COUNTY CONVENTION: Club Chairman, Billy Ryle, is asking any Club members who wish to submit nominations to Club Secretary, Elma Nix for consideration by the Club Executive Committee, for submission to the County Convention, to do so by 5pm on Monday next, 1st November. Motions will be accepted by email only and must contain the names of a proposer and a seconder.

SENIOR FOOTBALL: The first round of the Co. Championship goes ahead on this weekend with four games taking place on Saturday and the other four on Sunday.  Our game, against East Kerry in Austin Stack Park, is part of a double-header on Saturday evening (30th Oct). At 5pm St. Kierans take on Kerins O’Rahillys with our game fixed for 7pm.  This will be our 13th meeting in Senior Co. Championship since we first met a team named East Kerry away back 90 years ago in 1931. The 12 times we have played up to now has seen East Kerry win 6 while we have won 5 – one game was abandoned but replayed in 1933. On the last two occasions the sides met it was a win each. We came out best in 2016 – winning by 1-16 to 2-8 (in round one) while East Kerry won the last time we met – 2019 – by 3-13 to 3-7 (in round 2B). So best of luck to our lads as they move on from their Club Championship victory.

KIERAN DONAGHY: Win or lose on Saturday it will be an historic evening under lights in Austin Stack Park as one of the greatest footballers of Club and County will be making a Club County Championship record that has stood for almost 30 years. Kieran Donaghy will be making his 60th SF Co. Championship appearance, taking over from the great Ger O’Keeffe whose record of 59 appearances has lasted since the 5th July 1992.

Star first lined out with the Club in Senior Co. Championship football  in that famous (some might say – infamous) game in Gallarus on that Sunday evening – the 11th August 2002. He now becomes the first player in the 104 year history of the Club to reach the 60 mark. As well as Ger O’Keeffe there are only three other players, so-far, who have made fifty or more appearances – Mikey Collins with 53, Ger Power with 52 and William Kirby on 50.

JOHN BREEN: He has been one of the outstanding workmen for many years as part of the Club’s Employment Scheme but John’s term is coming to an end shortly and we all wish him well in his retirement. John performed work over and above the call of duty all hours of the day and night and has volunteered to continue helping with the weekly Lotto sessions. Thanks again John, on behalf of everyone in the Club, for your gallant work down the years.

CLUB BAR: Any members who have been in the Club Bar of late will have noticed the beautiful painting job carried out over the past few weeks. Our thanks to our volunteers who gave of their own time to do this splendid work – Kevin Healy and Denis Sayers and John Breen, Ger Mannix and John King who fitted back all those famous pictures on the wall.

FITNESS CLASSES: The Individual Pod Fitness Training sessions continues in the Clubhouse every Tuesday and Thursday evenings  from 7pm to 8pm. All are welcome. Contact Diane at 087 7940531 for further information.

OCTOBER IN THE PAST (22/10 to 31/10). On the field of play (30th Oct. 1989) our Ladies SF team regained the Co. Championship after a lapse of seven years, defeating a fancied Beaufort side in Castleisland by 1-5 to 2-0.

Team: Eleanor Trant, Xavier Reidy, Tess O’Carroll, Marie Slattery, Julie Stack, Aileen McLoughlin, Barbara Whyte, Dell Whyte, Máire Ní Laighin, Marina Barry, Lily Moloney, Claire Connolly (Capt), Anne O’Callaghan, Pat O’Mahony, Mary Ellen Hurley. Subs: Tina Carey, Kathleen Casey, Marie O’Hara. Trainer: John Walsh. Selectors: Helen Dowling, Johnny Dowling.

Also on the field of play (23rd Oct 1994) our SF Mens team captured the Club’s 10th Co. Championship when they defeated Dr. Crokes in a replay in Fitzgerald Stadium by 0-12 to 1-5.

Team: Michael Hussey, Liam Liddy, Jerry Fitzmaurice, Pat Slattery (Capt), Malachy Nagle, Pa Laide (0-1), John Galvin, Cormac Kennedy, John Walsh, Denis Sayers, Darren Aherne (0-7), Gerry Lynch, Owen Moynihan (0-1), Martin McKivergan, Donal McEvoy (0-3). Subs: Eddie Dowling, John Barry.

