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SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 2-14; Ballymac 2-9.
Twenty one minutes into this 3rd round Co. League game played in Connolly Park on Sunday afternoon (22nd April) we looked well in command when we led by eight points to three.
But in a seventeen minutes spell – the closing ten minutes of the first half and the opening seven minutes of the second half – the visitors had turned this game completely on its head, scoring 1-4 without reply which now gave them a two points lead at that stage (1-7 to 0-8). Our opening eight points came from six different players – Fergal Ryan and David Mannix with two each and one each by Shane Carroll, Darragh O’Brien, Michael O’Donnell and Shane O’Callaghan. The sides were level at half time (0-8 to 1-5).
Ballymac’s two opening points of the second half put them ahead for the first time in the game.
This was short-lived however as we responded almost immediately with a well-worked goal with Michael O’Donnell very much involved in the build-up and put away neatly by Darragh O’Brien. Both sides then added points – two for us from a David Mannix free and a brilliantly-taken forty five by Darragh O’Brien – and one for the opposition, which left us two points clear (1-10 to 1-8) as the game entered the last ten minutes.
But a second Ballymac goal in the 51st minute put the visitors back in the lead once more. Wayne and his fellow selectors used the bench during the second half and this certainly made a difference on what was an energy-sapping pitch. Both sides swapped points in the space of two minutes, Conor Jordan coming up from his full back position to score ours.
Three more points by Shane O’Callaghan, David Fitzmaurice and a Darragh O’Brien free gave us back our two points lead again. And then in the 59th minute the game was wrapped up when Pa McCarthy converted a penalty after Darragh O’Brien was brought down in the square and we ended up with five points to spare at the end.
Both Ciarán O’Reilly and David Fitzmaurice, who had already made their Senior debuts recently, were making their first appearances in the Senior Co. League and both played exceptionally well.
This was Shane Walsh’s second Co. League appearance (he made his League debut in Kilcummin a few weeks ago) and he also had a super game after coming on early in the second half. It was also good to see Colin Griffin back to his usual best after missing the last five games through injury.
With regular goalkeeper David Hennessy out with a slight injury it was good to see Pa Fitzgibbon in between the post again and also good to see last year’s Minor keeper, Robbie Murphy, on the Senior panel for the first time.
Team: Pa Fitzgibbon, Seán Ryan, Conor Jordan (0-1), Denis Costello, Pa McCarthy (1-0 penalty), Jack O’Shea, Ciarán O’Reilly, Shane Guthrie (Capt), Michael O’Donnell (0-1), Shane O’Callaghan (0-2), Darragh O’Brien (1-3 – two frees and one forty five), Fergal Ryan (0-2), David Mannix (0-3 – two frees), Shane Carroll (0-1), Ferdia O’Brien.
Subs used: Colin Griffin (ht), Shane Walsh (36m), David Fitzmaurice (41m) (0-1), Darragh Scanlon (47m), Dale Counihan (54m).
We now have a three week break before the next Co. League game – an away game against Glenflesk in round 4 – on the week-end of 13th May.
B FOOTBALL: Asdee 2-8; Austin Stacks 1-7.
With two wins in their opening two rounds of the Co. League under their belts – at home to Kilgarvan (0-17 to 1-8) and away to Knocknagoshel (2-7 to 1-9) – our B team just came up short in this third round game played in Ballybunion on Sunday afternoon (22nd April).
We now have a home game against Scartaglin in round 4 on the week-end of 13th May.
HURLING: Austin Stacks 1-7; St. Brendans 3-15.
On a fine, sunny, summer-like evening in Connolly Park on last Friday (20th April) we had to give way to a better side in this second game in the North Kerry Intermediate League. The visitors led by 1-9 to 0-2 at the break – our two points coming from Ronan Gilsenan frees.
We put up a better show in the second half. We held the Brendans boys to the same score (2-6) while we scored 1-5. Our goal came after just a minute and it was a spectacular one. It was Ronan again who was on target.
He won possession on the end line, turned on a sixpence and blasted it over his shoulder to the roof of the net from the narrowest of angles. He went on to score three more points during this half – two from frees.
Our two remaining points of the half came from a long-ranged effort from play by Killian O’Riordan with the final score of the game coming from a well-taken Andrew Morrissey free to cap a fine performance by Andrew throughout the whole hour.
Prior to the game both sides convened at mid field and observed a minutes silence in memory of Trevor Barrett who passed away exactly four years ago.
Team (13 a-side): Danny McGuire, Kevin O’Leary, No full back, Tadhg Meehan (Capt), Johnny Downey, Andrew Morrissey (0-1 free), Rory Forbes, Cillian O’Riordan (0-1), Gearóid McCann, Ronan Gilsenan (1-5 – four frees), William Brick, Thomas Meehan, Paddy Kelly, No Full Forward, John Connelly.
The final round game in the series, the postponed fixture away to Ballyheigue, has been confirmed for next Friday evening (27th April) at 7.15pm.
MINOR FOOTBALL: Dr. Crokes 0-9; Austin Stacks 0-9.
Our Minors preserved their unbeaten record this season when they came from behind to draw with their fellow black and amber boys at Lewis Road on last Friday evening (20th April). With all five rounds now completed the way is clear for the two semi finals which could go ahead next week-end (w/e 27th April), though this has not been confirmed as we write.
We play Cordal/Scartaglin in one semi while Dr. Crokes are up against Laune Rangers in the second semi. Both games should be keenly contested as when the sides met in the round robin games a few weeks ago very little separated them.
We barely scrope through against Cordal/Scart – winning by the narrowest of margins (1-11 to 2-7), while Crokes overcame Laune Rangers with just two points to spare (1-13 to 3-5).
Team: Ben Quilter, James Quigley, Donagh McMahon, Eoghan Carroll, Darragh Barry Walsh, Dylan Casey, David Burke, Michael O’Gara, David Couchman, Dean Scanlon (0-1), Sán Quilter, Daniel O’Rourke, Conor Myers (1-1), Gearóid Fitzgerald, Michael Slattery.
Subs used: Daniel O’Rourke (32m) (0-2), Daniel Draghici (35m), Charlie Curran (41m), Kaito Ikeuchi (46m).
BEST WISHES: to former Club Footballer and captain of the 1973 winning team, Billy Curtin, who we are glad to learn is recovering well after surgery required as a result of an old-time football injury which raised its ugly head recently. Get well soon Billy.
CLUBHOUSE: As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties and Functions. Enquiries about Club Bookings should be made by contacting Harry Hynes at 087 2467286.
CARDS: The 45 Card Sessions continue in the Clubhouse on every Monday and Thursday nights, commencing at 9.30pm each night.
LOTTO: Last week’s (16th April) Jackpot, worth €8,100, was not won. The numbers drawn were 12, 16, 17, 18. The €20 winners were: Gene O’Donnell and Phil Lynch, both c/o The Club; Pat Herlihy, c/o Carmel O’Neill; Martin Griffin, c/o Rock Street Post Office; and Gerard Teahon, c/o Club Rockies.
Tickets are on regular sale at the Rock Street Post Office and at the Stacks Clubhouse, as well as from our other regular sellers.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died during the past week – Deborah O’Sullivan (nee Lenihan), Connolly Park and formerly Boherroe, Abbeydorney; Evelyn Kelly (nee Rowen), Pairc na Dún; Seamus O’Beirne, St. Brendan’s Park; and Margaret (Peggy) O’Donnell (nee Higgins), Cnoch Mhuire, The Kerries East and formerly Ballyvelly House.