DEATH OF BRENDAN DOWLING: There was great sadness in the Club and in the local community last Tuesday (20th Sept) when news broke of the death of our current Club President, Brendan Dowling. Brendan was appointed to that position in 2010 following the passing of Fr. Mícheál Galvin and like Fr. Mícheál he took a keen interest in Club affairs during his tenure of the last twelve years.
Brendan began his involvement with the Club with success. In 1955 he was a member of the great MH team that won the MH Co. Championship that year – defeating a fancied Ballyheigue team by 9-4 (31) to 2-2 (8). Brendan wore the Number 8 jersey that day and he and his fellow centre-field man, Frank Tiernan dominated mid-field on that September day and contributed in no small way to our brilliant victory.
Two years before that, at the aged of 16, he was a member of our MF team that reached the 1953 Co. Final, going down to Castleisland in a low-scoring game (1-0 to 0-1).
When his playing days were over he continued his involvement in Club affairs and served as Assistant Secretary for a number of years before becoming one of the Club’s outstanding Chairmen for a four year term during the 1986-1989 period. It was during Brendan’s time as Chairman that the Club developed their new Clubhouse/Bar in Connolly Park which was officially opened in June 1989. His sons Eddie and Tommy played with the Club – Eddie was a member of the SF Co. Championship winning team in 1994.
And what a turn-out on Saturday morning for the removal of his remains from Connolly Park to St. Brendans Church and from there to Rath Cemetery. Thanks so much to everyone who took part in the Guard of Honour and to everyone who contributed during the Mass and the Graveside, including our own Club Chairman, Shane Lynch.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is also offered to the families of the following who died recently: Eileen O’Mahony (nee Turner), Leith West and formerly St. Brendan’s Park; John O’Hanlon, Upper Tonevane; Michael Doran, Casements Ave. (brother of the late Richard, one of the Club’s great Card Players); and Margaret McCarthy (nee Doran), Rockpark Ave. and formerly Brosna.
SENIOR FOOTBALL: Mid Kerry 1-15; Austin Stacks 1-7
With both sides already through to the quarter finals this 3rd and final round –robin qualifier was just to determine first and second positions on the Group 3 table and in Beaufort on last Sunday afternoon (25th Sept) Mid Kerry led all the way through this game to achieve this top of the table status.
After a measured start by our lads on at least three occasions it was the home side who opened the scoring after three minutes and they added two more points just inside the 10th minute. From the kick-out Conor Horan won possession and after a good move up field it was Conor again in possession to open our scoring with a well-taken point from play. A minute later David Mannix scored our second from a free after a foul on team captain, Michael O’Donnell. Both sides then had a point each by the 15thminute – ours from Conor Jordan after being put through by Kieran Donaghy. We failed to score during the second quarter while Mid Kerry added three more to put them four ahead at the break (0-7 to 0-3).
Seán Quilter, who came on for the second half, had a pointed free inside the second minute but then Mid Kerry added two from play in quick succession to put them five ahead. We were back in the game by the 37th minute when Michael O’Donnell netted to reduce their lead again to two points. Mid Kerry pointed again three minutes later and then during a seven minute spell up to the 49th minute we produced our best performance of the afternoon, scoring three unanswered points to level the game for the first time.
However that was as good as it got for us as we failed to score for the rest of the game while Mid Kerry added a further five points and a consolation last minute goal. Their goal tally could have more but for at least three outstanding saves by Wayne Guthrie. The first came in the 23rd minute of the first half. The second came in the 22nd minute of the second half. We all thought those two were outstanding , and they were, but it’s difficult to find a word to describe his third and final save in added time – ‘awesome’ is hardly sufficient to describe it.
Cian Purcell missed the game though injury after making his Co. Championship debut last week. Also making their debuts today were Eoghan Carroll and Gearóid Fitzgerald.
Prior to the game there was a Minute’s Silence in honour of our recently deceased Club President, Brendan Dowling.
Team: Wayne Guthrie, Colin Griffin, Jack O’Shea, Niall Fitzmaurice, Greg Horan, Conor Jordan (0-1), Paul O’Sullivan, Michael O’Donnell (Capt) (1-0), Barry Shanahan, Armin Heinrich, Michael O’Gara, Conor Horan (0-2), Shane O’Callaghan (0-1), Kieran Donaghy, David Mannix (0-1 – one free).
Subs used: Seán Quilter (ht) (0-1 free), Adam Curran (38m), Ronan Shanahan (40m), Eoghan Carroll (52m), Gearóid Fitzgerald (58m).
The knock-out quarter finals will now go ahead on the week-end after next with a possible double header in Austin Stacks Park on the Saturday night (8th Oct) and in Fitzgerald Stadium on the Sunday afternoon. We have drawn Feale Rangers and it will be Dingle .v. Dr. Crokes; Mid Kerry .v. Templenoe and East Kerrys .v. Kenmare Shamrocks.
B FOOTBALL: The Molyneaux Shield Final, between ourselves and Kerins O’Rahillys has now been refixed for this coming Saturday evening (1st Oct) at 5pm with a venue still to be confirmed as we write.
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: This week’s (26th Sept) Jackpot, worth €2,250 was not won. The numbers drawn were 4, 7, 10, 19. The €20 winners were Kevin O’Carroll, Declan O’Brien and Diarmuid Brennan, all c/o The Club; Sarah O’Riordan, c/o John O’Riordan and Brian Collins, c/o Martin Collins.
Next Week’s Jackpot will be worth €2,300.
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 InnMaguire’s Butchers Hussey’s P. Commane Books.
GARDAI in Tralee are appealing for witnesses to an incident involving a child last week in town.
