Managerless Crokes draw Spa and Rathmore as Kerry club championship draw announced

Intermediate champions Austin Stacks have a bye in the first round of the championship, but will play Na Gaeil and Templenoe in the following rounds

BACK: Dr Crokes' attacker Micheál Burns is back training with the Kerry squad.

The draws for this year’s Kerry Petroleum Club Championships have thrown up a number of intriguing pairings and some appetisingly competitive groups.

Senior holders Dr Crokes are currently without a manager after the departure of Pat O'Shea on Monday. The search for a replacement begins in earnest with the County League kicking off on March 16th.

Crokes are in an all East Kerry group with Spa and Rathmore. Their first outing will be away to Spa on the last weekend in July or first weekend in August, depending on how Kerry fare in the Championship.

Last year’s beaten Club Championship finalists Dingle, who currently have six players involved with the Kerry senior squad, will face a tricky away tie with Kenmare Shamrocks, whom they narrowly beat in the final in 2023. The 2023 Intermediate champions Milltown/Castlemaine round out group 2.

Intermediate champions Austin Stacks (also without a manager since the recent departure of Billy Lee) are drawn away to Tralee rivals Na Gaeil. Templenoe are the third team in the group and they will begin their senior championship campaign with a home tie against Na Gaeil.

The top two sides in the three groups will make the knock-out stages with the team finishing on top going straight to the semis. The club champions will represent Kerry in Munster Club only if a District/Group side wins the county senior championship (SFC).

The Intermediate Club Championship is incredibly competitive. Group 1 looks tasty with Fossa led by the Clifford brothers paired with near neighbours Kilcummin, last year’s Junior champions Firies and Tralee side John Mitchels.

Finalists Laune Rangers are in a tough looking group with Killarney Legion, and North Kerry neighbours Listowel Emmets and Ballydonoghue.

An Ghaeltacht will be fancied to do well in Group 3 but Glenflesk, St Mary’s and Castleisland Desmonds will all fancy their chances.

Once again Mid Kerry rivals Glenbeigh/Glencar and Beaufort are drawn together with East Kerry side Gneeveguilla and Tralee's Kerins O’Rahillys, who will be anxious to regain their senior status.

Last year’s beaten Junior Premier finalists Ardfert have been drawn in a tough group where they will face Keel, Brosna and Annascaul. 2023 beaten finalists and last year’s semi-finalist’s Ballymacelligott should be able to navigate their way past Castlegregory, St Pats Blennerville and Dromid Pearses.

The draw

Kerry Senior Club Football Championship 

Group 1: Na Gaeil, Austin Stacks, Templenoe. 

Group 2: Dingle, Milltown/Castlemaine, Kenmare Shamrocks. 

Group 3: Dr Crokes, Rathmore, Spa. 

First round fixtures: Team 3 v Team 1; Team 2 (bye).

David Clifford Fossa takes on Oisin Daly Laune Rangers during the Intermediate semi final at Fitzgerald Stadium

Kerry Intermediate Club Football Championship 

Group 1: Fossa, Firies, Kilcummin, John Mitchels.

Group 2: Laune Rangers, Listowel Emmets, Ballydonoghue, Killarney Legion.

Group 3: An Ghaeltacht, St Marys, Glenflesk, Castleisland Desmonds.

Group 4: Glenbeigh/Glencar, Beaufort, Gneeveguilla, Kerins O’Rahillys.

First round fixtures: Team 1 v Team 4; Team 2 v Team 3.

Kerry Junior Premier Club Football Championship 

Group 1: Duagh, Reenard, Waterville, Ballyduff. 

Group 2: St Senans, Currow, Churchill, Listry. 

Group 3: Ballymacelligott, Castlegregory, St Pats Blennerville, Dromid Pearses. 

Group 4: Ardfert, Keel, Brosna, Annascaul. 

First round fixtures: Team 3 v Team 4; Team 2 v Team 1.

Kerry Junior Club Football Championship 

Preliminary round: Tuosist v Ballylongford. 

Group 1: Cordal, Valentia, Skellig Rangers, Moyvane. 

Group 2: Kilgarvan, Tuosist or Ballylongford, Cromane, Lispole. 

Group 3: Tarbert, Scartaglin, St Michaels-Foilmore, Sneem/Derrynane. 

Group 4: Knocknagoshel, Finuge, Beale, Asdee. 

First round fixtures: Team 4 v Team 1; Team 2 v Team 3.

Cork Divisions/Colleges draw

Meanwhile, the Cork Divisions/Colleges hurling and football Championship draw was also announced...

Co-Op Superstores Divisions/Colleges Hurling Championship 

Round 1 

A = Duhallow v Muskerry. 

B = Avondhu v Carbery. 

Round 2 

Winner of A v Loser of B. 

Winner of B v Loser of A. 

The top two teams progress to the semi-final.

Semi-final 

A = Imokilly v Unseeded 1st Place Team. 

B = UCC v Unseeded 2nd Place Team. 

Final 

A v B.

McCarthy Insurance Group Divisions/Colleges Football Championship 

Round 1 

A = Avondhu v Carbery. 

B = Beara v Duhallow. 

Round 2 

Winner of A v Loser of B. 

Winner of B v Loser of A. 

The top two teams progress to the semi-final.

Semi-Final 

A = Muskerry v Unseeded 1st Place Team. 

B = UCC v Unseeded 2nd Place Team. 

Final 

A v B.