The Kerry Premier Junior Football Championship (known for sponsorship reasons as Kerry Petroleum County Premier Junior Football Championship and abbreviated to the Kerry PJFC) is an annual Gaelic football competition organised by the Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association and contested by the top-ranking junior clubs in the county of Kerry in Ireland. It is the third tier overall in the entire Kerry Gaelic football championship system.
| Kerry Premier Junior Football Championship | |
|---|---|
Current season or competition: 2023 Kerry Premier Junior Football Championship | |
| Irish | Craobhchomórtas Peile Príomh-Shóisearach Chiarraí |
| Code | Gaelic football |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Region |  Kerry (GAA) |
| Trophy | Tom Keane Perpetual Cup |
| No. of teams | 16 |
| Title holders |  Listowel Emmets (1st title) |
| Sponsors | Kerry Petroleum |
| Official website | Official website |
The Kerry Premier Junior Championship was introduced in 2016 following a restructuring of the entire Kerry Gaelic football championship system at all levels.[1]
In its current format, the 16 participating club are drawn into four groups of four teams and play each other in a round-robin system. The four group winners and the four runners-up proceed to the knockout phase that culminates with the final match at FitzGerald Stadium. The winner of the Kerry Premier Junior Championship, as well as being presented with the Tom Keane Perpetual Cup, qualifies for the subsequent Munster Club Championship.
The competition has been won by seven teams. Listowel Emmets are the title holders, after defeating Ballymacelligott in the 2023 final.[2]
History edit
Beginnings edit
The Kerry Premier Junior Championship was introduced in 2016 following a restructuring of the entire Kerry Gaelic football championship system at all levels.
Format edit
Competition format edit
Group stage: The 16 teams are divided into four groups of four. Over the course of the group stage, each team plays once against the others in the group, resulting in each team being guaranteed at least three games. Two points are awarded for a win, one for a draw and zero for a loss. The teams are ranked in the group stage table by points gained, then scoring difference and then their head-to-head record. The top two teams in each group qualify for the knockout stage and the bottom team in each group enters the relegation playoffs.
Relegation Playoffs: After a series of playoffs involving the four teams, the loser of the final is relegated to the Kerry Junior Football Championship.
Quarter-finals: The eight group stage winners contest this round. the top team in each group is drawn against a second-placed team from another group. The four winners from these four games advance to the semi-finals.
Semi-finals: The four quarter-final winners contest this round. The two winners from these four games advance to the semi-finals.
Final: The two semi-final winners contest the final. The winning team are declared champions and gain automatic promotion to the following year's Kerry Intermediate Football Championship.
Teams edit
2023 Teams edit
| Club | Location | Club's Divisional Side |
|---|---|---|
 Annascaul | Annascaul | West Kerry |
 Ardfert | Ardfert | St Brendan's |
 Ballyduff | Ballyduff | Shannon Rangers |
 Ballymacelligott | Ballymacelligott | St Kieran's |
 Brosna | Brosna | St Kieran's |
| Castlegregory | Castlegregory | West Kerry |
 Churchill | Tralee | St Brendan's |
 Dromid Pearses | Dromid | South Kerry |
 Firies | Firies | East Kerry |
| Keel | Keel | Mid Kerry |
| Listowel Emmets | Listowel | Feale Rangers |
| Listry | Listry | East Kerry |
| Skellig Rangers | Portmagee | South Kerry |
 St Patrick’s, Blennerville | Blennervulle | St Brendan's |
| St Senan's | Listowel | Feale Rangers |
| Waterville | Waterville | South Kerry |
2024 Teams edit
| Club | Division | In championship since |
|---|---|---|
| Annascaul | West Kerry | |
| Ardfert | St Brendan's | |
| Ballyduff | Shannon Rangers | |
| Ballymacelligott | St Kieran's | |
| Brosna | St Kieran's | |
| Castlegregory | West Kerry | |
| Churchill | St Brendan's | |
| Currow | St Kieran's | 2024 |
| Dromid Pearses | South Kerry | |
| Firies | East Kerry | |
| Keel | Mid Kerry | |
| Listry | East Kerry | |
| Reenard | South Kerry | 2024 |
| St Patrick’s, Blennerville | St Brendan's | |
| St Senan's | Feale Rangers | |
| Waterville | South Kerry |
Sponsorship edit
Since 2019 the Premier Junior Championship has been sponsored by Kerry Petroleum. The competition was previously sponsored by Castleisland Mart.
Trophy and medals edit
The Tom Keane Perpetual Cup is the current prize for winning the championship. Colin McGillycuddy of Glenbeigh-Glencar was the first recipient of the cup when it was presented to him after the 2016 final replay.[3] In accordance with GAA rules, the County Board awards a set of gold medals to the championship winners. The medals depict a stylised version of the Kerry GAA crest.