Four outstanding Club members passed away during this time in the past – Johnny B. Brosnan (22nd Oct 2002), Paddy Paul Casey (28th Oct 2007), Maurice Collins (25th Oct 2016) and Jerry Dennehy (28th Oct 2016).

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/

CARDS: Our Card sessions, which resumed om Monday night (25th Oct) after a lay-off of 19 months, will continue  twice weekly (Mondays and Thursdays) commence at 9.30pm. The position will be closely monitors and any further changes/cancelations that may have to be made will be in accordance with Public Health guidelines.

CLUB LOTTO: Monday Night’s (25th Oct) Jackpot, worth €3,100, was not won. The numbers drawn were 8, 9, 15, 29. The €20 winners were Noel O’Connell and Terry Healy, both c/o The Club; Martina Hurley, c/o On-Line; Patricia McElligott, co Annette Carmody and James Curtin, c/o Carmel O’Neill

Next Monday’s Jackpot will be worth €3,150.

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., Terry’s Butcher’s, Oakpark 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=529#Anchor Kirby’s Brogue Inn Maguire’s Butchers Hussey’s P. Commane Books.

SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently: Eileen Galvin (nee Fitzgerald), Parkearagh and formerly Ballyfinogue, Rathanny (aunt of former Club Chairman, Liam Lynch and current Club Joint Treasurer, Shane Lynch); Mary Collins (nee Breen), St. John’s Park and formerly Blennerville; Patsy Corcoran (nee Blennerhassett), Clarinbridge and formerly Tralee; Batty Coffey, Caherslee and The Shoe Shop, Rock Street; and Elizabeth (Lizzie) O’Brien, Kevin Barry’s Villas.

NOTAI NA NÓG

THE CUPS: The John Galvin Trophy, Corn Jimmy de Barra, the Gary Fernane Cup, the Paddy Drummond Cup and the Bracker ‘Regan Cup were played for last Sunday morning! What an occasion! Dozens and dozens of Black’n’Amber-clad juveniles rushed and raced in all directions! D’ardódh sé do chroí! It was so moving and uplifting to have relatives and friends of the above-named former Rock stalwarts present for the games and for the very special and important presentations at the end! Memories, emotions, friendships, tradition, family! Another year in the life of The Rock….céim bheag amháin eile i saol mhuintir na Carraige! And the Black’n’Amber of the Street of Champions fluttered proudly in an autumn breeze over our beloved Connolly!

