AFTER the snow/ice and low temperature warnings of last week, it’s back to a familiar rainfall one for tomorrow.
Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow Rain warning for Cork, Kerry and Waterford where they predict prolonged rainfall through Wednesday and Wednesday night.
They say there is the potential for localised flooding and difficult travelling conditions in some areas.
The warning is valid from 4pm on Wednesday to 6am on Thursday. Looking locally, it looks like the rain will be persistent in the Tralee area from 1pm tomorrow to just after midnight.
THE Minister for Education and Kerry T.D Norma Foley has visited Philadelphia and New York as part of the Government’s St Patrick’s Day programme of events.
During a week of events and speaking engagements in the United States, Minister Foley took the opportunity also to visit local education facilities and education partnerships.
Minister Foley attended the Ireland Day Leadership Breakfast at the New York Stock Exchange where she met with Special Envoy Joe Kennedy and Congressman Richie Neal and discussed the breakthrough Windsor Framework.
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Later that morning the Minister took part in the 11th annual ‘Ireland Day’ Opening Bell Ceremony alongside Special Envoy Kennedy, Congressman Neal and members of the Ireland INC business network.
The Minister also met with a host of leaders in the business sector including Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, IBEC, UNICEF Ireland and SelectUSA.
Over the course of the New York mission Minister Foley took the opportunity to visit Yonkers Montessori Academy where she met with students and toured the school facilities.
The Minister also met with with members of Kerry Association in New York and visited the Irish Arts Center.
Prior to visiting New York, the Minister held a number of engagements in Philadelphia which included representing Ireland at the St Patrick’s Day parade, a roundtable discussion on Irish-US education and sports and culture initiatives.
Minister Foley said: “I am truly honoured to represent Ireland as part of the Government’s St Patrick’s Day programme of events, visiting two cities, New York and Philadelphia, which are steeped in Irish history.
“I particularly enjoyed rich discussions with many young people both in Philadelphia and New York who eloquently expressed what being Irish means to them in 21st century America and explored potential for future US/Irish education and business initiatives.
“It is imperative that the Irish Government uses its platform on our national holiday to highlight Ireland’s strong, cultural, economic and historical ties with the United States and to emphasise our support for the Windsor Agreement,” she added.
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“Throughout my visit I was struck by the place the homeland of Ireland holds for many first and second generation Irish immigrants now settled in America. As we move ever closer to a global community the bonds of friendship that tie the Irish/American communities together have never been stronger and it remains a key objective of this Government to continue to foster, nurture and ennoble these connections.”
“A particular personal highlight of the trip was the opportunity to meet with so many of the Kerry diaspora at the Kerry Hall in Yonkers and a number of former Rose of Tralee contestants at events throughout the week,” said Minister Foley.
JOHN O’Connor has been appointed as new senior bainisteoir of Kerins O’Rahillys for the coming year, taking over from William Harmon who stepped down in January.
Announcing the news, club chairman Haulie Kerins said he was delighted that ‘Johnno’ had accepted the invitation to manage the team in 2023 and wished him all the best for the year ahead.
“Johnno has been a fantastic servant to the club for the past number of years, first as a player where his no nonsense and never say die attitude endeared him to team mates and supporters alike,” said Haulie.
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“He exudes passion and was never one to shirk a challenge. Since he retired he has been involved in the club as a coach at under age level and served as a selector with Will Harmon’s successful management team for the past three years.
“As a club, we were anxious that there would be continuity and familiarity with this group of players and Johnno ticked all the boxes in this regard. We are delighted that he has committed to us for the upcoming year and are happy that the players will respond to him and his management team,” said Haulie.
Johnno is currently finalising his management team which will be in place shortly. Kerins O’Rahillys begin their County League campaign at home against Castleisland Desmonds this Friday morning at 11am.
SINN Féin TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, has said that data released on the number of eviction notices served from July to September 2022 underlines the need for the government to reverse its decision to end the eviction ban.
Deputy Daly was speaking after data released by the Residential Tenancies Board showed that 120 eviction notices were served in Kerry in Q3 2022.
“The figures released by the Residential Tenancies Board today are truly shocking and seriously worrying,” said Deputy Daly. “We have had dozens of constituents contacting us, anxious for themselves and their families.”
