Senior men
John Mitchels finished their competitive season with a home game v Austin Stacks. This fixture doubled as the Town League Final and first round of the Town Championship.
Finishing on a score line of 1 11 to 1 15 Stacks were victorious on the evening. A special word of thanks to our senior players and our senior management team for all of their work and commitment in 2023.
The season finished with seeing our senior men promoted to Division 2 of the County League. We look forward to competing in a higher division in 2024 and on behalf of all in the club our thanks to the team and management for their efforts in 2023.
Senior Ladies Club Corrib Oil League Final.
John Mitchels 1-07 Dingle 1 -06.
John Mitchels completed their season in style on Sunday last with a hard fought one-point win over a resolute Dingle outfit in the Corrib Oil Senior Club League Final.
Following all the midweek rain, Castlegregory had somehow managed to have their playing pitch in pristine condition and allied to that we were blessed with a glorious sunny day for the game.
Dingle won the toss and elected to play into the town end with the aid of a slight breeze and the sun at their backs in the opening half.
Sarah Kilgallen won the opening throw in and cleverly passed the ball to her midfield partner Aoife O Brien who slipped the ball onto Clara O Dowd who in turned found Rachel Kilgallen about 30 yards from goal and Rachel opened the scoring with a wonderful point.
Dingle responded with some nice intricate passing and levelled proceedings with a pointed free from Sorcha Ní Bhrosnachán in the seventh minute following a technical foul which led to a sin binning for the John Mitchels centre half back.
With the numerical advantage, Dingle pushed forward and were rewarded with a goal from Sarah Ní Chualáin in the twelfth minute to go into a three-point lead.
A wonderful save from John Mitchels goalkeeper, Kayleigh Collins, prevented another Dingle goal three minutes later and some solid defending from Tanya O’Connor, Erica O’Connor and Julie Foley kept the West Kerry side from increasing their advantage.
With John Mitchels returned to 15 players a superb passing movement involving, Shannon Martin, Lucie O’Donoghue and Ashleigh Murphy ended with Lily Parker who played an inch perfect pass to Ave Buckley and the John Mitchels Captain gave the Dingle goalkeeper, Béibhinn Nic a tSíthigh, no chance and blasted the ball to the net to level matters at 1-01 each in the twentieth minute.
Dingle then went on the counter attack and Karen Ní Mhurchú pushed them a point in front with a sweet point from distance.
John Mitchels responded magnificently to this score however, and a superb team move involving Shauna Flynn, Anna Murphy and Rachel Kilgallen ended with Ava Buckley kicking a glorious long-range point to level matters at 1-02 each as referee Dan Hayes sounded the half time whistle.
Just as in the opening half, Sarah Kilgallen again won the throw in and set her midfield partner, Aoife O’Brien, away on a scorching run down the right wing, this was obviously a pre-ordained move and it certainly worked a treat on Sunday.
Aoife slipped the ball to Ava Buckley who found Shauna Flynn with a very deft hand pass and Shauna kicked a monster point from just inside the 45-metre line to give John Mitchels a narrow lead.
Dingle again responded with a sweeping passing move that ended with Hayley Ní Flatharta again levelling matters with a point from a very awkward angle. Kayleigh Collins in the John Mitchels goal then produced 2 wonderful saves to prevent Dingle from scoring a second goal and following this John Mitchels introduced both Jamie Finnegan and Eabha Mullen to their defence.
In the tenth minute of the half a mazy run by Clara O Dowd ended with Ava Buckley restoring John Mitchels one point lead with a wonderful score from about 30 metres range. Dingle again responded and were rewarded with a pointed free from Niamh Ní Ghrifín to leave the scores again level midway through the second half.
The next seven minutes proved crucial for John Mitchels, however, and with Shannon Martin, Ashleigh Murphy and Lucie O’Donoghue driving forward from the half back line, Jamie Finnegan found Aoife O’Brien with a long-range past, Aoife passed the ball to Sarah Kilgallen who was subsequently fouled and from the resultant free, Rachel Kilgallen restored John Mitchels lead with a glorious effort from close on 40 metres out from goal.
From the resulting kick out Eabha Mullen found Shauna Flynn who in turn passed to Lily Parker and Lily increased the lead to two points from a very acute angle. John Mitchels then won possession through Anna Murphy and Anna played a neat pass to the inrushing Clara O Dowd who found Lily Parker close to the corner flag, Lily composed herself and kicked a wonderful left footed point to push John Mitchels into a three-point lead with just seven minutes remaining.
This Dingle team is nothing but resilient however and they again pushed forward only to be denied an equalising goal by a fantastic point blank save by Kayleigh Collins who pushed the ball out for a 45.
From the resultant 45, Dingle manufactured a free which Sorcha Ní Bhrosnachán shot over to leave just 2 points between the teams with five minutes left to play.
Dingle pushed forward in search of a winning goal but heroic defending from the John Mitchels defence aided by some unbelievable goalkeeping by Kayleigh Collins repelled them.
With time running out, Dingle were awarded a free about 30 metres from goal but Niamh Ní Ghrifín’s effort sailed just over the crossbar to leave a point between the teams.
Kayleigh Collins sent the resulting kick out down to Rachel Kilgallen who played a long ball down to Ava Buckley who gathered possession and as she did so referee Dan Hayes sounded the final whistle and John Mitchels were Corrib Oil Club Senior League Champions after a wonderful encounter, the pity was there had to be a loser after a gripping contest that provided great entertainment for the large attendance.
