SENIOR FOOTBALL: Dingle 3-10; Austin Stacks 0-11.
Last year Dingle was the only team to defeat us – back in their home patch – in the quarter final of the Club Championship.
Yesterday (17th May) in Austin Stack Park they performed a similar feat – this time at the semi final stage of the same competition – and on a very similar scoreline (last year it was 4-7 to 1-10).
We played with the aid of the strong wind in the first half and after a rather shaky start (Dingle led by 0-2 to no score after 7 minutes) we began to dominate and between the 8th and 29th minutes had put over seven points without reply. David Mannix was on fire, scoring five (three super ones from play) with Fiachna Mangan and Kieran Donaghy scoring one each.
But in added time (referee, Seamus Mulvihill played three additional minutes) Dingle scored 1-1 to leave us ahead by just one at half time (0-7 to 1-3) and facing into that strong breeze.
Five minutes after the resumption Dingle had added a further 1-3. Both sides then had two points each (ours coming from two frees by Shane Carroll and David Mannix) but a 3rd Dingle goal in the 50th minute left no doubt as to who would be facing Crokes in the Club Final.
In the remaining ten minutes Dingle added three more points while our contribution was two from play with Fearghal MacNamara and Brían Mangan on target.
Jack Morgan was making his first Senior appearance of the season (his 2nd Senior game in total) and we congratulate Jack on a fine performance by him in Kerry’s one point win over Cork in last Wednesday’s Munster MF semi final.
Team: Jonathan Conway, Ronan Shanahan, Fearghal MacNamara (Capt) (0-1), Denis McElligott, Ciarán O’Connell, Seán Ryan Barry Walsh, Barry Shanahan, Conor Jordan, Michael Collins, Shane Carroll (0-1 – free), Fiachna Mangan (0-1), David Mannix (0-6 – 3 free), Kieran Donaghy (0-1), Shane O’Callaghan.
Subs used: William Kirby (ht), Pa McCarthy (ht), Jack Morgan (38m), Darragh Long (51m), Colin Griffin (58m), Brían Mangan (59m) (0-1).
We now face St. Michaels/Foilmore in the 1st round of the Co. Championship and this will also be a double header in Austin Stack Park on`this Saturday evening (23rd May) at 5.15 with the Kerins O’Rahillys .v. Rathmore game to follow at 7pm.
CONGRATULATIONS: to Kieran Donaghy and his wife Hillary on the birth of a baby girl last Saturday.
Also congratulations to super Rockies John O’Callaghan and Mary Lacey who got engaged at the weekend.
COUNCIL RECEPTION: The Council Chambers at County Buildings was packed on last Monday (11th May) for a Reception hosted by Mayor, Jim Finucane and Members of the Tralee Municipal District for our all-conquering 2014 Senior Football Team. Players, Mentors, Club Officials and Club Members were among the attendance.
Councillor Finucane welcomed everyone and referred to the impact all the success during 2014 had on the local community, culminating in the winning of the 2014 League Final on Saturday evening. Other speakers included Timmy Sheehan, who outlined the many trophies, titles and medals won by the Club and its many players; Team Manager, Stephen Stacks, Daniel Bohan on behalf of the team and Chairman, Aidan O’Connor.
Special presentations were made by Mayor Finucane to Stephen to honour the achievements of the past year and to Mary O’Mahony, wife of the late Seamus who, in his lifetime, represented everything what the Rock was all about.
HURLING: Austin Stacks 1-10; St. Pats (East Kerry) 1-7
Our new Management Team of Mike O’Halloran and Michael O’Leary (brother of current player, Kevin) will be well pleased with our first competitive outing of the season which ended in a three points win in round 1 of the South Kerry JH League played at a dry but breezy Connolly Park on last Wednesday evening (13th May).
The strong wind was blowing cross-field for most of the game, so didn’t really favour any particular side.
The honour of scoring the first point of the season went to Ronan Gilsenan who sent over a brilliant 65 in the 4th minute. This was followed in quick succession by two from play by Joe Brennan and Danny Maguire.