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“The latest RTB figures show that the sale of homeless risk from April 1st, when the government’s ban on evictions ends, is much worse than expected. Notices issued from July to September would have, in many cases, fallen due from February during the ban period. A huge number of these notices will now fall due in April.”
“This will mean more people than ever before will have to leave their homes. Homeless services will not be able to cope. The consequence will be thousands of people forced to stay with family and friends, a rise in rough sleeping, and the prospect of families with children being referred to Garda stations for a safe place to sleep,” he said.
“Government must immediately reverse the decision to end the ban on evictions. Emergency legislation must be brought before the Dáil before the ban ends on March 31st and all renters must be given the protection they deserve.
“The government must accompany an extension of the ban on evictions with emergency measures to extend and expand the tenant-in-situ scheme for social and affordable rental and using emergency planning and procurement powers to target vacant and derelict homes and new building technologies to ramp up the delivery of public housing,” said Deputy Daly.
A TRALEE councillor called for more urgent action to address the problem on dog waste on the new Tralee-Fenit Greenway.
At the meeting of the Tralee Municipal District of Kerry County Council last Wednesday, Labour Cllr. Terry O’Brien asked the Council to give an update on when the bins and pooper scoopers would be installed along the Greenway.
He was told by management that the provision of dog waste disposal bins on the Tralee/ Fenit Greenway is currently at tender stage and it’s anticipated that they will be installed in May of this year.
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Routine and targeted inspections involving the Dog Warden and Municipal District Enforcement Officer will be carried out at the walking routes throughout the year and added that dog owners need to take personal responsibility for their dogs when out walking with them.
Cllr O’Brien said it should have gone to tender long ago. He said he has been getting calls from people saying there is dog waste all over the greenway and asked that the dog warden make more frequent visits.
Mayor Mikey Sheehy acknowledged it’s a difficult task for the warden to patrol a 13.5km route, so he suggested a maintenance team be put in place for the greenways to address these issues.
Sinn Féin Cllr Cathal Foley said plastic bags should not be used to collect the dog faeces as the bags are then discarded in the ditches along the greenway and this becomes an even worse problem. He said compostable, biodegradable bags should be used by dog owners to be disposed of responsibly.
A LOCAL councillor has asked that safe walking and cycling routes be created to gain access to Banna beach.
At last week’s meeting of the Tralee Municipal District of Kerry County Council, Sinn Féin Cllr Deirdre Ferris asked that the Council prioritise Banna for Active Travel applications to facilitate walking and cycling infrastructure from the Leisure Centre to the beach.
Cllr Ferris said there is always traffic congestion in the area during the summer with people walking along the sides of the road and cars trying to pass.
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She said it was one of the top beaches in the world, yet there is no safe walking or cycling infrastructure to access the beach.
She said there is no public transport in the area and an alternative route for people who do not want to drive cars down to the beach should be put in place.
Cllr Ferris asked that plans would be formulated and funding sought as soon as possible to provide safe walking and cycling access to the beach.
In reply, management said Tralee Municipal District shall consider this proposal for future suitable funding submissions.
A SPECIAL function was held on Friday evening to honour retired staff and members of the board of management at Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn.
Held at The Meadowlands Hotel, former Principal Cáit Uí Chonchúir — who retired at the beginning of this year — was joined by teacher Mairead Ní Bhrosnacháin, caretaker Michael Hilliad and retired board members Pádraig Ó Dálaigh, Padraig Mac Amhlaoibh and Stephen Buttimer.
Tributes were paid to all for their wonderful service and commitment to Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn over the years, while special presentations were also made at the dinner.
KERRY County Council received 720 litter complaints and issued 109 litter fines during 2022 and from these, 13 prosecutions were instigated in 2022.
Of these, 246 complaints were investigated in the Tralee Muncipal District with 35 on-the-spot fines issued under the Litter Pollution Acts and four convictions.
The figures were revealed in Kerry County Council Litter Pollution Report for 2022 which was issued to councillors at their monthly meeting on Monday.
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133 tonnes of fly-tipping waste was collected at Kerry County Council sites and on County Clean up Day. The three litter wardens collected 2,311 bags of clean up waste during 2022.
Kerry County Council removed almost 235 tonnes of litter/waste from the following beaches during 2022: Ballybunion North & South, Ballyheigue, Banna, Fenit, Maherees, Ventry, Inch, Rossbeigh, Kells, White Strand and Ballinskelligs. This includes litter collected by local volunteers carrying out beach cleans and KCC staff.
