Club Notes (November 21st 2022)
O'DONOGHUE CUP RD1 SPA 1-12 RATHMORE 0-8
Spa travelled to Rathbeg on Saturday evening for the opening round of this year's O'Donoghue Cup Championship. While it was the first competitive game for Spa in two months, newly crowned Intermediate champions Rathmore were missing a few players on the night, so it was a hard one to call. Conditions were very wintry, cold and some heavy showers, which did effect the quality of football on the night.
Well done to the team and management. Match report - click here
O'DONOGHUE CUP QUARTER FINAL
O'Donoghue Cup Championship quarter-final Spa v Listry next Sunday November 27th (2pm in Spa).
U15 EAST KERRY DIV2 FINAL SPA 1-5 KILCUMMIN 2-8
Our U15’s rounded off the season with an East Kerry final on Sunday morning played in Dr. Crokes pitch against near neighbours Kilcummin. Unfortunately, the boys came out the wrong side of the result, however this young group reached 3 finals this year winning 2 and losing 1 so all in all it was a very promising year. With 9 U13’s making up the squad and 5 starting on the day it was a great achievement to get to the final. Congratulations to Kilcummin who deserved the win in the end. Our boys can hold their heads up high and had an excellent year. The young lads can look forward to the U15 campaign next year and the older lads will team up with the minors.
EAST KERRY LGFA U15 DISTRICT FINAL
East Kerry played Mid Kerry in the Kerry LGFA U15’s District County Final in Fossa this weekend. Spa had four girls on the panel, Maggie May O’Donoghue, Lara O’Neill, Síofra Brosnan and Grace O’Shea. It was a great display of football on a damp and very blustery day and that gusty wind definitely contributed to East Kerry’s wides in the first half which allowed Mid Kerry to edge in front at half time with a score of 2-09 to 2-05.
In the second half Mid Kerry seem to settle into a rhythm with great pace on the ball, excellent passing finished with accurate kicking between the posts. East Kerry never gave up though and fought back bravely, right up to the last kick of the game where they awarded and scored their second penalty. A Mid Kerry win never really looked in doubt though and the final score line was 4-16 to 4-09 to Mid Kerry. It was a fantastic achievement for our Spa girls to make it onto the East Kerry panel.
A massive well done to Maggie May, Lara, Síofra and Grace, you are all a credit to your family and Spa Club.
SPA GIRLS ACHIEVE SUCCESS WITH EAST KERRY U13s
Kirsten Kenny and Ava Brosnan lined out with East Kerry U13’s last Sunday for the Kerry District U13 County Final against Mid Kerry. It was a well matched affair against two very strong teams and this showed in the first half when it was score for score throughout. The halftime score was 3-06 to 3-05 in favour of Mid Kerry but East Kerry started to edge in front in the second half and gradually opened a substantial lead. It was a fantastic game to watch with incredible skill on display from both sides. East Kerry finished the victors on a score line of 6-12 to 4-08. Our Spa girls were an integral part of this victory. Kirsten Kenny is a fantastic footballer who is a pleasure to coach. With her immense work rate, high skill level and fantastic ability to read a game, she is a huge asset to her team. The exact same can be said for Ava Brosnan, her energy, enthusiasm and passion for football is as infectious as her cheerful personality. Ava still has another year in U12’s so for someone so young to achieve this is truly incredible.
Well done to both Kirsten and Ava on this achievement and being such magnificent representatives of Spa GAA Club.
END OF YEAR NIGHT OUT FOR OUR SPA MINORS
Our Spa GAA minor team & management enjoyed an end of season get together tonight at The Caddyshack where they received their EK Minor League Division 2 medals. Well done to the players and the management team of Paul Casey, Des Spillane, James Fitzgerald and Eoin Fitzgerald on a great 2022 season.
KERRY WITH 5 LGFA ALL STARS
Congrats to all Kerry Ladies Gaelic Football players who received nominations and All Stars this year. Kerry have 5 players on the 2022 Ladies Gaelic Football All Star team - Kayleigh Cronin, Cait Lynch, Aishling O'Connell, Louise Ní Muircheartaigh, Niamh Carmody. Comhghairdeas libh.
SYMPATHIES
Our deepest condolences to Donagh, Colm, Eoin, Cormac and the Cronin and Mangan families on the passing of Margaret Cronin RIP, Coolcorcoran. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hAnam dílis.
31 CARD DRIVE CHAMPIONSHIP OF KERRY
Best of luck to all teams competing in the 31 Card Drive Championship of Kerry finals this Friday November 25th at the Torc Hotel.
DONIE O'SULLIVAN BOOK LAUNCH
Spa and Kerry footballing legend Donie O'Sullivan will be launching his autobiography - Donie O'Sullivan: A Footballer, Once - on Friday December 2nd 2022. Donie, along with Hero Books publishers, would like to extend an invite to everyone to come and join them on the night.
The launch will take place at the Spa GAA Clubhouse, Tullig, Killarney V93 KN53 at 7.30pm with special guests on the night. Refreshments will be served.
The autobiography, by Donie O'Sullivan with Jimmy O'Sullivan Darcy, will be on sale in Spa on the night but, as it is so close to Christmas, it will not be available in local bookstores for now. After the launch, it will be on sale only on Amazon, where it is available as an ebook, paperback and hardback. Everyone is invited to join us on the night for a celebration of Donie, his footballing career and his lasting legacy with Kerry GAA and Spa GAA.
We hope to see you there!
SPA GAA LOTTO
Lotto Results 14/11/22: Numbers Drawn: 6, 8, 18, 21. No winner and €50 Lucky Dips to Michelle Daly, John Lenihan, Kathleen Hobbins and Paudie O'Sullivan Darcy. The jackpot on Tuesday Nov 22nd is €9,600. Play online on spagaa.com - click here - or tickets on sale in usual outlets. Thank you for your continued support of Spa GAA Club.
CAIRDE SPA DRAW - WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
We are calling on everyone to support our Cairde Spa fundraising draw that’s running at the moment. This is a once-off draw to raise funds towards the development of our grounds and facilities.
There are 10 great prizes up for grabs, including over €20,000 in cash prizes, and the draw will take place this December. Tickets are on sale through our website spagaa.com or from club members and officers. Thank you as always for your ongoing support.
Any queries pls contact Andy on 0872236754 or Deirdre on 0851216359.
MUNSTER CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
Best of luck to all Kerry clubs involved in the Munster Club Football championship semi-finals this weekend.
Senior Club Championship Kerins O'Rahillys v Eire Óg Ennis (Sunday November 27th, 1pm in Austin Stack Park)
Intermediate Club Championship Rathmore v Kanturk (Saturday November 26th, 1pm in Pairc Uí Chaoimh)
Munster Junior Club Championship Fossa v Castlemahon (Saturday November 26th, 1pm venue TBC
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.