20th John Kerins Tournament launched at St Finbarr's GAA Club

The finals of the John Kerins Tournament take place on Saturday, June 7, at Páirc Uí Rinn, starting at 9.30am.

Now in its 20th year of games, this U11 football tournament is run by the gardaí in memory of their colleague and former Cork and St Finbarr’s goalkeeper John Kerins, who passed away at a young age. John kept goal for St Finbarr’s for many years and also won two senior All-Ireland football medals with Cork in 1989 and 1990.

He was also a Cork minor selector for a number of years and his dedication to the game was second to none. Several years ago members of the gardaí decided to hold an annual U11 football tournament to honour his memory.

This year’s tournament was officially launched at St Finbarr’s Hurling and Football Club, Togher, recently. It takes place in two stages, with stage one taking place over the last few months.

From the group stages at several clubs around the city and county teams are now through to the quarter-finals of the cup and the semi-finals of the shield.

One of the organisers Supt Mick Comyns, said they were looking forward to another great day’s football.

“This tournament is now very popular among clubs and we would like to thank all sides who entered again this year,” said Mick, “I would like to wish all sides the best of luck for the day and I know we will see some great football played on Saturday week.

I would also like to thank all those who help organise the tournament for all the work they do to ensure everything runs smoothly.

"Our sponsors are vital and we would like to thank Stewart Philpott of St Paul’s Credit Union for their support and The Echo for their coverage of the games. Also to Rebel Óg for their co-operation in organising the games."

In the cup competition are St Nicholas, Bishopstown, Éire Óg, Carrigaline, Nemo Rangers, Valley Rovers, Douglas and Inniscarra. In the shield tournament, Ballygarvan, Crosshaven, Whitechurch and Blarney feature.

Up first are the cup quarter-finals, with St Nicholas v Bishopstown getting proceedings underway at 9.30am.

This will be followed by Éire Óg v Carrigaline, Nemo Rangers v defending champions Valley Rovers and Douglas v Inniscarrs.

They will be followed by the shield semi-finals as Ballygarvan take on Blarney 11.30am and holders Crosshaven face Whitechurch at Blarney at 12 noon.

The cup semi-finals are scheduled for 12.30pm and 1pm, with the shield final at 1.30pm.

The cup final is due to take place at 2.15pm.