Kerry's Kennedy Cup manager Diggins proud of eighth-place finish at schoolboys soccer tournament
While their 1-0 loss to Galway in Friday's 7th/8th place play-off – going down to a stoppage-time winner from Galway – was a cruel way to finish the five-day competition in the University of Limerick, it was still a positive experience overall for a talented and determined Kerry squad, who played with pride, discipline, and attacking flair throughout the tournament.
'It was a super week for us. When we came up here, I suppose we were looking at maybe the Bowl. We might be able to get into that and win it, but to top our group against all the top teams that we played and won every game and nine points. It was a super week for the boys,' manager Danny Diggins said.
'The Donegal defeat I think really sucked the energy out of the lads. These things happen in sport. You don't get the rub of the green every time. And I just thought that those results really knocked the lads back, for all the effort that they had put into the previous three games.
'After that game they didn't really have much in the tank for the last two games. But we had got what we really came for. And the top eight finish in Ireland after finishing twenty-fourth in the last competition when we won our All Ireland competition up here earlier in the year. We got silverware for that, and we jumped sixteen places to eighth. You have to be proud of that.
'In the last game there, Galway and ourselves were making substitutions for the penalty shoot-out. We were preparing for the penalty shoot-out. And maybe that cost us there with the ball in over the top. And fellas weren't in the right position, look that happens.
'We're still very proud of the lads, the effort they put in for the last six months for this. But it is not until they come up to see how fit they have to be. The draining of the games, the two on Tuesday, and then you're going back on Wednesday and trying to win that game to get into the semi-final. It just really does take it out of them.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The 42
37 minutes ago
- The 42
Dublin to face Cork: here is the All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-final draw
THE DRAW HAS been made for the All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-finals. Dublin will face Cork, Kerry host Cavan, Donegal welcome Louth, and Down and Galway go head-to-head. The games will take place next weekend, 21-22 June, with fixture details to be finalised by the CCCC later today. The draw took place on RTÉ Radio 1 as part of Morning Ireland, and was presided over by the GAA's CCCC Chairperson Brian Carroll and Feargal McGill, GAA Director Player, Club and Games Administration. Advertisement It was subject firstly to the avoidance of repeat provincial final pairings, and where possible, repeat pairings from the group stage. Cavan were initially drawn against Dublin, but a reshuffle was needed to avoid Kerry versus Cork. Tyrone, Monaghan, Meath and Armagh await in the quarter-finals after winning their respective groups. The Tailteann Cup semi-final draw was also made this morning. All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals First team named at home Donegal v Louth Down v Galway Dublin v Cork Kerry v Cavan
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Kerry ladies boss Mark Bourke warns side they have key lesson to learn in spite of comeback vs Cork
MARK BOURKE warned TG4 All-Ireland SFC queens Kerry could get caught in the knockout stages if they do not rectify their poor first-half displays. Kerry — despite a second-minute goal from Niamh Ní Chonchúir — had to come from behind to 2 Ni Chonchúir raised a green flag after only two minutes 2 But Bourke's team still trailed at half-time Goals from Áine O'Sullivan and Katie Quirke gave Cork a 2-6 to 1-1 lead having played with the wind. And while the Kingdom outscored their rivals 4-4 to 0-3 in the second, boss Bourke was not happy. He said: 'It's knockout now and you're in top-team territory. If you give any team a start like that again we won't make it to the end. I didn't say much at half-time. 'They were getting balls into the killer zone way too easily. We knew that all week but we weren't working hard enough from our forwards and kickouts down.' Read More On GAA Siofra O'Shea, Danielle O'Leary and Rachel Dwyer got the Kerry goals in the second half, ensuring a home quarter-final for the All-Ireland champions. Cork must travel to Mayo next weekend to keep their season alive. Rebels manager Joe O'Carroll said: 'We knew Kerry were going to come at us in the second half even though we played so well in the first half. 'Maybe we should have been up a bit more as we had a few chances for goals but Kerry were clinical in the second half. There's no point crying over spilt milk. But today's performance won't beat Mayo.' Galway also booked a home quarter-final thanks to a 1-11 to 1-2 win over Donegal in Lifford. Most read in GAA Football They laid the foundation for victory in the opening half when Galway chief Daniel Moynihan said: 'We're a little bit frustrated with how we played in the first half. GAA fans 'loved seeing and hearing' the late Micheal O Muircheartaigh as he features in RTE documentary Hell for Leather 'We tried to break them down but eventually we got the job done.' Donegal, who travel to Tipperary next week to determine the group runners-up, finished strongly. Susanne White pointed a free before assisting for the goal that Mia Bennett finished to the net. Tír Chonaill chief James Daly said: 'On our squad of 32, there are 21 teenagers. 'Nine teenagers played and five of them are doing their Leaving Cert this week. We're under no illusions. We're a young team and we're trying to build. We're trying to get better. 'We're playing Tipperary next week and whoever wins that game goes to the quarter-final.' MEATH MATCH-UP Meath advanced to the last eight when The sides were level at 0-2 apiece at the break. But Meath got on top with Emma Duggan taking her haul to 0-5 to book their quarter-final spot. Royals midfielder Marion Farrelly said: 'We were disappointed at half-time not to be on top. 'We left a few goal shots out there and points-wise our conversion rate wasn't good. We said at half-time that it was do or die. There is still plenty to work on.' Kildare travel to Armagh next weekend with a quarter-final spot on the line. And Lilywhites goalkeeper Mary Hulgraine said: 'Whoever wins next week will be going through. 'That's our All-Ireland final. We'll be looking at it like that. We got to watch Armagh last week, they got to watch us this week. It'll be a great game.'
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Meath's plan for Kerry worked in most parts says boss Robbie Brennan
GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Round 3 From the dizzy heights of the win over Dublin to the low of the Leinster final defeat and now victory over hotly-fancied Kerry. It has been a real roller-coaster ride so far for Robbie Brennan and his fledging intercounty career and one that is swiftly picking up speed.
