Bark of the net; KERRY'S NEWEST SPORTING SENSATION IS ALFIE THE DOG.

Byline: BY ANNE LUCEY

LIVING around here, you'd be barking mad not to take up some kind of sport.

And for Alfie, a four-year-old Labrador and Retriever cross, there is no escaping the rugby, soccer or Gaelic-mad locals, no matter how ruff it gets.

He is a regular at the Killarney Legion GAA pitch where he has honed his ball skills.

He fetches, plays in goal and is well able to outrun a back - but only when the Co Kerry teams are training.

His owner Pa McGillycuddy said: "He stays on the sidelines when the game is on, but he brings back the ball when it's kicked out.

"If the Legion are able to train a dog, they can train anyone."

Alfie will cross a fence to retrieve the ball and onlookers are astonished to see him bringing it back on the pitch.

He also trains with the Killarney Celtic soccer club and goes to training each evening for a two-hour session and is known to put in an appearance at the nearby Killarney rugby grounds.

Mr McGillycuddy said most people are amazed at his doggedness in training.

He even became concerned at the amount of running Alfie did. But his vet assured him Alfie was "the fittest dog in Kerry".

AND HERE'S FIVE TEAMS ALFIE COULD PLAY FOR

1. Dogheda Utd

2. Barkburn Rovers

3. Bristail Rovers

4. Pawsmouth

5. Bonehemians

CAPTION(S):

FETCH He's on the ball; KITTED OUT Alfie is a team player wearing his Killarney shirt in Co Kerry yesterday Pics: EAMONN KEOGH; KEEPY-P-UPPY Eye on the ball; PAWS OFF Showing his defence skills