Stacks (home, 7.30pm)
Sunday June 20th Co League Div 6C Spa B v Desmonds B (away, 2pm)
Sunday June 20th U13 Co League Spa v Milltown Castlemaine (home, 6pm)
Best of luck to all teams and managements. Reminder that a maximum of 100 spectators allowed attend games.
EAST KERRY JUNIOR LEAGUE
The fixtures for this year’s East Kerry Junior League have been announced. Spa are in Group 2 with Dr Crokes C, Firies and KIlcummin. The fixtures are:
Tuesday June 22nd Spa v Dr Crokes C (away, 7.30pm)
Tuesday June 29th Spa v Kilcummin (home, 7.30pm)
Tuesday July 6th Spa v Firies (TBC)
JUVENILE TRAINING
Juvenile training continues each week. Spa GAA is open to everyone in Killarney parish and new members are always welcome. Contact the coaches or Coiste na nÓg Secretary Denise on 0871385612 or spacoistenanog@gmail.com with any queries.
SPA MERCHANDISE SHOP
The Spa GAA merchandise shop (top of the stairs in reception) will be open on Saturday mornings from 10am - 11am. Any queries on gear for adults or juveniles please contact Mathilda on 087 6487356.
REGISTRATION
Final call for registration as the deadline is May 31st. Anyone who has yet to register please do immediately on www.spagaa.com
ITEMS FOR NOTES
Any items for the club notes please contact pro.spa.kerry@gaa.ie or 0851216359 before 8pm on Sundays.