Pats now began to settle and by the 14th minute had added two (one from a free). But with our defence and centrefield playing superbly and launching attack after attack our men up front took full advantage and in a ten minute spell (15th to 25th) had put over four brilliant points (all from play) with Danny on target twice and one each from Michael O’Leary and Joe Brennan.
Another pointed free by the visitors left us with a 0-7 to 0-3 lead at half time.
We were unfortunate to lose the services of Danny Maguire who took a heavy knock on the stroke of half time and didn’t resume for the second half. We wish Danny a full and speedy recovery.
That had an unsettling effect on our lads for a while after the resumption. Pats had the ball in the net after just 27 seconds but we responded immediately when a good run by corner back, Seán King found Ger Scollard (playing his first game since 15thJune 2011) who found Jason Poole and Jason placed his shot to the top corner of the net to restore our half time lead.
In the 38th minute Michael O’Leary extended that to five points with a good effort from play. But two more points by the visitors by the 41st minute left just three between the sides again.
And then half way through the half Pats were awarded a penalty and, under the new rules, Keeper, John Connolly had to face the shot all on his own on the goal-line, but the Kilkenny native and long-time Stacks man made a splendid save – it certainly is the first save we have seen under the new rule and is it the first save anywhere under the new rule ? – the jury is out on that one.
Five minutes later Pats reduced the deficit to two with a pointed free. But again our lads responded well and in the space of two minutes Michael O’Leary with apoint from a free and Joe Brennan with one from play had restored our lead again to four.
As full time approached Pats did get one back with a pointed free after which Paddy White blew the final whistle to leave us with a well deserved three points victory.
As well as welcoming our two new Mentors – Mike O’Halloran and Michael O’Leary – it was also good to see two new men making their playing debuts – Terry Smith and Stephen Pierce – and they showed that they will be an asset to the panel during the coming season.
Team: John Connolly, John McCarthy, Paudie Bradley, Seán King, Kevin O’Leary, Paul Daly, Andrew Morrissey, Michael O’Leary (0-3 – one free), Joe Brennan (0-3), Ronan Gilsenan (0-1 – a sixty five), Danny Maguire (0-3), Jason Poole (1-0), Ger Scollard, Terry Smith, Stephen Pierce.
Subs: Tadhg Meehan (ht), Shane Fitzgerald (33m).
We now travel to Fossa on this Wednesday evening (20th May) to face the same opposition in round 2 of the competition with a 7.30pm throw-in. The final of the competition is down for decision next Wednesday (27th May) at avenue to be confirmed.
ROCKIE NIGHT AT THE DOGS: There is just one place to be on next Friday night (22nd May) and that’s at the Tralee Greyhound Stadium for our ‘Night at the Dogs’ Fundraiser, the proceeds of which will go towards our new pitch development which in ongoing at present.
Thanks to the many Volunteers who have sold Nominator Tickets and to everyone who have supported the event with their generous contributions. And a special thanks to Liam Lynch and his Committee who have worked day and night in organizing the event. Racing gets underway at 8pm.
BINGO: continues on this and every Saturday night commencing at 8.30pm.
CLUBHOUSE: As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties. Phone Ian from 7pm at 066 7126942 for bookings.
CARDS: The 45 Card Sessions continue in the Clubhouse every Monday and Thursday Nights, commencing at 9.30pm each night.
LOTTO: Last Monday’s (11th May) Jackpot worth €5,000 was not won. The numbers drawn were 8, 10, 11 and 29.
The €20 Prizes went to Jamie Diggins and Kerry O’Shea, both c/o The Club; and Eddie O’Brien, Tim Moriarty and Samantha Spillane, all c/o Carmel O’Neill.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Eileen O’Connor (nee Barrett), London, Ballylongford and Tralee; Noreen Slattery (nee O’Donoghue), Ross Cottage, Caherslee and late of The Farmyard, Killarney; Nora Walsh (nee Mulvihill), Moyvane (mother of Seán, former Chairman of the Kerry Co. Board and the Munster Council of the GAA) and David (The Badger) Roche, Tralee and late of Listowel.