A special word for both Lily Silong and Sophie O’Donoghue who were also with us on Sunday.
Ava Buckley accepted the Corrib Oil Club Senior League trophy on behalf of John Mitchels and gave a rousing and wonderful speech thanking all that had been involved and assisted throughout the year, the opposition, the referee, Castlegregory for the use of their excellent facilities, Corrib Oil for their generous sponsorship of the competition and the Kerry Ladies Football County Board.
Following a rather slow start to the season, John Mitchels really found their stride after about five games and last Sunday was a fitting way for a very dedicated group to conclude their season.
They can look back on close on 40 training and match attendances, a draw in the Donal Curtin Cup with subsequent Bons Secours Senior County Champions in Finuge St. Senans, a wonderful run in the Bons Secours Junior County Championship which ended in defeat to eventual winners Fossa at the semi-final stage and an unbeaten run in the Corrib Oil Senior Club League culminating in ultimate victory in the final on Sunday.
Apart from all that the fun, enjoyment and team spirit that was harvested throughout the year will live longer in the memory than any trophy or medal will and at the end of the day isn’t that what it’s all about.
John Mitchels Abu!!!!!!!!!!!
Under 15 Boys
We have drawn Na Gaeil in the town league semi-final this game has been fixed for Sunday 29th October time and venue to be confirmed by town board we’ll be in touch about training times during the week Na Misteallaig Abu
Under 14 Girls
John Mitchels u14 girls are finishing out their season in the North Kerry League. The Gold team played their u14 Division 5 Shield Final against Finuge St Senans in Mountcoal on Sunday last, while the Green team have games against Listowel Emmets and Dingle, with both hopefully due to be played next week
Under 11 Boys
All roads led to John Mitchels this Sunday where we played our annual Sylvie Mason Blitz. We split our squad into four evenly matched teams. Everybody got to play each other and the highest aggregate scoring teams would win the coveted Sylvie Mason trophy.
To say it was close was an understatement. After 40 minutes of football played and with 5 minutes to go it was anyone’s to win. The lead changed hands 5 times in the last 5 minutes and in the end Team Joe Keohane, captained by Conor Moynihan won by only 2 points.
This day was a celebration of our year together and everybody got medals and goody bags. Many thanks to all the players, parents and coaches for a fantastic year. We hope to see everyone back again next year.
Under 9 Boys
This Sunday saw John Mitchels U9 Boys taking part in our 16th Annual Sylvie Mason Blitz. Our prayers were answered with the weather as it was absolutely fantastic as was the football by all team’s.
Each player getting plenty of football & plenty of time on the ball which is what juvenile football is all about. On behalf of all the coaches we would like thank everyone who helped out this season & we literary can’t wait for 2024!!
Thanks Again.
Under 8 and 10 Girls
The under 8s and 10 girls had an amazing last day full off football at the annual Sylvie Masion Blitz. The girls were put into teams and played 3 15miunte games. Some great football was on show and they thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
The girls were then presented with medals at the end and both players and parents went home happy. Huge thanks to players and parents all year for the commitment and we hope to see you all again next season.
Under 6s and Under7s Boys and Girls
We trained in glorious sunshine on Sunday morning at the earlier time of 9.45.
The annual Sylvie Mason blitz took place and our 6s and 7s did not disappoint.
We assembled for the team photographer and then took our place for the pre match parade.
Finally we stood before the stand for Amhran Na Bhfiann.
Following the ceremonies we moved indoor for some fun training.
Then onto the medals and goody bags.
Well done to everyone that took part.
Bingo
Bingo continues on Wednesday and Friday nights. Eyes down at 8.30pm sharp at Chamfers John Joe Sheehy Road Tralee. Please note that only patrons 18 years and over are eligible to play bingo and proof of age will be required on request. Any persons under 18 years of age cannot unfortunately attend bingo.
Lotto
John Mitchels GAA Club Lotto Results: Sunday 22nd October 2023.This week’s Lotto numbers are 03 ,25 ,26 & 29. The numbers today were drawn by George Lowe and Brid McElligott . There was no winner of the Jackpot of €1,8000.00. Congratulations to our three lucky dip winners this week:
€25.00: John Joe Sheehy
€25.00: Grainne Foley
€25.00: Thomas Locke
Next week’s Jackpot is €1,900.00 and the draw will take place on Facebook Live on Sunday 29th October 2023 at 11am. Ticket sales close at 9am sharp. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3LlAIYu We thank you for all your support.
Sympathy
On behalf of all in John Mitchels we also extend a sincere sympathy to the families of the following.
Kay Dineen Killeen Road, Tralee, Kerry.Peter O’Sullivan Tralee, Kerry.
Lynda Jane Hillier Tonaknock, Abbeydorney, Kerry / Tralee, Kerry.
Olive Daly Tonevane, Tralee, Kerry / Gorey, Wexford.
Denis Brennan Connolly Park, Tralee, Kerry.
Lucy Breen (née Leen) Kylebeg, Bog road, Tralee, Kerry.
Alice Murphy (née Murray)Racecourse Lawn, Tralee, Kerry / Wexford.
John Keane Ballyconnell, Kilflynn, Kerry / Tralee, Kerry.
Kathleen Walsh(née Brophy) Ballyseedy, Tralee, Kerry / Kilkenny