SENIOR FOOTBALL:
Castleisland Desmonds 2-8
Austin Stacks 0-21
On a sunny summer-like Sunday afternoon (1st Nov) in Castleisland a very good second-half performance by our lads, in the 11th and final round of the Co. League, saw us end up joint second (with Killarney Legion) on the League Table.
After a rather indifferent first half, in which we registered nine wides as against a score of eight points (to five for Desmonds), we played with much more confidence in the second period and, despite the concession of two goals (the second from a last minute penalty), we had a seven points winning margin at the end.
Six different players got on the score sheet in that first half with two each by Conor Jordan and Shane O’Callaghan and one each from Pa McCarthy, Wayne Guthrie (a 45), Seán Ryan and Jack Morgan.
We added a further 13 points in the second half, with Desmond adding three, together with those two goals, the first from play in the 44th minute and the second with the last kick of the game from that penalty. Four of our first half scorers were also on target in the second period – Shane O’Callaghan with four (one from a free), Pa Mac (2), Wayne Guthrie (2 – one from a 45) and Conor Jordan (1). The four remaining points came from Kieran Donaghy and Greg Horan with two each.
Team: Darragh O’Brien, Fearghal MacNamara (Capt), Barry Walsh, Conor Jordan (0-3), Jack O’Shea, Barry Shanahan, Jack Morgan (0-1), Wayne Guthrie (0-3 – 2 forty fives), Shane Guthrie, Pa McCarthy (0-3), Fiachna Mangan, Seán Ryan (0-1), Greg Horan (0-2), Kieran Donaghy (0-2), Shane O’Callaghan (0-6 – one free).
Subs used: Colin Griffin (52m), Seán Dukes 54m), Ciarán O’Connell (54m), Brían Mangan (56m), Denis O’Neill (57m).
Even though we defeated Legion in the earlier round of the League (3-7 to 1-9) and we also have a superior score difference (plus 53 as against plus 37) the Rules (in very small print) state that this does not count and a play-off is necessary to determine who faces table-toppers, Crokes, in the Co. League Final.
In the meantime, as a fellow Club, let us wish Legion the best of luck as they take on the 8 Club Divisional side (South Kerry) in next Sunday’s Co. Championship Final.
Next up is the Co. Championship Qualifier, the draw for which takes place on this Monday night (2nd Nov) with these four games to be played on this coming Saturday (7th Nov). Check Club Website for details.
Footnote: Coming off the pitch in Castleisland John Dennis reminded us that the last time we scored 21 points or more (actual points as against cumulative ones) was 21 years ago when we notched up 22 against Beale in the first round of the Co. Championship in July 1994. That was 449 competitive games ago.
HURLING: The draw has been made for the two quarter finals and the two semi finals of the Munster JH ‘B’ Championship. In quarter final No. 1 Dunhill (Waterford) play Monalee (Limerick) with the winners facing the Tipperary Champions (yet to be determined) in the semi final.
In quarter final No. 2 we have been drawn away to Shanballymore (Cork) on Sunday, 29th November at 2pm with the winners going through to the semi final against Broadford (Clare) on Sunday, 13thDecember.
U21 FOOTBALL: As we write no date or venue has been fixed for the U21F Co. Club Final (Shield Section) between ourselves and Templenoe.
MINOR FOOTBALL: Likewise, nothing has been finalized in relation to our forthcoming semi final date away to An Ghaeltacht in the Central League. Check Website for updates.
BEST WISHES: All in the Club extend best wishes to Siobhán Naughton (daughter of former Club Chairman and current Co. Board Delegate, Jim) who has just moved to Dubai on a work-related assignment. Siobhán has been involved in many Club fund-raising activities in recent years, including our Strictly Come Dancing Events and her work-rate and expertise will be greatly missed around the Club. Best of luck Siobhán in your new venture abroad.
CONGRATULATIONS: to former Club Footballer, Tommy O’Connor (son of current Club Chairman, Aidan) and his new Bride, Tara Crean, who were married recently.
ANNIVERSARY: I wonder was it an omen – Kerry’s loss in this year’s All Ireland Final. One hundred years ago Kerry also lost the Final after being Champions on that occasion for the two previous years (1913 and 1914).
The anniversary of that Final is on Saturday next (7th Nov). It was on Sunday, the 7th November 1915 at the same venue (then referred to as The Croke Memorial Park) that Wexford defeated Kerry by three points (the same margin as this year’s defeat) and nearly a very similar score – 12 pts to 9 this year and 10 pts (2-4) to 7 (2-1) in 1915. Do things change much in 100 years ?. Look at a different sport – take the FA Cup Finals for example – in 1915 Sheffield Utd beat Chelsea 3-0. In 2015 Arsenal beat Aston Villa 4-0. Yes, very little change in a 100 years when you make those narrow comparisons.
BINGO: continues on this and every Saturday night commencing at 8.30pm.
CLUBHOUSE: As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties. For Bookings phone Des at 066 7126942 after 8pm any evening.
CARDS: The 45 Card Sessions continue in the Clubhouse every Monday and Thursday Nights, commencing at 9.30pm each night.
All at the Card bade farewell last week to former Club Footballer, Jimmy Cotter, who has returned to his home in the US after his annual autumn holiday here in Tralee. Looking forward to your visit again next September Jimmy.
LOTTO: Last week’s (26th Oct) Jackpot, worth €5,000, was not won. The numbers drawn were 16, 17, 19 and 27.
The €20 Winners were: Brian Caball, c/o Club Rockies; Jack McKivergan, c/o John Breen; Ann Murphy, c/o The Ladies; Brian Collins, c/o Martin Collins; and Teresa O’Connor, c/o Carmel O’Neill.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Patrick O’Regan, Pembroke Street and late of Bawnboy; John Denihan, Alderwood Road; Betty Mason (nee O’Connor), Cloonbeg Terrace and late of Mitchel’s Crescent and London; Eithne O’Rourke (nee Tiernan), Sligo (mother of Ladies Club Mentor, Una Moynihan and grandmother of Under 10 footballer, Seán Moynihan); Jerome McEllistrim, Ballydwyer (President of the Ballymac GAA Club); Bridie (Bridget) Quirke (nee Moriarty), Connolly Park and late of Gas Terrace; and Gilles Williams, Ballydunlea.
