O’DONOGHUE CUP SEMI FINAL SPA 3-11 GLENFLESK 0-15 
As the saying goes - goals win games - and this was certainly true on Saturday afternoon in a sunny Fitzgerald Stadium as Spa defeated Glenflesk 3-11 to 0-15 in the 2020 O’Donoghue Cup East Kerry senior championship semi-final. 

Spa opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a point from Evan Cronin, Niall O’Mahony adding another a minute later. Glenflesk's Darragh Roche, with an impressive total of 13 points on the day, opened the Glenflesk account from a free in the 7th minute. Shane Cronin quickly responded with a long sprint up the pitch and punching over the bar. A long range effort from Roche landed right between the posts for Glenflesk's second point, but Mike Foley quickly replied for Spa with a 21 yard free from out near the sideline. Evan Cronin added another and at the first water break Spa were 0-5 to 0-2 ahead. 

Glenflesk had a strong second quarter, kicking five unanswered points in quick succession, Patrick D’Arcy, Darragh Roche (3) and then Brian O’Donoghue with a stunning curling shot. Mike Foley pulled one back for Spa before the first goal in the 29th minute, a great run from Shane Cronin worked into the attacking forward line, finishing in the hands of Cian Tobin who blasted to the back of the net. At half time, Spa had re-taken the lead at 1-6 to 0-7. 

Within the first minute of the second half Spa were again descending on the Glenflesk goal, Dara Moynihan lobbing the keeper to make it 2-6 to 0-7. Cian Tobin, Dan O’Donoghue and Evan Cronin exchanged points with Darragh Roche (4) before Mike Foley landed a pass into Niall McCarthy and he finished it to the back of the Glenflesk net at the end of the third quarter, Spa leading by 3-9 to 0-12 at the second half water break. 

Three great scores from Darragh Roche soon followed to put just a goal between the sides as the game was drawing to a close. Spa needed that extra score and in the second minute of injury time Shane Cronin with another sprint up the field punched over the bar. Spa had one final attack with Dara Moynihan working the ball in towards goal and Ryan O’Carroll jumping high to knock it over the bar. Full time score Spa 3-11 Glenflesk 0-15. 

Spa are through to their first O’Donoghue Cup Final since 1989 and will play Dr Crokes on Sunday December 12th (2pm in Fitzgerald Stadium). 

The Aquila Club Man of the Match Award was presented to Glenflesk’s Darragh Roche after the game. 

Spa: James Devane, Brian Lynch, Eoin Fitzgerald, Shane Lynch, Shane Cronin (0-2), Dan O’Donoghue (0-1), Ryan O’Carroll (0-1), Ciaran Spillane, Eoghan Cronin, Niall O’Mahony (0-1), Michael Foley (0-2f), Dara Moynihan (1-0), Niall McCarthy (1-0), Evan Cronin (0-3(2f)), Cian Tobin (1-1). Subs: Gary Vaughan, Cian Murphy 

 

SPA GAA 2022 CLUB CALENDAR 
2022 Spa GAA club calendars on sale now (€10 each) and can be purchased

• on spagaa.com/shop with click & collect or post options available

• at the clubhouse this Tuesday (7-8pm) or Thursday (7-8pm) *cash or card payment accepted

Our thanks to calendar sponsors Igloo Memories & Kerry Physiotherapy Centre.

Any queries please contact 085 1216359 or pro.spa.kerry@gaa.ie  

 

UPDATE ON THE CARD DRIVE FUNDRAISER 
In early 2020 a group from Spa GAA club organised a special fundraiser for Comfort for Chemo in memory of club member Johnny Batt Cronin who passed away in 2019. A number of teams entered the Card Drive and it started in early 2020. Most, but not all, of the early rounds were played before Covid put a halt to things. When the pandemic struck, the group were forced to delay the next stages of the competition. With continuing delays and postponements since that time, they have now decided to cancel the card drive and make a donation to Comfort for Chemo of the money that was collected at the time. The cheque presentation will take place this week. A spot prize draw for those who participated was held in the Spa GAA clubhouse on Tuesday November 23rd 2021. The prize-winning teams are: 

