Kilkenny ladies are back in football action on Sunday next when they travel to Clones to take on a very strong Fermanagh side in round 3 of the TG4 All-Ireland series. The game is being played as the opener to the Ulster final mens’ replay between Armagh and Fermanagh.
The Ernesiders will prove to be tough opposition coming off the back of their recent win over Cavan in the Ulster intermediate final and will be determined to get the day off to a good start before their male counterparts take on Armagh.
Fermanagh have been gaining ground in Ulster in recent years and lost narrowly to Cavan in the provincial junior final in 2006. In 2007 they were one of several sides automatically boosted up to the new intermediate grade, where they lost the provincial decider, again, to Cavan.
Fermanagh gained revenge this year and claimed the intermediate title in a replay against Cavan just three weeks ago. They followed this up with a four point win over Wexford in round 1 of the TG4 All-Ireland series, and will be in a confident mood against the Cats who fared well against northern opposition at junior level in 2007 but will face a much stiffer test against the newly- crowned Ulster intermediate champions.
Fermanagh have star players in Aisling Moen and Caroline Little who pull the strings at midfield while her sister Sharon Little will have to be tightly marshalled in the forward line.
Paul Whelan will look to Sara McCarthy and Andrea Murphy to shore up the defence while Catriona Grace can be relied upon to control matters in the middle sector. Helen Murphy and Denise Gaule will cause problems for the Fermanagh backs and will hope to get the all-important scores at the famed Ulster venue. The Cats were unlucky to lose to Westmeath by just one point two weeks ago and with their final game an away fixture to Wexford, the girls will have to pull out all the stops to gain a badly needed win and ensure survival at intermediate level. Throw in at St Tiarnach’s Park, Clones is at 1pm.
Under 12 and under 14 training
Football training re-commences for under 14 girls on Wednesday, July 23 at 6.30pm in James’ Park Kilkenny in preparation for the Leinster under-14 blitz on bank holiday Monday, August 4. The county under 14s gained great experience in the Leinster championship in April and May while the Thomastown club side performed heroically at the recent All-Ireland Feile competition in Cavan, winning their group with ease to reach the semi-final stage.
All under 14s are welcome to join training and a panel will be selected in the coming weeks to represent Kilkenny at the Leinster blitz.
Under-12 and under-13 development training continues on Sunday next, July 27, at 10am in James’ Park, Kilkenny and newcomers are welcome. In recent weeks between 30 and 40 young girls have been learning and developing the skills of gaelic football under the expert eye of Barry Hayes, PJ Whelan and Kerry Murphy. Training will continue during August before the next Leinster under-12 blitz in September. The under-12 girls reached the final of the blitz in May and will hope to go a step further on their next outing.
Gaelic for girls summer camp
Places are still available at the girls’ gaelic football summer camps being held at Galmoy from July 30 to August 1 and at Kierans’ College from the 5th to the 8th of August. The camps will run from 11am to 2pm and the emphasis will be on fun and the development of gaelic football skills for players and complete beginners aged 8 to 16 years. The cost per person is €20 and places can be booked at the Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership office on 056 7720870 or email krsp@eircom.net.
Junior and senior club championship results:
Senior championship round 2
Railyard 4-12, Thomastown 1-4
Carrickshock 7-7, Mullinavat 2-9
Junior championship round 2
Tullogher 1-17, Muckalee 3-3
James Stephens 5-8, Callan 3-5
Monday July 28
Muckalee v Callan
Freshford v Tullogher
Rower v James Stephens
Blacks and Whites; bye.