PEIL FAOI 7: We had a brilliant final morning’s football that was really enjoyed by all players. The many faithful and diligent mentors also had a good time; they experienced great satisfaction and were happy with the season’s work. After an hour of exciting football, our youngsters were presented with their medals. It was undoubtedly a great year at The Rock. Thanks to all the coaches and parents who were involved or helped out during the year, among whom were Éamonn Scanlon, Richard Long, Mickey Collins, Daragh Long, Tommy Lyons, William Kirby, Kevin O’Leary, Finbarr Canty, Jonathan Magnier, Brendan Smith, Tim McMahon. Sin a bhfuil for the 2021 outdoor season! Sad that’s its over but glad to have experienced it! We now look forward to seeing everyone for the indoor season in January. Roll on 2022!
PEIL FAOI 9: The Bracker Regan Cup, the Paddy Drummond Cup and the Jimmy Barry Cup Tournaments certainly put a wonderful finish to a brilliant football season that ended on an enjoyable and happy note on a pleasant sunny Sunday morning (24th) i bPáirc na mBan Rialta, Páirc Uí Chonghaile. The Bracker Regan Cup was won and lost and/but everyone had fun! ‘Well done’ to all the boys who played lovely football. Thanks to all bainisteoirí and mentors for their great dedication and thanks to all parents/guardians/grandparents/cousins/fans for their support. See you all in the new year….indoors!
PEIL FAOI 11: To win the John Galvin Trophy or the Gary Fernane Cup was the intention of every one of these lads on Sunday morning last at the HQ of Austin Stack Club! Players played their hearts out, fought with might and main, gave their ‘all’ but there was only one victorious team…..there were victors and runners-up, vanquishers and vanquished, conquerors and defeated and, gan dabht ar domhan, football and fun and family were the winners! Thanks to players, to parents/supporters and to lucht stiúrtha na mbuachaillí faoi 11….namely, managers, mentors and motivators. And an exciting adventure drew to an exciting end with the end-of-season presentation of well-deserved medals! Memories for life!
PEIL FAOI 13: Division 3 final of the Timberland Kitchens & Flooring (Tralee) and Tralee and St Brendan Boards League……AdeS C Team v K-O’R A team. A thriller!
What started out as a project to give boys more game time and to give some of our U11 footballers an experience of what they will be facing next year, turned into something special. A heavy defeat in the opening round of the division…away to the Kerins-O’Rahilly Club U11 As…was followed up by two wins against Na Gaeil B and Ardfert B. This saw us take 2nd place in the group and earn our place in the final against our town neighbours. Under the lights of the Nuns’ Field in Connolly Park, our panel of 20 boys proudly lined up in the Black’n’Amber. A big crowd had gathered on the sidelines in support of both teams and there was a great sense of excitement in the air. Both teams started well. Strong attack play from our halfbacks and midfield players saw our opening scores (3 free kicks) come from the boot of U11 star Danny Lane (1-6). However, two early goals from the O’Rahilly A boys had them in the lead at the first water break. A mighty 2nd quarter by the Rockies saw a goal each from Kyle Yoxall (1-0) and Danny Lane (1-0) and a point from play by David Hobbert (0-1). That put The Rock in the lead for half time….2-5 to 2-2. The Blues played very well in the 3rd quarter and pushed ahead with two early goals and 3 points. U11 substitute Ryan O’Flaherty recovered some momentum for us with a great point to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Five points behind at the final water break of the season, and managing a few injury issues, the coaching team of Pa Laide, Martin Courtney and Ger Hobbert made a few positional changes and substitutions. Kyle Yoxall, moving from being goalscorer to being goalkeeper, made two great saves early in the final quarter to keep us in the game. Finally, our boys’ hard work paid off with a goal by Barry Laide (1-0). Another strong attack led to a quickly-taken free kick which hit the back of net. Unfortunately, the goal was disallowed as the free was not taken from the correct position. A point from the retaken free saw the game come down to the bare minimum for the last few minutes. Excitement! Tension! Unfortunately for our very brave boys, the final whistle came too soon. Final score…AdeS Cs: 3-8; K-O’R As: 4-6.
Overall, this was a great sporting experience for all involved and a good clean game of football was played by both teams. As we finished up our football season, we encouraged our very brave but disappointed boys to keep the heads up and to ‘stay away from the phones and PlayStations’ and get out and practice their football skills during the off season. They’re a great group of boys! They’ll be mighty in 2022! We promised that we’d see them back next year….at U13 level. Every boy got game time in this final and every player performed very well, showing great work rate, discipline and skill.