• €100 Voucher for the Great Southern Hotel: John Kerins & Tim McCarthy 

• €100 Voucher for the Great Southern Hotel: Con Lynch & Alan Cronin 

• €100 Voucher for the Great Southern Hotel: Finbarr Godfrey & Tim Regan 

• €50 Voucher (each) for Killarney Carpets & Furniture Centre: Seanie Kelliher & Connie Doolan 

• Bottle of Whiskey & Bottle of Wine: Peter Cahill & Barry Duggan 

Thank you also to the other sponsors: Skellig Hotel Dingle, Kennelly's Pharmacy, Hegarty's Spar Muckross Rd, Daly's Supervalu, Killarney Oil, O'Leary's Electrical, Paul Herlihy Contractor, Liam Chute, Killarney Oaks Hotel and Bowler's Centra, Tralee Rd. 

We wish to thank all our sponsors and all those who played cards, we appreciate your support for this very worthy cause! 

 

2022 MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIP 
The 2022 Munster Championship draw took place over the weekend, with Kerry due to play Cork (in Pairc Uí Chaoimh) in next year’s Munster Senior Football semi-final. In the other semi-final the winner of Tipperary/Waterford will play the winner of Clare/Limerick.  

 

SPA KILLARNEY HANDBALL CLUB TOURNAMENT
Spa Killarney Handball club will be holding a tournament in the Sports Hall this Monday November 29th at 7pm. The tournament is for beginner and advanced players and spectators welcome to come along and watch. 

SANTA’S POSTBOX IS BACK IN SPA
Santa’s coming! His postbox is ready for all the boys and girls letters to be delivered in time for Christmas. The postbox is located at the entrance of the clubhouse and when posting your letter, why not take a photo and send to Coiste na nóg PRO Anne on 085 7780883.  

 

GOOD LUCK 
Best wishes to Ian O’Connell this week as he starts his new Wednesday evening show on Radio Kerry. The first broadcast will be this Wednesday December 1st from 8 - 9pm and the name of the show is “Stand Out with Ian O’Connell".

Each week Ian will be interviewing a different guest, someone who has faced adversity or overcome obstacles, achieved great things in their lifetime or someone who has an interesting story to tell.  

 

EAST KERRY MINOR B CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL SPA 0-13 FOSSA 3-12
This game was a lot closer than the final scoreline suggests. Two Fossa goals in the final ten minutes was the difference as the teams were closely matched throughout in an entertaining and hotly-contested semi-final. Fossa had the better opening half and led by 1-7 to 0-6 at half time, but a strong third quarter from Spa brought us to within a point late in the game.

Well done to our minor team and management of Patrick Cronin, Paul Casey & Des Spillane. 

Spa panel: Jack O’Sullivan, Donal Hickey, Rian O’Neill, Danny Coffey, Cian Russell, Aaron O’Connor, Evan O’Neill, Donagh Fahy, Oran O’Neill, Timmy Moynihan, Oran Daly, Luke O’Neill, Aidan Cronin, Ryan McCarthy, Cormac Walsh, Emmett Spillane, Chris Healy, David O’Sullivan, Joey McCarthy, Stephen Wickham.  

 

WIN A HOUSE WITH KERRY GAA
Tickets for the Win A House With Kerry GAA draw are available on kerrygaa.ie, in the Kerry GAA Store in the Outlet Centre or from our club Secretary Patrick (087 6332773) or from Co Board Officer John O’Leary (086 3026041). 

When entering your details don’t forget to mention your club SPA GAA in the ‘Additional Information’ section as your club could also win up to €1,500.

The sooner you purchase a ticket, the more draws you will be included in.   

  

SPA LOTTO RESULTS 22/11/21
Numbers drawn: 7, 9, 10, 15. No winner and €50 lucky dips to Diarmuid Kelleher, John Hannon, Kathleen Kelly and Kitty Moynihan.

Next Monday’s jackpot is €5,200 and 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.     

ITEMS FOR NOTES
Any items for the club notes please contact pro.spa.kerry@gaa.ie or 0851216359 before 8pm on Sundays.