PEIL FAOI 7/8/9: Our Under 7/8/9 football at 11am next Sunday, 29th September, in Caherslee. Never too late to join!
PEIL FAOI 11: Football in Connolly Park at 10.50am on Sunday next (29ú Meán Fómhair) and again on Thursday (3ú Deireadh Fómhair).
PEIL FAOI 13: On Sunday evening last (22nd) our U13 lads challenged the John Mitchel Club boys in the Tralee Town Championship final. A great and exciting battle ensued! Well done, Boys of The Rock! Imríodh an cluiche ar an gCillín (Páirc na nGael).
PEIL FAOI 14: A fantastic day of football was had by Team 1 in the Lee Strand U14 Tournament. They went all the way to the final, gave it their all, played brilliantly and had high hopes of lifting the victors’ trophy but they just came up short against an excellent John Mitchel Club team. Seo a leanas scéal a lae….
Game 1: AdeS 6-5; An Ghaeltacht 0-5. Our lads made a slow start to the day and found themselves 0-2 down in the opening 5 minutes as the Gaeltacht lads started the brighter. As our boys grew into the game they missed a number of goal chances and just when one started to think that it was going to be one of those days, the team burst into life and 0-2 from Danny got us back on level terms. It was then that the goals started to flow! Noah bagged a hat-trick and further goals from Billy and Danny left our lads well in control by half-time…5-2 to 0-2. The second half was a much tighter affair and, chun creidiúint a thabhairt dóibh (to their credit), the Gaeltacht lads came back into the game with the breeze at their backs and, ar feadh tamaillín bhig, it was a very even contest. The final score of the game was a goal by David to leave the score at 6-5 to 0-5. That was a great start to the day.
Game 2: AdeS 3-3; Nemo Rangers 2-5. The second game produced a titanic battle against top Cork club, Nemo Rangers. The Rock players, once again, started slowly and found themselves trailing throughout most of the first half but a good goal before half-time breathed life into their efforts and they only found themselves 0-1 in arrears at the break…1-1 to 1-2. Our men knew that a major second-half performance was going to be needed if they were to continue in the Cup competition but the second half followed a similar pattern to the first with Nemo continuing to hold control of the game. However, with 5 minutes left on the clock our stalwarts found themselves trailing by 5 points….2-5 to 1-3. Were the Cork boys going to defeat The Kingdom? Only one answer to that question! Staring at defeat, the lads went to the proverbial well from which they drank gallons of strength, inspiration and determination and, finally, started to fire on all cylinders! Suddenly, a great goal brought them right back into game! They could smell victory now and they piled on the pressure! However, instead of going for points to try to level the game, they went for goals but had a couple of near misses. Just when it looked as if they were going to rue not going for points and with nearly the final play of the game underway, the ball broke across the box to Liam who, with deft manoeuvring…and much to the delight of The Rock team and supporters…found the inside of the Cork net. The Black‘n’Ambers won the final kick out and with that the whistle blew! The Rock had won the game…3-3 to 2-5…and had reached the semi-final.
The Cup semi-final: AdeS 5-7; Na Gaeil 2-2. A ferocious battle with local rivals ensued. The weather started to close in at this point in the afternoon and the game was played in very greasy conditions. Once again, Na Stacaigh started a little slowly in what turned out to be a very tough battle with fierce clashes on both sides and space was at a premium. Na Gaeil took an early lead and, coming up to half-time, it looked as if they would be leading ag am sosa. The Stack Club boys were trailing by 0-2…1-2 to 2-1…when Alex scored an outstandingly brilliant goal just before the half-time break. That was probably the key score of the game and it put The Rock 0-1 ahead. This team was not going to be denied a place in the final! They put the foot on the gas in the second half, scored some excellent scores, including a good goal into the top corner by Michael, while all the time keeping it tight at the back. When the final whistle blew Na Stacaigh were in front…5-7 to 2-2. A final with fierce town rivals, Club Sheáin Mhistéil, was their prize.
Cup Final: Na Stacaigh 0-7; Na Mistéalaigh 1-12.
The lads winning streak came to an end against a very strong and talented John Mitchel Club team but they didn’t go down without a fight. The Green‘n’Golds had the better of the early exchanges, but The Rock lads were battling with all their hearts and kept in touch on the scoreboard.
The opposition had a number of goal chances which our lads repelled but, just as it looked as if they were going to keep them out, they did convert one, and that was the key difference between the sides at half-time…1-5 to 0-4. The teams were even for the first 8 minutes of the 2nd half. The Rock brought the margin back to 0-3 on a number of occasions but Na Mistéalaigh picked off some wonderful scores to maintain their 0-4 lead.