Roll of honour edit
By club edit
| # | Team | Titles | Runners-up | Years won | Years runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Na Gaeil | 1 | 2 | 2019 | 2016, 2018 |
| Gneeveguilla | 1 | 1 | 2021 | 2020 | |
 Glenbeigh-Glencar | 1 | 0 | 2016 | — | |
| Dromid Pearses | 1 | 0 | 2017 | — | |
| Beaufort | 1 | 0 | 2018 | — | |
| Ballydonoghue | 1 | 0 | 2020 | — | |
| Fossa | 1 | 0 | 2022 | — | |
| Listowel Emmets | 1 | 0 | 2023 | — | |
| 9 | Firies | 0 | 1 | — | 2017 |
 St Senan's | 0 | 1 | — | 2019 | |
| Skellig Rangers | 0 | 1 | — | 2021 | |
| Listry | 0 | 1 | — | 2022 | |
| Ballymacelligott | 0 | 1 | — | 2023 |
By Division edit
| # | Division | Titles | Runners-up | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Kerry | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Mid Kerry | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| 3 | St Brendan’s | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| South Kerry | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Feale Rangers | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Shannon Rangers | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 7 | St Kieran’s | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Kenmare District | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| West Kerry | 0 | 0 | 0 |
List of finals edit
| Year | Winners | Runners-up | Venue | # | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Score | Club | Score | |||
| 2023 | Listowel Emmets | 0-24 | Ballymacelligott | 1-18 | Austin Stack Park | [4] |
| 2022 | Fossa | 4-15 | Listry | 0-22 | FitzGerald Stadium | [5] |
| 2021 | Gneeveguilla | 0-12 | Skellig Rangers | 0-09 | FitzGerald Stadium | [6] |
| 2020 | Ballydonoghue | 3-20 | Gneeveguilla | 3-18 | Austin Stack Park | [7] |
| 2019 | Na Gaeil | 3-14 | St Senan's | 1-10 | Austin Stack Park | [8] |
| 2018 | Beaufort | 4-13 | Na Gaeil | 2-18 | Austin Stack Park | [9] |
| 2017 | Dromid Pearses | 0-17 | Firies | 1-11 | J. P. O'Sullivan Park | [10] |
| 2016 | Glenbeigh-Glencar | 1-16, 1-06 (R) | Na Gaeil | 0-12, 0-09 (R) | FitzGerald Stadium | [11][12] |
Team records and statistics edit
Performances by divisions edit
| Division | Titles | Runners-up | Years won | Years runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Kerry | 2 | 3 | 2021, 2022 | 2017, 2020, 2022 |
| Mid Kerry | 2 | 0 | 2016, 2018 | — |
| St Brendan’s | 1 | 2 | 2019 | 2016, 2018 |
| South Kerry | 1 | 1 | 2017 | 2021 |
| Feale Rangers | 1 | 1 | 2023 | 2019 |
| Shannon Rangers | 1 | 0 | 2020 | — |
| St Kieran’s | 0 | 1 | — | 2023 |
See also edit
References edit
- ^ O'Mahony, John (20 October 2014). "GAA proposes major SFC surgery". Killarney Today. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ Murphy, Murt (29 October 2023). "Super Mac points the way as Listowel Emmets see off Ballymac fightback". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ Hurley, Denis (5 December 2016). "Glenbeigh-Glencar regroup to keep Kerry's title grip". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ Stack, Damian. "Kerry Premier JFC Final: Jack McElligott-inspired Listowel Emmets hold off Ballymacelligott revival to take title". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ O'Dowd, John (14 November 2022). "Fossa boss Adrian Sheehan's dream comes true with Premier Junior glory". The Kerryman. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ Murphy, Murt (20 November 2021). "Gneeveguilla gain redemption in extra time to claim Kerry Junior Premier title". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ O'Dowd, John (6 September 2021). "Night of high drama as Ballydonoghue win Premier Junior title with late, late Kennelly penalty". The Kerryman. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ Brennan, Paul (11 May 2019). "No luck needed for Na Gaeil who lift title at third time of asking". The Kerryman. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ Brennan, Paul (12 May 2018). "Brilliant Beaufort scale Premier Junior heights in six-goal extra-time thriller against Na Gaeil". The Kerryman. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ "Piarsaigh na Dromada: Junior Premier Champions 2017". Kerry GAA website. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ "Junior Premier Champ Final: Glenbeigh-Glencar 1-16 Na Gaeil 0-12". Kerry GAA website. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ O'Connor, Gavin (16 October 2016). "Culloty Rescues Draw For Na Gaeil Against 13 Man Glenbeigh/Glencar". Tralee Today. Retrieved 13 August 2023.