Foireann C na Carraige: Alex Darfoor; Matthew Guerin, Darragh Lyons, Oisín Cotter; Joe Barry, David Hobbert, Jay Swan (captaen); Barry Laide, Danny Lane; Seán McCannon, Harry Murphy, Killian Coffey; Ewan Canty, Kyle Yoxall, Luke O’Connor; Jack Walsh, Denis Griffin, Noah Reidy, David Ahearn, Ryan O’Flaherty.
‘It was one of the most enjoyable juvenile matches I’ve attended,’ stated an excited and exhausted Shane Lynch after the game. Ár mbuíochas le Ger Hobbert a chuir peann le pár.
CORN UÍ SHÚILLEABHÁIN (Peil Faoi 19): (i) Tralee CBS are worthy champions of Kerry after defeating Cathair Saidhbhín (Coláiste na Sceilge) in the final of the Dr Éamonn O’Sullivan Cup competition on a scoreline of 1-16 to 2-8. Rock players on The Green panel: Ben Cuiltéir (sa chúl), Ruairí Ó Conaill (0-1), Colm de Brún, Armin Heinrich (0-1), Conchúr Ó hÓdhráin (0-2), Jordan Ó Cíosáin (1-4), Cian Ó Brosnacháin, Séamus Mac Cathail, Donnacha Mac a’tSaoir. Mór-chomhghairdeachas leo agus le Tim McMahon and Damien McLoughlin. (ii) The Mercy Mounthawk senior boys faced an Scoil Idirmheánach (ISK), Cill Orglan, last week in the O’Sullivan Shield and gave a great account of themselves. The Rock players on board the Mounthawk ship: Paidí Ó Laighin, Eimhín Ó Foghlú, Caden Ó Mathúna, Jack Ó Murchú, Joey de Nógla, Noah Townsend, Cillian Litchfield, Brian Mac Eileagóid.
CORN SHEÁIN UÍ MHURCHÚ (Peil Faoi 19): Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí v Coláiste an Rísigh, Inis, ar an gCéadaoin 3ú Samhain in Inis. Go n-éirí go geal le Cian Ó Duilleáin agus lena chomhbhádóirí!
CORN UÍ MHUIMHNEACHÁIN: Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí won Corn Uí Mhuimhneachain for the first time last week. They defeated Coláiste Phádraig, Oileán Ciarraí, in a brilliant game. The sides were level at the 2nd sos uisce but buachaillí Thrá Lí pulled away in the final minutes and won on a scoreline of 0-15 to 0-11. D’imir fear na Carraige, Cian Ó Duilleáin, sárchluiche ag uimhir a seacht. .
COLÁISTÍ FAOI 15: (i) Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí were unlucky v Neidín (Inbhear Scéine) last week i gConnolly Park. Ionadaí na Carraige ar an bpainéal: Gavin Ó Cathasaigh. (ii) The Mercy Mounthawk U15 boys were unlucky v Coláiste Naomh Mícheál, Lios Tuathail, in the Corn Éamonn Uí Dhonnchú competition last week. (iii) The Green U15 boys faced and defeated Coláiste Bhréanainn last week in the semi-final of the Corn an Bhráthar Colm Taft competition on a scoreline of 5-11 to 3-11. Another great victory for The Green! The Rock players on the panel: Fionan Ryan, Naode Derege, Ryan O’Driscoll, Ronan Carroll. Imríodh an cluiche i bhFosadh.
IOMÁNAÍOCHT FAOI 16½: Fixtures: (i) Corn Uí Dhrisceoil…..Tralee CBS U16½ hurlers v Coláiste na Trócaire, Rathkeale, on Wednesday 3rd November at 12.30pm in The Bog Garden; (ii) Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí U16½ hurlers v Desmond College, An Gort Buí, Contae Luimnigh, on Wednesday 3rd November in Caherslee, (iii) Mercy Mounthawk U16½ hurlers v Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh at 12.30pm on Wednesday 3rd November ag Club na Mistéalach.
WAYNE’s WARRIORS: And the tradition continues! Our best wishes to Dylan Ó Cathasaigh agus a fhoireann v Ciarraí Thoir. The game will be played at 7pm on Saturday next (30th). Our boys’ recent 4-star performance v Seamróga Neidín gives afficionados of The Rock great hope! The Austin Stack Club Black’n’Amber Brigade will stroll to an historic Austin Stack Park in fullest confidence of victory! Will you be there? Trí gháir bhua don Charraig! Up The Rock (x3)!
SIOPA: Austin Stack Club merchandise….húdaithe, t-léinte, léinte aclaíochta agus Cnuasach Éadaigh ‘Ganzee’….may be viewed on www.ganzee.ie/austin-stacks-gaa-clubs/. Items may be purchased in all sizes and may be ordered only on this link: www.oneills.com (free delivery for orders over €50).
LOTTO: Club lotto supporters: (i) Maguires, Butchers, Caherslee, (ii) Siopa Chaoimhín de Barra, Rock Street, (iii) Paudie Commane’s Book Shop, Rock Street, (iv) O’Flynn Interiors, Rock Street, (v) Kirbys’ Brogue Inn (An Bhróg), Rock Street, (vi) Terry’s Butcher Shop, Upper Oakpark, (vii) Husseys’ Deli, Prince’s Street, (viii) The Burger Shack, Monavalley, and (ix) www.austinstacks.ie.
COMHDHÁIL AN CHONTAE: The County GAA Convention will take place on December 6th. Rock Club members who wish to submit nominations to that convention must submit them beforehand to Elma….by 5pm on Monday November 1st. They will then be consideration/discussed by our own Club Executive Committee. That committee may then submit them to the County Convention. Motions will be accepted by email only and must contain the names of a proposer and a seconder. This is an opportunity for club members to raise any issues that are of importance to them.