Wonderful West

PS Chorca Dhuibhne wrote a glorious new chapter into their own and Kerry GAA history last Saturday evening when captain Barra O Suilleabhain climbed the steps of the Hogan Stand to lift the All-Ireland colleges trophy.

St Pat’s Maghera, the reigning champions, went into the game as very strong favourites and it looked as if they had one hand on the trophy at half time, having gone in with 1-4 to their name including a goal from their talismanic midfielder Conor Glass and a strong defence holding PS Corca Dhuibhne to just two points.

Bainisteoir Eamonn Fitzmaurice refused to press any panic buttons. A clever switch of the versatile Tom O Suilleabhain paid early dividends, with a great Riobard O Se goal at the start of the second half putting St Pat’s on the back foot.

PS Chorca Dhuibhne maintained a disciplined onslaught all through the second half to finish 1-8 to 1-6 victors.

An emotional Fitzmaurice reflected afterwards.

“We didn't fear St Pat’s Maghera. They are a fantastic team, I remember looking at them in the All-Ireland final last year - they were unbelievable.

“But, at the same time, this Chorca Dhuibhne team have only lost one game in the past 5 or 6 years.

“When I came into the school Liam Higgins and Ciaran O Morain were doing incredible work.

“That tradition has always been there, there's always been a special bond between the clubs back in West Kerry, a lot of work done that we try to continue in the school.

“We are delighted.”

Read the full story in Kerry's Eye

The 2014 Kerry Group Rás Mumhan four-day international cycle race will see the biggest ever field tackle 510km and 26 climbs around the roads of Kerry and west Cork.

With the decision to restrict the Rás to teams, rather than individual riders proving to be a masterstroke, teams from six nations will be ready for the starter’s flag on Good Friday afternoon in Killorglin.

England, Scotland, Isle of Man, Holland and Lithuania will line up against the Irish teams to compete for a €6,000 prize fund.

The high standard of the field is emphasised by the fact that there are 125 Category 1 riders in the field with 55 Cat 2 and the rest in Category 3 and there are 25 local riders on various teams.

Of the five former winners in the field, two are from Kerry – Sean Lacey in 2011 and Eugene Moriarty (2001) alongside Stephen O’Sullivan, Ciaran Power and defending champion Damien Shaw.

The Rás starts at 3.30pm on Good Friday in Killorglin and will finish in the same town’s centre on bank holiday Monday around 1pm with the Etape Rás Mumhan taking place on the Saturday in Kenmare at 9am.

With the Giro d’Italia due to begin in Belfast early next month, the Kerry Group Rás Mumhan is the chance for fans of cycling in Munster to come out and see the spectacle that is a racing peloton and cavalcade.

Read the full story in Kerry's Eye