The Rock needed a goal. That illusive goal would have led to a grandstand finish. In the end, the exertions of the day started to tell and the lads had no more left in the tank after a number of comebacks; legs were tired and the better team took control. Final score: 1-12 to 0-7. Congratulations to the John Mitchel Club team and coaches.
An focal scoir: The Rock coaches couldn’t have asked for more from their lads who gave it their all; they showed great character and can be very proud of their efforts; it was a fantastic experience for the boys. Many thanks to all the volunteers who made the day such a success. Looking forward to Lee Strand 2025 already! (Ed O’Regan)
PEIL FAOI 15: (i) What a great victory by our boys in the U15 Central League (Division 1) final v Na Gaeil in Austin Stack Park! Another brilliant effort and stylish performance by our boys! Score: AdeS 2-4; Na Gaeil 1-4. Truly a strong team performance and a well-earned victory by our U15s; every player gave of his very best! Team: Conor O’Regan; Mark Riordan, Oran O’Donoghue, Ryan o Carroll; Fionn Cotter, Eoin Mangan, Darragh Lyons; Jamie Casey, Ben Litchfield; Jack Delaney, David Hobbert, Michael Cotter; Danny Lane, Barry Laide, Denis Brassil; David Ahern, Ryan O’Flaherty, Noah Reidy, Joe Barry, Harry Murphy, Jayden O’Dowd. Coaches: Pa Laide, Tim McMahon, Ger Hobbert, Dan Ahern, Ciarán Murphy, Dónal Corcoran agus Eoghan Ó Gealbháin. Comhghairdeachas! The winning of a 2nd title this season proves that hard work, commitment and determination gives results. From our 1st training session in January to mid-September our players and mentors have given a massive commitment….8 months of total dedication! We gathered for a very enjoyable end-of-year get-together in the Brogue Inn last Friday night to celebrate the successes of the year. Buíochas le muintir ‘An Bhróg.’
(ii) On Sunday morning next (29th), we’ll travel to play the John Mitchel Club boys in the much looked-forward-to Town League. An Charraig Abú! (Ed O’Regan, Ger Hobbert, Dan Ahern)
COLÁISTÍ: ‘Well done’ to the Rock boys on the Mounthawk team, captained by Pádraig Ó hAllmharáin, that defeated ISK in the 1st round of the O’Sullivan Cup competition. They gave The Sem a good game on Monday last.
MINORS: 2024 CLUB champions of Kerry, runners-up in the Divisional Championship final and heroes of The Street of Champions: Ryan O’Driscoll (capt), Oliver Lata, Eoin Mangan, Fionán Ryan, Aodhán Horgan, Jayden Moriarty, Gavin Casey, Darragh Lyons, Alex Tuohy, Ben Murphy, Rory Lynch, Ronan Carroll, Harry Murphy, Jack Diggin, Cormac Bastible, Jake Carmody, Jamie Casey, Ben Litchfield, Conor O’Regan, Adam Johnson, Leon Sweeney, David Mullins, Jack Shanahan, Max Gryzbowski, Jayden O’Dowd, Gabriel Maszorak, Tadhg Falvey, Brian Kavanagh.
CLUB GEAR: Club merchandise: log into www.austinstacks.ie (under ‘shop’).
CLUB LOTTO: Thanks once again to all club lotto supporters and promoters and especially to (i) Carmel Cuiltéir, AdeS, (ii) The Burger Shack, Móin an Bhealaigh, (iii) The Brogue, Sráid na Carraige, (iv) Siopa Chaoimhín de Barra, Sráid na Carraige Uachtarach, (v) Commane’s Bookshop (PC Books), Sráid na Carraige, (vi) O’Flynn Interiors, Sráid na Carraige, (vii) Hussey’s Deli and Newsagency, Cé an Phrionsa.
THE ROCK SENIORS: (i) And ‘well done’ to the Naomh Breandán divisional team, with Rockmen on board, on their victory over Bordcheantar Naomh Ciarán.Our men: Ml Tansley, Colin Griffin, Dylan Casey, Joey Nagle, Armin Heinrich, Joe O’Connor, Daniel Kirby, Mike O’Donnell. It doesn’t seem so long since these lads were playing U8/10/12/14 football! (ii) Best wishes to our club senior team in their preparations for their replay on Sunday November 10th at 1.30pm. Up The Rock!