Dog fouling bins were installed on the Tralee-Fenit and Listowel Greenways and additional dog fouling infrastructure will be put in place on both Greenways over the coming months.
During 2022, 135 dog patrols and 185 litter patrols were carried out. The litter wardens and enforcement officers issued 27 section 22 penalty notices (dog fouling fines) including 22 which were issued at beaches and 19 of these fines have been paid to date.
A dog foul awareness campaign extended throughout 2022, Dog and Litter Wardens and Enforcement Officers carried out the 135 patrols in towns, amenity areas etc. with a view to reducing the level of dog fouling.
During the patrols they met with 450 dog walkers, asked them how they dispose of their dog’s waste and ensure that dogs are under effectual control, the vast majority of dog owners had bags for disposing their pet’s waste.
A busy weekend of swimming kicked off last Sat, March 11th, when our Junior A and Senior Squads headed to UL for meet 1 of the Munster Aspiring Champions.
A challenging Long Course (LC) meet, the event was a great success and experience for all our swimmers with plenty PBs and qualification times achieved.
Many thanks to our coaches, team managers, officials and all the parents who helped out.
Munster Future Challenger Meet
On Sunday,March 12th it was the turn of our younger swimmers from the Development & Junior B squads to compete in the Munster Future Challenger. We were delighted to host the event in Tralee and welcome clubs throughout Munster. Well done to all swimmers , we hope you enjoyed the event.Again thanks to our team of coaches ,team managers, officials, volunteers and special mention to Tim O’Connell for all his assistance with both Galas.
Swansea Aquatics Spring Meet
Rounding off a great weekend of swimming, our co Club Captain Cian Mason kept the Kingdom Flag flying as part of the Munster Squad who competed at the Swansea Spring Long Course Meet over the weekend. Well done Cian.
Meet our Squads
This week we introduce you to our Senior Squad.
Our Senior Squad comprises our top tier of swimmers, who have progressed up through the development and junior squads and train up to seven times a week under Head Coach , John Edwards.
The training programmes at this level are designed to enable Kingdom swimmers to compete at the top level of swimming whether that be at regional, national or international level.
Result of club sponsored singles green/white 12th March 2023.
1. Philip O Sullivan 40pts
2. John W Murphy 39pts
3. Jim O Donovan 38pts
Results of Spring Leagues Finals.
Cup: Team Paul Stephenson beat Team Jason Daly
Plate: Team Derek O Brien beat Team Barry Moynihan
Fixtures: 17th March 4 person am/am any combination.
Sat/Sun 18th/19th March Club sponsored singles Blue/Whites.
Results:
Wednesday 8th March 2023:
Ladies Club Singles: 11 Holes 1-9, 10 & 18;
1st: Julie Anne Deenihan 26pts (28)
2nd: Sandra O’Sullivan 22pts (14) Countback
Sunday 12th March 2023;
Ladies Club singles 16 Holes 1-10, 10-18;
1st: Caroline Sugrue 39pts (28)
2nd: Eleanor Dowd 38pts (23)
Fixtures:
Wednesday 15th March: Ladies 3 Person AmAm, 11 Holes 1-9, 10 and 18.
Friday 17th March: St. Patrick’s Day: Semi Open AmAm sponsored by McCarthy Insurance – timesheet open; 16 Holes 1-10, 13-18.
Saturday 18th / Sunday 19th March: Ladies Club Singles 16 Holes 1-10, 13-18.
Wednesday 22nd March: 3 person Champagne Scramble 11 Holes 1-9, 10 and 18.
Sunday 26th March: Ladies Club Fourball; 16 Holes 1-10, 13-18.
Ladies Open Day kindly sponsored by The Rose Hotel – Wednesday 26th April;
3 Person AmAm; Timesheet for Members and their guests opens on Thursday
23rd March at 9am; Timesheet for Non-Members opens on 24th March at 9am.
Kerry FC Academy U14 and U15 teams were in action at the weekend.
Under 15
The U15,s travelled to Cobh on Sunday and came away with a point thanks to an injury time goal from Kalen Browne.
Christy Burke hit a 20 metre shot to give Kerry an early lead. However Cobh replied with a brace before Rob Keane restored parity for the visitors.
