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HISTORIC COMMERATION: Former Club Chairman, Billy Ryle has penned the following article – The family of Volunteer Michael Ryle will commemorate the centenary of his death next weekend in a dignified and respectful manner based on forgiveness, gratitude, reconciliation and peace.
Volunteer Michael Ryle was a member 1st Battalion, Kerry No 1 Brigade of the Irish Republican Army who died in action on the 5th August 1922. He was from Pembroke Street, Tralee, where his parents, William and Ellen, owned a Public House and Grocery Shop.
A white wooden cross is positioned in his memory at Ballycarty, Ballyseedy. Michael Ryle is also named on the Roll of Honour on the Ballyseedy Memorial Monument and on the Headstone at the Republican grave at Rath Cemetery, Tralee.
Michael Ryle was a brother of Tom Ryle, an uncle of Billy Ryle and a great granduncle of Louis Ryle. After the Civil War, Michael’s father forgave his son’s killers and regularly remarked that the Rock Street GAA Club had an important role to play in reuniting men who had taken up arms against each other.
A laurel wreath will be laid at the White Cross at Ballycarty, Ballyseedy at 7.30pm on Monday, 1st August. The highlight of the commemoration will be a lecture by Dr Tim Horgan, Historian & Author, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 2nd August at Kerry County Library, Tralee Branch about Volunteer Michael Ryle and the troubled times in which he lived and died.
Dylan Casey gives a wave to the crowd at the homecoming on Denny Street. Photo by Dermot Crean
ALL IRELAND CHAMPIONS: Well done to Kerry, winning their 38th All Ireland SF title last Sunday. And congratulations also to Joseph O’Connor, Jack O’Shea, Greg Horan and Dylan Casey who were part of the Kerry panel during the season.
Great to see Joe on the Hogan Stand lifting the Cup with Seán O’Shea. And it was Joe and Seán who were involved in the closing action of the game – Joe being fouled and Seán converting the resultant free to give them a four points cushion at that stage.
KERRY LADIES SF: And let us wish the Kerry Ladies, with our own Darragh Long at the helm, the best of luck on next Sunday as they take on Meath in the All Ireland Ladies Final – seeking their first title since 1993, the year when Marina Barry Walsh won her 10th and last All Ireland Medal – a record that has still not been surpassed in any Senior grade – only Henry Shefflin has equaled it with the Kilkenny Senior Hurlers.
CO. LEAGUE: And well done also to Dingle who are this season’s Co. League (Div.1) champions – their 2nd title in a row and their 3rd in total. We still head the Roll of Honours list with 11 titles with Crokes on 10 and Laune Rangers with 9. Rahillys are on 4th spot with 5 titles and now Dingle come up to 5th position with their 3 titles. Two other teams – Desmonds and Milltown-Castlemaine – have two titles each with nine other teams having won the League on one occasion.
BRIAN CODY: And what can one say about Brian Cody who retired at the week-end after 24 seasons in charge of the Kilkenny Senior Hurlers, winning 11 All Irelands, 18 Leinster titles and 10 National Hurling Leagues. Only our own Dr. Eamon O’Sullivan would surpass him in longetivity. Dr. Eamon was in charge of Kerry from 1924 to 1964 but not involved in all the Finals during that period. He managed Kerry in eight of the 15 titles they won during that 40 year period. That 1964 Final was the only final he lost – and who were the victors that day – Galway.
SENIOR FOOTBALL: At local level we now turn our attention to the Co. Club Championship which gets underway on the week-end after next. In the Senior Club eight teams are contesting in two groups of four. Dingle, Kenmare, Na Gaeil and Spa are in Group A, while ourselves, Dr. Crokes, Kerins O’Rahillys and Templenoe are in Group B. Each team will have three games each at a neutral venue, a home venue and an away venue, with the top two teams in each Group going through to the semi finals.
