WE’RE ALMOST INTO December, but the games are coming thick and fast for An Ghaeltacht.
The west Kerry club were crowned Munster intermediate champions yesterday after a facile 22-point win over St Senan’s in Tralee.
They’re pitted against Tyrone and Ulster champions Moy in the All-Ireland semi-final in January, but there’s plenty of football still to be played this side of Christmas.
First up they’ve got Dingle in the West Kerry championship final, before they’re due to take on Dr Crokes in the Division 1 league final.
“The games are coming week in week out so it’s nice to bring on a few fellas and give them games too,” Marc Ó Sé told Radio Kerry after the game.
“We’ve a game next weekend against Dingle in the West Kerry championship.”
Then the county league final against the Munster senior finalists is fixed for 17 December.
“It’s hard to be asking players to be playing week in week out and not much notice as well. We’ll have to the coiste (committee) and see what the story is and talk to the players.
“They’ve been going a good few weeks now, not alone with the Ghaeltacht but with West Kerry as well. They’re honest young fellas, they put a lot into it and they definitely need a break at this stage.
“We won’t be resting on our laurels, we’ve a big game next weekend against Dingle. Both teams always take out the best in each other so we look forward to that.”
The 37-year-old is starring at full-back this season and doubles up as joint-manager of his club alongside Conal Ó Cruadhlaoich, while another Kerry legend Dara Ó Cinneide is part of the backroom team.
An Ghaeltacht have a talented squad, with Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Dara Ó Sé and Tomas Ó Sé among their brightest young prospects, while Padraig Óg Ó Sé, son of the late Páidí, is centre-back on the team.
They’re returning to senior ranks next year, a competition they last won in 2003.
There are, however, worries over the fitness of corner-back Cathal Ó Luing, who sustained an injury during the second-half on Sunday.
“He’s a serious player for us, a Kerry panelist last year,” says Ó Sé. “It didn’t look good towards the end of the game.
“I’m just hoping he comes through that injury okay and he’ll be able to be right for our next game.”
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