Valentia were favourites going into this game as they had beaten a highly-rated Renard team the previous week.

However, the Rangers got off to a great start. From the throw-in Christopher Driscoll caught the ball and sent it across to Pound forward Dec Keating who slotted it straight over the bar.

Valentia replied in the third minute with a Paul Connor free. A fine point from Dec Keating in the left-hand corner was the next score and Valentia replied again with a free from Paul Connor.

Dec Keating then scored three points in a row, one from a free, another a fisted effort after a fine free in from Christopher Driscoll and the third from play in the 18th minute. Paul O Connor replied with another free in the 21st minute.

The Rangers got on the scoreboard with a fine point from that young promising half-back Gary Driscoll. Valentia completed the scoring with a point from wing forward Curtin to leave the boys from the old parish of Chill Imeallach ahead by two points, half-time score: Skellig Rangers 0-6, Valentia 0-4.

The Rangers management team must have been happy with their side s performance in the first half, especially as they had played into a stiff breeze.

Gary Driscoll got the Rangers motoring again with a fine point in the sixth minute. He had started the move himself on the Rangers 45 and took a return pass to score from 25 metres. Alan Curran replied for the Young Islanders with a point from his left leg.

Valentia then added another and the game was brought to the Rangers. An injury to Dec Keating after which his mobility was definitely curtailed was another factor that turned the in the Islanders favour. However, with all the possession Valentia had, the Rangers backs and midfielders were working very hard to keep the scoreline down.

The turning point of the game came on the 23rd minute when a high ball from a Christopher Driscoll free floated into the Valentia square and via Rangers forward Dec Keating fell to Diarmaid O Leary who finished it off to the net.

There was no looking back from here and Skellig Rangers went on to score another goal and two points, from outstanding midfielder Christopher Driscoll and the ever-accurate Dec Keating.

At the final whistle there were great scenes of jubilation among the Rangers supporters who have been unlucky in so many under-age finals over the years.

This was a game of high quality and both teams are to be congratulated for the spirit they showed throughout.

The County Board vice-chairman Jerome Conway presented the trophy to Skellig Rangers captain Denis Walsh. Denis gave an excellent speech and thanked his teammates and sponsors Fisherman s Bar and the Valentia team for the sporting way they played the game.

It was then onto the Fish-erman s Bar in Portmagee where the players were treated to a meal.

This was a fine performance by the Rangers. Denis Walsh was very cool in goal and his kick-outs were excellent.

Skellig Rangers five backs brothers Seamus and Colin

Sullivan, John Leary, Mark Connell and Gary Driscoll were excellent, as were the midfielders, with the man of the match Christopher Driscoll playing some outstanding football and his partner Owen O Mahony working very hard. The Rangers controlled this sector throughout.

Their forwards worked hard throughout and Alan Devane, Brendan Sullivan, Michael Bernard Murphy and Diarmaid Leary all played their part. A special mention must be made of the scoring power and accuracy of Dec Keating.

It was a just reward for the hard work the management team of trainer PJ Sugrue and selectors John Driscoll and Kevin Martin had put in.

The Rangers looked well in their new set of jerseys, togs and socks that were sponsored by Anthony and Mary Keating of the Fisherman s Bar.

The Renard club is to be complimented for its great organisation on the day. Team: Denis Walsh (Pound), Seamus Sullivan (Pound), Colin Sullivan (Pound) Mark O Connell (Ferry), Gary Driscoll (Emlaghpeste),), John O'Leary (Aghadda), Christopher Driscoll (Emlaghpeste), Owen O'Mahony (Ardcost), Brendan Sullivan (Ardcost), Declan Keating (Pound), Alan Devane (Banteen), Michael Bernard Murphy (Corabeag), Diarmaid Leary (Gleneragh); subs: Ger Walsh (pound) for M. B. Murphy, Brian Sullivan (Ardcost) for Diarmaid Leary and David Tyler (Ferry).

MATCHES:

The C team had three matches recently but were still playing the third game at time of going to press. See details next week.

LOTTO:

The lotto sellers for the month of May are Pat Fitzgerald, Thomas Shanahan and Mike Brennan.

WEDDING:

Best wishes to Martina O Driscoll, Pound, Port-magee, and Michael (Dashy) O Sullivan, Harbour View, ho ere married in St Patrick s Church, Portmagee, on Saturday, May 17. The happy couple will reside in Portmagee Village.

CHRISTENING:

Congratulations to the Buckley family, Pairc an Aspig, Portmagee, on the christening of their grandson Connor also on May 17.

PARENTS:

A course for parents of children with additional and special educational needs will run over a four-week period in Col·iste na Sceilge.

The main aims of the course are to help parents to prepare their children for the demands of the transition from primary to secondary school, to build a dialogue with the school about their child s specific needs and the best ways of meeting them, and to share information about special needs education and the demands of second-level education. The course commenced at 7.30pm on Thursday, May 22, and ill continue for a further three weeks May 29, June 5 and June 12.

To book or for further information please contact Karen O Connor on 066-947 3335. The South Kerry Development Partnership is funding the course.

EXHIBITION:

The Special Educational Needs senior class, Class Bríd, ill launch an exhibition of their practical school projects in arts, woodwork and home economics tonight, Tuesday, May 27, between 8pm and 9pm in the library, Caherciveen. Maurice Fitzgerald will be the special guest at the event. Light snacks and refreshments will be available tonight. The display represents only a small part of the class s educational experience at Col·iste na Sceilge.

The exhibition will run until the end of June and everyone in the community is welcome to come and see it.

SCHOOL:

St Francis Special School, Beaufort, invites you to an open night in the school on Wednesday, May 28, at 7.30pm. Anyone who is interested in the school and its services is welcome to come along, view the facilities and meet the staff. This night would be of special interest to principals, resource teach-ers, psychologists, learning support teachers, social and community workers, home school liaison officers and parents.

DRAW:

There was no outright winner of the 175 jackpot up for grabs on May 18 in the Skellig Rangers GAA lotto draw. The numbers drawn were 1, 10 and 21. The winners of the consolation prizes were 30 Jim O Shea, Dromid, 20 Aoibheann O Sullivan, River View, Caherciveen and 20 Diarmaid Keating, Pound, Portmagee. The jackpot for May 25 was 200. Lotto rota: Sunday, June 1: Dermot Keating and Tina O Sullivan.

 

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