The home side looked as if they sealed the points with goals in the 47th and 77th minutes.
Ethan Ballard gave Kerry hope with a tremendous 25 metre volley in the 83rd minute . Late Kerry FC pressure was rewarded with Kalen Browne’s goal to the delight of Kerry,s travelling supporters.
Under 14s
The U14,s travelled to Limerick to play Treaty on Saturday. This young side have improved in the last few weeks. Results are not registered in the youngest LOI matches.
Next weekend fixtures are Sat 18th Under 17 Treaty v Kerry FC at 2pm in UL.Sun Under 19 Treaty v KerryFC at 2pm in UL.
Friday night last, the division 1,3&5 mixed doubles championships were held in Tralee Sports Complex. It was once again great to see such a good entry in the competition and great games were played out that night. Thanks to all the organisers on the night.
The results are as follows:
Division 5:
Winner: Jack Muldarry(Killarney) & Laura O’Connor (Ballybunion)
Winner: Tom Bourke (Kingdom) & Niamh Hickey (Killarney)
R.Up: Eric Nelligan (Kingdom) & Saorcha
Fitzgerald (Moyvane).
Juvenile Club Tournament
On Saturday last, the annual Juvenile Club Tournament was held.
It was great to see so many young badminton players representing their clubs and play so well. On the day, we had over 140 players playing. The competition was held in Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre.
The club tournament is a fun competition minus all the pressure of county championships where the kids can just enjoy themselves and represent there clubs.
All the players are partnered with other players from different clubs and the clubs earn points through how their player get on in the competitions.
On the day, Annascaul were crowned the overall Club Tournament champions! a The day was full of brilliant games, fun and enjoyment for all involved.
Thanks so much to the Kerry Juvenile Committee who put in lots of work to ensure that the day went off without a hitch. Well done to all the players for representing and making their clubs proud!
The Butterfield Cup
Kerry sent a team down to Cappoquin Saturday to play in the annual Butterfield Cup. This competition had been supposed to be played earlier in the year but due to the weather it had to postponed. On the day, there was 4 counties competing Cork, Clare, Waterford and Kerry.
The Kerry team started the day off well after beating a strong Clare team by 5 games to 4 after it came down to the final mixed game of that game.
The team then went on to play Waterford and beat them in another close game 6 games to 3.
After winning both their first games the team then made it to a final and met a very strong Cork team.
Unfortunately after most of the team playing in the mixed championship the night before they ran out of energy and legs became heavy when they lost 6.0 to a very well playing Cork team. But overall the team did very well on the day and came home with a silver medal.
Donnie Enright, Ethan Tritschler, Gio Gaudino, Eric Nelligan & Tom Bourke.
The Haynes Plate and Shield
On Sunday, the SETU held the Haynes Plate and Shield Competitions. There was a great entry in the day and a long day was had by all. A huge congratulations to Listowel who won the Haynes Plate competition after beating Waterford 12 sets to 0 and then beating Kilmacthomas in a much closer game 7 sets to 5.
Well done to the other Kerry players who represented UL in the Haynes Plate which is a grade F and G competition. UL had 2 teams on the day 1 grade G team and 1 grade F team. Well done to Darragh Crehan (Killarney) and Aoife Bowler (Moyvane) who were both part of the UL grade G team who played very well against stronger grade F teams.
Well done to Adele O’Brien who was part of the UL grade F team that won the competition after a very closely contested final between themselves and Tourin of Waterford. After 12 hours of badminton UL won the final 7 sets to 5 after it came down to the final mixed to decide who the winner would be.
Thanks so much to Munster Badminton for organising the competition and for running it off so well with such a big entry in all of the competitions.
LÁ FHÉLE PÁDRAIG: Tá Lá na Máirseála tagaithe agus beidh peileadóirí na Carraige, idir bhuachaillí agus chailíní, ag teacht le chéile ar an Aoine seo (17ú Márta). Expect a text from your team manager with information on time and meeting point for Rock footballers and fans. Beidh an ‘Dubh is Ómrach’ le fheiceáil ar/ag gach éinne….hataí, scaifeanna, geansaithe, bratacha agus meirgí (banners). Beidh trumpaí, drumaí, bodhráin agus feadóga le cloisteáil go soiléir agus na sluaite ardghlóracha ag máirseáil leo trí shráideanna ár mbaile mór. Bímis i lár an aonaigh, a lucht na Carraige, ar Lá Phatrún na hÉireann. ‘Dóchas linn, Naomh Pádraig.’