In the opening round on next Sunday week (7th August) we travel to a neutral venue (the Legion pitch at Derreen) to play Templenoe with a 1pm start. In round 2 we have a home game against Kerins O’Rahillys and in the third and final round we are away to Dr. Crokes.
B FOOTBALL: Kerins O’Rahillys 3-15; Austin Stacks 1-9.
This was our first game in this three-round Tralee/St. Brendans League played in Strand Rd on this Tuesday evening (19th July). The home side had the aid of a very strong breeze in the first half and took full advantage of same when they went in at half time with a 1-10 to 0-3 score. Our three points came from Cian Dillane, Donagh McKivergan (a super effort) and Shane Bastible.
Even though we had that strong breeze in our favour in the second half Rahillys just outscored again by 2-5 to 1-6. Donagh McKivergan was again on target in this half with three points (two from frees), Team captain, Paul Barrett and Conor Myers had a point each from play, and Shane Bastible scoring a goal and a point, his goal one of the scores of the season, from a 25m free.
Five of our players who lined out were making their first start of the season, Paul Galvin, Cathal O’Reilly, Tom O’Farrell, Seán Dukes and great to see Shane Durran back in action after a number of years away, and all five played as if they never were away.
Team; Ben Quilter, Ruairí O’Connell, David Burke, Paul Galvin, Cian Dillane (0-1), Donagh McMahon, Cathal O’Reilly, Dara Barry Walsh, Paul Barrett (Capt) (0-1), Tom O’Farrell, Shane Bastible (1-2), Dean Rusk, Conor Myers (0-1), Donagh McKivergan (0-4 – two frees), Daniel O’Rourke.
Subs used: Seán Dukes (27m), Shane Durran (41m).
In our two remaining postponed rounds we have an away game against Ballymac and a home game againstJohn Mitchels on dates yet to be refixed as we write.
CONGRATULATIONS: And on the B Team let us send congratulations and best wishes to former Club Footballer and current B Team Mentor, Dale Counihan and Ashling O’Mahony who got married last Friday.
MINOR FOOTBALL: After going down by the narrowest of margins to Kenmare (0-13 to 0-12) in the opening round last week we now have a home game against St. Kierans on this Tuesday evening (26th July) with the third and final round away to Dr. Crokes on next Monday (1st August). Throw-in for all games is at 7pm.
ONLINE CLUB SHOP: A reminder that our Club shop is open 24/7. Check out the newest ‘official’ Austin Stacks Club Merchandise – only available to order on this link (free delivery on any orders over €50) see www.oneills.com We would also like to introduce the new Austin Stacks Ganzee Club Clothing Collection, available in Mens/Unisex, Womens & kids check out all the style ranges in hoodies, t-shirts and sweatshirts on www.ganzee.ie/austin-stacks-gaa-clubs/
CLUB CARDS: Our Card sessions continue in the Clubhouse on Monday and Thursday nights with the starting time at 9pm sharp.
CLUB LOTTO: Monday Night’s (25th July) Jackpot, worth €2,800 was not won. The numbers drawn were 8, 13, 17, 29. The €20 winners were Christina Laide and Bridie Carmody, both c/o The Club; Willie Walsh, c/o Brendan O’Regan; Kevin Cotter, c/oThe Brogue; and Angela Horgan, c/o Kevin Barrys.
Next Week’s Jackpot will be worth €2,850.
Continued thanks to the following businesses for selling our Club Lotto tickets – Kevin Barry’s Shop, Commane’s Book Shop, O’Flynn Interiors, Hussey’s, Princess St., The Burger Shack, Monavally as well as Maguire’s Butchers and Kirby’s Brogue Inn and continued thanks to everyone who purchase tickets week in, week out.
Austin Stacks lotto tickets are now also available to purchase on line on the following link: https://play.clubforce.com/play_newa.asp?ll_id=X529#Anchor Kirby’s Brogue Inn Maguire’s Butchers Hussey’s P. Commane Books.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the family of Kieran Conway, Ashleigh Downes and formerly Crossmolina who died recently.
