SENIOR FOOTBALL: Dingle 4-7; Austin Stacks 1-10.
After our best start to the season in living memory (we were undefeated in our first eight games) we surrendered that record at Dingle on last Sunday afternoon (11th May), going down to the home side by two clear goals in the quarter final of the Club Championship.
We played against the strong swirling wind in the first half and it was Dingle who opened the scoring with a pointed free after four minutes.
Early pressure by our lads paid dividends three minutes later when a super run from his wing back position by Ciarán O’Connell saw his shot across goal punched to the net by Darragh O’Brien.
A Shane Carroll pointed free in the 12th minute put us three up and that was still the margin in the 17th minute after both sides had swapped a point each – ours coming from another Shane Carroll free following a foul on Shane O’Callaghan..
A minute later Dingle got through on goal but Jonathan Conway made a brilliant save. The resultant forty five was put wide. However Dingle did put over two from play in the 21st and 22nd minutes.
Another great run by Ciarán O’Connell in the 25th minute yielded a point for the attacking wing back. Two minutes later Dingle reduced our lead to the minimum again with a pointed free and as half time approached they got through for their first goal of the game to send them in at half time with a two points lead (1-5 to 1-3).
Five minutes after the resumption we were back on level terms with two more pointed frees from Shane Carroll, and with the strong wind to our backs it looked as if we might press on.
But the opposite happened, as in the space of ninety seconds Dingle had got two quick goals. The first came in the 38th minute after Jonathan made another superb save only for the rebound to fall kindly for the Dingle forward who volleyed it in. When Dingle scored their 4th goal in the 54th minute there was then no way back for us. All our second half points, bar one, came from Shane Carroll frees. That solitary point from play came from David Mannix (47th minute), who did well when introduced during the second half.
Team: Jonathan Conway, Ronan Shanahan, Fearghal MacNamara, Seamus Bastible, Pa McCarthy, Conor Jordan, Ciarán O’Connell (0-1), Barry Shanahan (Capt), Greg Horan, Wayne Guthrie, Darragh O’Brien (1-0), Fiachna Mangan, Michael Collins, Shane Carroll (0-8 frees), Shane O’Callaghan.
Subs used: Barry Walsh (blood sub 11m-15m and full sub at ht), David Mannix (38m) (0-1), Denis McElligott (38m), William Kirby (47m), Eamon McAllen (53m).
Our next outing will be at home to Milltown-Castlemaine in round 5 of the Co. League on next Saturday evening (17th May) at 7pm.
HURLING: After a very good performance in the opening game which yielded a draw away to Kenmare, our Hurlers now have a home game against Duagh in round 2 of the South Kerry League on this Wednesday evening (14th May). Throw in 7pm.
Then, on next Monday evening (19th May) we have another home game against Kilgarvan in round 3 of the competition, with our final round away to St. Pats (East Kerry) on Wednesday, 28th May.
JUNIOR B FOOTBALL: Our B Team (who reached last year’s final) get their Co. League campaign underway on this Friday evening (16th May) with a home game against Kerins O’Rahillys at 7.30pm.
Our remaining fixtures are as follows – 23rd May Kilcummin (home); 30th May John Mitchels (away); 6th June Rathmore (away) and the final game away to Legion on a date to be fixed.
The Club has decided not to enter a C Team in this season’s competition.
MINOR FOOTBALL: Well done to the Kerry Minors (including our own Jack Morgan) on their victory over Tipperary in last Wednesday’s (7th May) Munster Championship semi final in Thurles.
They now have a date with Cork in July’s Final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Kerry will be bidding for their 43rd title while Cork will be seeking their 30th.
CONGRATULATIONS: to former Club Footballer, Billy Sheehan and his wife Marie on the recent birth of a second son (named Billy), a brother for Timmy Jnr.
SUNDAY LUNCH: continues in the Clubhouse every Sunday from 12 to 4pm. Bookings on 066 7126942.
CLUBHOUSE: As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties. Phone Ian from 7pm at 066 7126942 for bookings.
BINGO: The Bingo session will continue on this and every Saturday night at 8.30pm in our Clubrooms.
CARDS: The 45 Card Sessions continue in the Clubhouse every Monday and Thursday nights at 9.30pm.
LOTTO: Last Monday week’s (5th May) Jackpot worth €5,000 was not won. The numbers drawn were 7, 12, 25 and 29.
The €20 prizes went to Pádraig O’Connor c/o The Club; and Brian Morgan, Michael Kenny, Seán Myers and Tom Crowley, all c/o Club Rockies.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of Paddy Moriarty, Oakview Village and late of Ballyrickard Close and Huddersfield; Brendán O’Connell, Tonevane and late of St. Brendan’s Park; and Jimmy O’Sullivan, Derrymore East (father of former Club Footballer, Seamus) who died during the past week.