Treble Delight
For only the third time in history, three Kerry football clubs have qualified for All-Ireland Finals in the one year, after a weekend of dramatic action saw Ballymacelligott, An Ghaeltacht and Dingle booking All-Ireland Final places in Croke Park.
In 2007, Duagh and Ardfert played finals in Croke Park in February and Dr Crokes on St Patrick’s Day. Ardfert were the only winners that year, at Intermediate level.
Then in 2019, Beaufort and Kilcummin both played in Croke Park in February winning the Junior and Intermediate All-Ireland titles respectively. Dr Crokes failed to complete a first Kerry hat-trick however on St Patrick’s Day.
In 2026, due to the split season fixtures calendar, three Kerry clubs will play in All-Ireland Finals in Croke Park in the space of seven days.
Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.
Kennedy enjoys bumper festive period
Over the intensive four-day Christmas period, from December 26th to 29th inclusive, Gordon Elliott prepared the winners of 18 races, 10 of those at Leopardstown. All this from a total of 77 runners at nine meetings, so a winning strike-rate of 23% at the most packed and competitive time of the year. Phenomenal stuff, really.
Obviously detailing all these successes would take more space than we have here but a few stood out, especially the Grade 1 hat-trick at Leopardstown: Romeo Coolio in the 2m novice chase where he ground out the win late, Teahupoo in the 3m Christmas Hurdle and Skylight Hustle in the 2m novice hurdle, all of which were ridden by Dingle’s Jack Kennedy who has surged right into contention for champion jockey honours. Throw in Grade 2 and Grade 3 wins and a 66-1 winner of the Paddy Power Chase in Favori De Champdou and you have a tidy few days’ work for the Cullentra trainer.
Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.
