Kenmare Shamrocks on the cusp of Kerry League title as Lane faces long lay-off

Down to the final two Co League rounds in Kerry, with a host of big names still looking over their shoulder at potential relegation - including All-Ireland club champions Dingle.

Sun, 07 Jun, 2026 - 20:24

Mortimer Murphy

Kenmare Shamrocks need only a point from their final two games to win Kerry SFL Division 1 title after an impressive away win over Austin Stacks on Sunday, 2-10 to 1-10.

In fact only Kenmare and Glenflesk can now claim the ultimate prize while all the other sides are still not saving from relegation in this ultra competitive league.

Austin Stacks were missing a host of regulars but the biggest blow is that their All-Ireland winning Kerry U-20 captain Paddy Lane is facing an 8-10 week layoff following the injury sustained in the All-Ireland U20 final last week.

This is a massive blow to Stacks but they are hoping to have him fit for the Club Championship in early August plus he will be a big loss to the club in the U-21 county championship that starts in two weeks time.

Only Ronan Carroll played a full game from their returning All-Ireland U-20 contingent with Daniel Kirby and Alex Tuohy coming in as second-half substitutes.

Kenmare were defensively solid in the opening half and played the possession game. The visitors had points from Jack Tagney, James McCarthy and Donal O’Sullivan while Shane O’Callaghan and David Fitzmaurice kept Stacks in touch before Zach O’Shea played in James McCarthy who found the Stacks net.

Kenmare Shamrocks led 1-4 to 0-2 at half time but the introduction of Daniel Kirby did improve Stacks lot and by the 38th minute, the gap was cut to two ( 1-5 to 0-6). But a massive two pointer from the outstanding James McCarthy and a Donal O’Sullivan free pushed Kenmare five clear. A misplaced Stacks free saw Donal O’Sullivan counter attack for Kenmare and he placed David Hallissey to score a second goal, making it 2-8 to 1-6. Kenmare Shamrocks are now on 15 points, four clear of Glenflesk on 11 and a draw at home to Spa or away to Dingle in their final two games will see them collect some early silverware.

Glenflesk were well beaten at home by resurgent Dr Crokes on a 1-17 to 0-12 scoreline and this moves Crokes clear of the relegation zone and now on nine points, a win in either of their last two games will see them safe. Crokes were always in control leading 0-8 to 0-3 at half time, thanks to four points from Cian McMahon, and a point each from Billy Courtney, David Coppinger, Brian Looney and Kerry hurler Tom Doyle.

Early second half points from Tom Doyle and Mark Fitzgerald, a goal from Kerry U-20 panelist Ben Kelliher and a two pointer from David Shaw, saw the Crokes twelve clear and Glenflesk, never really landed a blow and stay on 11pts.

Kilcummin blew their chances of moving to safety as they lost to bottom club Beaufort, losing out 2-15 to 0-17. It was a tight opening half with Beaufort leading 1-6 to 0-8, the goal being scored by Darragh O’Connor who had a massive game along with Darragh Dennehy, Fergal Hallissey and Kevin Coffey.

Kilcummin through Mikey Casey, Paul O’Shea, Ian Devane and Cian Foley kept in touch. It was nip and tuck in the second half but a Ciaran Kennedy goal swung the game in the Mid Kerry sides favour despite the efforts of Paul O’Shea. Beaufort move to 4pts and can move to 8 but their final two games are home to Dingle and away to Crokes so unlikely they can beat the drop.

Rathmore are in big trouble as they lost to Legion, 0-11 to 0-10 scoreline, and they have two local derbies left to save their skin, against Glenflesk and Kilcummin.

Gneeveguilla should be safe on 10 points after beating Kerins O’Rahillys 0-16 to 2-9 with James Doyle kicking a late winner. But All-Ireland Club SFC winners Dingle are not out of the woods after losing to Spa at home 4-8 to 0-16. Spa are now on 8 while Dingle are second from bottom on 7 but they have Beaufort at home and Kenmare may well be champions when they meet.