PEIL FAOI 7: Our Under 7 boys will take a well-earned break this Sunday morning. The 2023 OUTDOOR football will begin on March 26th.
PEIL FAOI 9: (i) Our U9s will have their last indoor session next Sunday morning (19th) at 11am in the Mounthawk Gym. Come along and enjoy! The 2023 OUTDOOR action will commence on March 26th. (ii) The much-loved GoGames series of matches will begin in the week starting April 11th. (iii) We’ll be sending an U10 team (boys born in 2014) to the Kilmacud Croke Club Tournament on May 7th. Tá sceitimíní ar dhaoine!
PEIL FAOI 10: We look forward to making our trip to Dublin’s Kilmacud Crokes (BÁC) ar an 7ú Bealtaine.
ALL-STARS: The Austin Stack Club All-Stars will continue their action on Sunday next beginning with some fun warm-up games. Further improvement was noted in last Sunday’s kicking and catching exercises. Our training sessions will continue in the CB Primary School, Clounalour, for the next few weeks. We’ll be going outdoors after a few more sessions.
The Austin Stack Club All-Star sessions are designed to help neurodivergent children to connect and flourish while playing sports. So, if you want your child to increase their social participation, make friends and gain confidence, please join us next Sunday, 19th March, at 3pm in the CB (Primary) School Hall. Boys and girls of various ages are encouraged to come along agus beidh céad míle fáilte roimh gach éinne. (Cathal Ó Sé)
PEIL FAOI 11: (i) Last Sunday’s training/coaching was really enjoyable for all, players and coaches. Tá peileadóirí iontacha sa ghrúpa seo! We still encourage every U11 boy in the greater Rock area to come along toThe Green CBS Astroturf Pitch on Sunday next at 11am. U11s @ 11.00am! Fáilte roimh chách!
(ii) We look forward to the U11 County Go-Games (Phase 1) …sponsored by Lee Strand:
Thursday (6th April) ag 6.30pm….AdeS (home) v Na Mistéalaigh;
Thursday (13th April) ag 6.30pm….Laune Rangers v AdeS (as baile);
Thursday (20th April) ag 6.30pm….Legion v AdeS (as baile);
Thursday (27th April) ag 6.30pm….AdeS (ag baile) v Rathmore;
Thursday (4th May) ag 6.30pm….Milltown/Castlemaine v AdeS (as baile);
The games will be ‘non-competitive’ and no scores will be kept! The ‘ciúnas ar an taobhlíne’ rule will apply for all U11 Go-Games….’is binn béal ina thost’ will be the motto!!
(iii) We look forward to the U11 Tralee/Naomh Breandán Boards’ Go-Games (Group A…A and B teams)…sponsored by Kellihers’ Mills:
Thursday (23rd March) ag 6pm….Na Gaeil v AdeS (away);
Thursday (30th March) ag 6.30pm…. AdeS (ag baile) v K-O’R;
TBC ag 6.30pm….Na Seán Mistéalaigh v AdeS (as baile). (Mícheál Ó Loingsigh)
PEIL FAOI 13: (i) U13 Tralee/Naomh Breandán Board League Division 1…Na Gaeil A: 1-12; AdeS A: 2-3. Our Division 1 team put in a battling performance in Killeen on Sunday evening last (12th). Playing against the elements in the first half, our boys made a fast start with an early goal. Na Gaeil used the wind to their advantage to kick a series of fine points. Despite the difficult conditions, our boys continued to create openings and were unlucky not to have added at least a goal and a couple of points to their first half tally. Ag am sosa….Na Gaeil A: 0-9; AdeS A: 1-0.
The Rock lads came out for second half with great determination and, with two fine well-taken points, quickly cut into the hosts’ lead. The deciding score, however, came from the Na Gaeil lads who netted midway through the half. Our boys replied with a goal and a point and bravely battled to the end but, despite continued pressure, they ran out of time and out of luck. Sea, ní raibh an t-ádh leo!
