Féile Weekend
A great weekend of football held in Kerry over the weekend. Spa started their campaign at home on Friday with the opening game against Gneeveguilla. Next up in our group was Shondonagh, Co. Westmeath. On Sat we met our, host club St. Mary’s, Kiltoghert Co. Leitrim which was the last game of our group. Later that day we played Brosna in Cordal in the Shield. Unfortunately, we didn’t win but that didn’t dampen the spirits of our young players. A credit to their families as all players behaved impeccably throughout the weekend. The parade on Saturday evening throughout the town was a brilliant experience with a great atmosphere. Huge support for all teams. Sunday ended with a great surprise when President of the GAA Aogán O’Fearghaíl visited the clubhouse to meet the teams. A great success with huge thanks to the players, organising committee, Coiste na nOg, 11 host families, parents, coaches, volunteers at the BBQ, First Aiders, Officers, referees, East Kerry, Kerry GAA. Special mention to Donal Barry, secretary of Feile South West and Mike Piggott for fixtures. Well done to all involved.
Minor East Kerry League
Spa 3-11 Beaufort 3-5
Spa played Beaufort away in the first round of the minor east Kerry league with the away team starting off the brighter with Stephen McKenna outstanding at full back rushing into a 4 point lead. On the resumption the imperious David Spillane scored a fantastic individual goal from midfield putting Spa in the driving seat. Inspirational scores from Gary Vaughan and the injured Niall McCarthy drove on the boys in blue. Beaufort fought courageously back but Spa held on for a win.
Team: Colman Hickey, Mike Shannon, Stephen McKenna, Daniel Horgan, Fionan Walsh, Eoghan Cronin,
Conor Stack, David Spillane, Oran Claffey, Sean Cahill, Dion Marcus, Eoin O’Carroll, Mike Kearney, Gary Vaughan, Mikey Aherne.Sub: Niall McCarthy.
U-21 County Championship
Spa 1-13 Dr Crokes 2-12
Spa put in a great performance to take the game right to the final minutes. Michael Foley, Evan Cronin and Niall McCarthy gave Spa the early advantage and we had three goal efforts superbly blocked, but Crokes hit back and rattled the net twice in the opening half. Additional points from Evan (2), Mike McCarthy, Conor Kearney and Dan O’Donoghue and Spa trailed 0-9 to 2-5 at half time. Spa opened the second half with a penalty and the teams were level for much of the remainder of the game, but injury hampered their efforts and despite four more points from Evan Cronin, Crokes edged ahead at the end to progress to the next round.Team: Aaron Farrell, Conor Cronin, Timmy Hussey, Eoin Fitzgerald, Shane Cronin, Dan O’Donoghue (0-1),David Spillane, Mike McCarthy (0-1),Ciaran Spillane, Dion Marcos, Conor Kearney (0-1), Aydan Mulvaney, Michael Foley (0-1), Evan Cronin (1-8),Niall McCarthy (0-1).Subs: Michael Shannon, Micheál Kearney. Wishing a speedy recovery to our injured players.
Minor East Kerry League
Spa 3-14 Beaufort 3-6
Our minors began the league with an away win to Beaufort last Thursday night. Fixtures for the next rounds TBC.