
The Downs U14 boys returned from their 3 day trip to Kerry last weekend as division 2 runners up in the Comortas Peile John Egan.
An action packed few days included a tour of the Sports Arena at
University Limerick, meeting Kerry Captain Fionn Fitzgerald and the
Munster Cup, team parade through the streets of Killarney and
playing the div 2 final vs Laune Rangers in Fitzgerald Stadium.
Organised by Kerry GAA to remember one of their deceased greats,
this tournament involves 16 clubs invited from all over Ireland and
further afield with London's Dulwich Harps involved this year.
The
Downs were paired with Tralee club Na Gaeil who proved to be marvellous
hosts. On the pitch, The Downs had 2 good wins over local sides
Milltown Castlemaine and Na Gaeil. In the third round, our old friends
Dulwich Harps proved to be too string but the earlier victories secured a
division 2 semi-final spot versus another Tralee side John
Mitchell's. This was a cracking game with thrills and spills from start
to finish. The lads found themselves 7 points adrift mid way through
the first half but fought back to go in level at the break. Cheered on
by a vocal visiting support, the lads put in a brilliant second half
performance to secure a place in the following day's division 2 final
for the second year in a row - final score 3-9,3-5.Up against a Laune
Rangers side in the final with a big reputation, the sides were all
square at half time. Despite the greasy Fitzgerald Stadium surface, both
sides produced spells of good football throughout. The Killorglin side
edged the second half with several county players to the fore and ran
out winners on a final score of 2-13, 3-5.
Overall, The Downs can look back on their few days with great
pride, recording good wins over 3 Kerry sides and pushing the
mighty Laune Rangers all the way in the final. Thanks to our marvellous
hosts Na Gaeil of Tralee and of course our travelling supporters who
were brilliant throughout. A big thank you to our main sponsors for the
trip Lagan Cement and our jersey sponsor McNamee Tyres. See website and
Facebook page for more photos.
Panel: Eanna Burke, Jack Carroll, Mark Conneely, Matthew
Cunningham, Oisin Dowdall, Liam Faulkner, Adam Gilbride, Richard Kelly,
Jonathan Lynam, Ryan Mannering, Trevor Martin, Luke Maguire, Cian
McCourt, Nathan Lynott, Liam Moran, Oisin Murphy, Shane Murtagh, Kevin
O'Sullivan, Oisin Raleigh, Adam Smith, Luke Smith, David Smyth, Stephen
Wynne.
More photos
here