Comhghairdeachas leis Na Gaeil and thanks to the referee for her handling of the game. Our A boys: David Ahern, Eliot Calleja, Tom Dawson, Mark Foley, Conor Hanafin, Diarmuid Hennessy, Oisín Horan, Séamus Keenan, Billy Kirby, Danny Lane, Conor Maguire, Harry Maguire, Conor Murphy, Jayden O’Dowd, Ryan O’Flaherty, Joe O’Halloran, Noah Reidy, Mark Riordan, Liam Swords.
(ii) U13 Tralee/Naomh Breandán Board League Division 3…Na Gaeil B: 0-2; AdeS B: 5-8. This was a five-star performance by The Rock B boys in Killeen on Sunday last and was played in difficult conditions. The opening exchanges were tight as both sets of players got to grips with a damp ball on a greasy pitch.
Slowly but surely, de réir a chéile, as the half wore on, the Black‘n’Ambers gained control at midfield and the forwards clicked into gear…scoring some well-taken goal; those goals were the difference between the sides at half-time.
Ag am an tsosa….Na Gaeil A: 0-2; AdeS A: 3-2. Our lads came out flying in the second half and upped their game to another level with some fantastic team moves from front to back and with all players working extremely hard for each other.
The Stack Club defence put in a great shift and held their opponents scoreless in the second half and the midfielders and the forwards continued to add the scores, leaving the final score at 5-8 to 0-2. Bua iontach!
‘Well done’ to all the boys; they put in a very good performance against a strong Na Gaeil side, the hard work in training is paying off. Our U13 Bs: Blake Bowler, Shane Carey, Michael Carmody, Gearóid Corcoran, Kian Cronin, Ethan Cushen, Conor Hanafin, Albi Gaxha, Oisín Horan, Shea Horan, Luke Kavanagh, Billy Kirby, Tadhg Lucey, Conor Maguire, Harry Maguire, Dylan McEvoy, Zac Moore, Darragh Moriarty, Joe O’Halloran, Oran O’Regan, Tadhg O’Regan, Gerard Teahon.
(iii) Training continues for all the boys on Tuesday from 5.15pm to 6.30pm in Connolly Park.
(iv) Tralee/St Brendans Board U13 League…fixtures/results:
DIVISION 1….Sunday (5th)….AdeS: 3-5; Ardfert: 3-10;
Sunday (12th) in Killeen….Na Gaeil: 1-12; AdeS: 2-3;
Sunday (19th March) at 4pm….Na Mistéalaigh v AdeS.
DIVISION 3….Sunday (5th)…..AdeS B: 5-22; Ardfert B: 1-5;
Sunday (12th) ar an gCillín….AdeS B: 5-8; Na Gaeil B: 0-2;
Sunday (19th March) at 4pm….AdeS B v Na Mistéalaigh B.
(v) U13 County League fixtures…sponsored by Lee Strand:
DIVISION 1….Sunday (26ú Márta) ag 7pm….AdeS (ag baile) v Kilcummin;
Sunday (2nd April) ag 7pm….Laune Rangers v AdeS (as baile);
Sunday (9th April) ag 7pm….AdeS (ag baile) v Na Mistéalaigh;
Sunday (16th April) ag 7pm….AdeS (ag baile) v Legion;
Sunday (23rd April) ag 7pm….Na Gaeil v AdeS (as baile).
DIVISION 9….Sunday (26th March) ag 5.30pm….AdeS B (ag baile) v Kilcummin B;
Sunday (2nd April) ag 5.30pm….Laune Rangers B v AdeS B (as baile);
Sunday (9th April) ag 5.30pm….AdeS B (ag baile) v Na Mistéalaigh B;
Sunday (16th April) ag 5.30pm….AdeS B (ag baile) v Legion B;
Sunday (23rd April) ag 5.30pm….Na Gaeil B v AdeS B (as baile).
(Dan Ahern/Michael Lynch)
CÚL CAMPS: (i) Our club will host a Kerry Cúl Camp (football) in Connolly Park in July (3rd~7th). (ii) A hurling camp will take place in Tralee in August (7th~11th).
IRELAND LIGHTS UP ~ CLUB WALK: The new initiative, under the patronage of Irish Life, commenced on March 1st. An bhfuil tusa páirteach ann? It will continue for a month during which time people will be encouraged to reach a daily target of 10,000 steps….deich míle coiscéim! People with a high standard/rating will be entered in a worthwhile draw for holiday vouchers. More details later.
FAOI 15: (i). There was an early start on Saturday morning last (11th) for 24 U15 players and for 5 mentors who made the journey to Nemo Rangers in Cork to take part in the Mick O’Brien Football Tournament.
We played six 20 minute games (a lot of minutes!) against teams from various parts the country and plenty of game time was given to all the boys. Results were mixed…2 wins and 4 defeats (only the bare minimum separated us from the opposition in some of those lost games). We played our last 4 games back-to-back….ceann i ndiaidh a chéile.
The boys were wrecked and leg weary for the last game but their mentors were really very proud of all of them as they had made a serious effort to stay in contention for honours; they were much better than in their last tournament.
Yes, they were in great football company…Nemo Rangers, Mala, Gaeltacht Chiarraí, Órán Mór na Gaillimhe, Carrigaline, Nás na Ríogh (Place of Assembly of the Kings)…and did The Rock proud! Fair-play daoibh, a leaideanna! We were, of course, treated to the wonderful welcoming hospitality that the Nemo Rangers Club once again afforded us! What great facilities! Mórbhuíochas leo.
(ii) Training continues this week….keep an eye out for group messages for details. The very important County League starts at the end of March and, so, full attendance at training is expected, más é bhur dtoil é.
(iii) We’re gearing ourselves for the U15 County League…sponsored by Lee Strand:DIVISION 1B….Sunday (29th March) ag 7pm….Churchill v AdeS (as baile);
Sunday (5th April) ag 7pm….Firies v AdeS (as baile);
Sunday (12th April) ag 7pm….AdeS (ag baile) v Keel/Listry;
Sunday (19th April) ag 7pm….AdeS (ag baile) v Ballumacelligott;
Sunday (26th April) ag 7pm…AdeS…a bye.
DIVISION 9A….Sunday (29th March) ag 5.30pm….Legion B v AdeS B (as baile);
Sunday (5th April) ag 7pm….Kilcummin B v AdeS B (as baile);
Sunday (12th April) ag 7pm….AdeS B (ag baile) v Emmets B;
Sunday (19th April) ag 7pm….An Ghaeltacht B AdeS B (as baile);
Sunday (26th April) ag 7pm…. AdeS B (ag baile)v Fosadh.
(Ger Hobbert/Michael Lynch)
COLÁISTÍ: An early start did nothing to temper the spirits of our intrepid laochra rámhaíochta! With a raft of Stacaigh involved, Muintir Bhliain 1 an Ghaelcholáiste took in the sizeable challenge of competing in an energetic rowing relay blitz i gColáiste Luimnigh’s Sport’s Academy.
Trained to the peak of their ‘erging’ (the official term for a rowing machine) abilities by willing coaches, Heidi Giles agus an Bean Uí Mhuiris, the Gaiscígh performed exceedingly well on this immense occasion- over 1000 students took part overall!
Bhí fúilleach torthaí iontacha ann with a gold and a silver for the girls’ teams and the buachaillí managing to clinch a contested 4th place! KFC ar an mbealach abhaile was a fitting reward… Ár gcomhghairdeachas libh! Is cinnte go bhfuil cultúr rámhaíochta seolta agaibh sa scoil!
SCÓR na bPÁISTÍ: This is for primary school pupils…daltaí bunscoile…who may perform in the name of the Austin Stack Club. Eolas: many Tralee area competitors will, hopefully, advance to the county semi-finals on the weekend of 14th/15th/16th April. The county final will take place on Sunday April 30th.
Competitions: a four-person table quiz team, a grúpa ceoil, solo singing, a five-person (boys or girls) ballad group, a figure dance, a set, a recitation/dán/scéal and, for this year only and on a trial basis, two new categories will be added to Scór na bPáistí (only!), namely, solo music (one tune only) and solo dancing (3 minutes). Any Rockite willing to have a ‘go’?
GAELTACHT SCHOLARSHIP FOR ADULTS: Tá scéim scoláireachta do dhaoine fásta á maoiniú ag Foras na Gaeilge chun seans a thabhairt do dhaoine dul ar chúrsa Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht. Tá €200 ar fáil chun cabhrú le costas an chúrsa. Chun cur isteach ar an scoláireacht, ní mór trí cheist a fhreagairt: (i) cé hé tusa agus cén taithí atá agat ar labhairt na teanga? (ii) cén fáth go bhfuil tú ag iarraidh freastal ar chúrsa sa Ghaeltachta agus cén cúrsa atá ar intinn agat a dhéanamh? (iii) cén fáth go bhfuil scoláireacht ag teastáil uait agus conas a chabhróidh an scoláireacht (€200) leat? Caithfidh d’iarratas a bheith i bhfoirm Doiciméad Word agus caithfidh tú é a sheoladh chuig ian@gael-linn.ie roimh 5pm ar an 13ú Aibreán. Gach eolas ar fáil ar bit.ly/Scoláireachtaí23. Má tá ceist ar bith agat, cuir glaoch ar Ian ar 087 6200100.
2023 AUSTIN STACK CLUB MEMBERSHIP: Are you a member of the Austin Stack Club? Mura bhfuil tú i do bhall fós, please, (i) purchase on line via your Club Foireann account or (ii) pay on line via Clubforce (see austinstacks.ie for link) or (iii) sign up for a monthly DD payment or (iv) pay by cash. Club contact/registrar: Bernie Mannix (086 0767415).
GAELTACHT SCHOLARSHIP FOR ADULTS: Tá scéim scoláireachta do dhaoine fásta á maoiniú ag Foras na Gaeilge chun seans a thabhairt do dhaoine dul ar chúrsa Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht. Tá €200 ar fáil chun cabhrú le costas an chúrsa. Chun cur isteach ar an scoláireacht, ní mór trí cheist a fhreagairt: (i) cé hé tusa agus cén taithí atá agat ar labhairt na teanga?
(ii) cén fáth go bhfuil tú ag iarraidh freastal ar chúrsa sa Ghaeltachta agus cén cúrsa atá ar intinn agat a dhéanamh? (iii) cén fáth go bhfuil scoláireacht ag teastáil uait agus conas a chabhróidh an scoláireacht (€200) leat? Caithfidh d’iarratas a bheith i bhfoirm Doiciméad Word agus caithfidh tú é a sheoladh chuig ian@gael-linn.ie roimh 5pm ar an 13ú Aibreán. Gach eolas ar fáil ar bit.ly/Scoláireachtaí23. Má tá ceist ar bith agat, cuir glaoch ar Ian ar 087 6200100.
OUR CLUB LOTTO: Please, don’t forget: we remind all Rock supporters once again to support the Rock Street Post Office club lotto competition. If The Rock wins the ‘competition,’ our club lottery tickets will be for sale in Rock Street Post Office for the next 3 years.
This would greatly help our growing club. Club supporters need only ask for a token for each transaction completed at the post office…but one must ask…between now and Friday 31st March (less than 4 weeks left)! One puts the token into the Austin Stack Club collection bucket in the post office.
By the end of March all the tokens will be counted and the club with the most tokens will be deemed the winner. Tokens can be requested for the following transactions: €4 tv licence saving stamps, registered letters, parcel postage, bill payments, phone top-ups, phone sales, dog licences, foreign exchange dealings, bank lodgements and withdrawals. (A single postage stamp doesn’t count as a transaction). Please support your club. Thanks to all who support and/or promote the club lotto: (i) Deli Uí Eosa, Cé an Phrionsa, (ii) Carmel Uí Néill and daoine eile,
(iii) Ollmhargadh de Barra, Sráid na Carraige Uachtarach, (iv) Siopa Leabhar Pháidí Uí Chomáin, Sráid na Carraige Láir, (v) Bothán na mBuirgéar, Móin a’ Bhaile, (vi) Troscán Uí Fhloinn (Malachy de Nógla), Sráid na Carraige Íochtarach, (vii) An Bhróg, Sráid na Carraige Íochtarach, (viii) www.austinstacks.ie (ix) and/or on https://play.clubforce.com/play_newa.asp?ll_id=X529#Anchor
CLUB SHOP: Official Austin Stack Club merchandise – available to order on www.oneills.com
SINSIR CHIARRAÍ: Good luck to our county footballers v Roscommon.
LÁ FHÉLE PÁDRAIG: Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig ar ár n-imreoirí, ar ár meantóirí, ar ár dtuismitheoirí agus ar ár gcairde. ‘Pádraig Aspal! Alleluia! / Canaimís le dóchas croí! / Éist go fóill le glór do mhuintire / Is bí in éineacht linn de shíor.’ (‘Rian Phádraig’…Fr Pat Ahern).