SENIOR FOOTBALL

Austin Stacks 0-15; Dingle 0-7.

Our previous trip to Dingle, five weeks ago, ended in a six points defeat for us, in the quarter final of the Club Championship. But our journey back west on a glorious summer’s evening last Saturday (14th June), for round six of the Co. League, reversed that result, thereby continuing our unbeaten run in this season’s League.

The first half ended all square on four points each with Shane Carroll contributing three from placed balls and our only score from play coming from David Mannix in the 24th minute.

Four minutes after the resumption Dingle went ahead again. But we were defending in numbers, as we did in the first half, soaking up all the pressure that Dingle threw at us and we now started to attack in droves. And this included almost everyone from Ciarán O’Connell, wearing the unfamiliar number two jersey, out.In the space of five minutes (from the 35th to the 40th) we went into a three points lead (0-8 to 0-5) with four great scores from David Mannix, Darragh O’Brien, Fiachna Mangan and Greg Horan.

In the next ten minutes two points for the home side and one for us by Mikey Collins left us ahead by two with ten minutes remaining (0-9 to 0-7). But we took complete control in those remaining minutes, scoring a further six points without reply. Two of these came from two more Shane Carroll frees with the other four coming from play by David Mannix (his 3rd of the day) and three brilliant points from two of our outstanding defenders – Conor Jordan with two and the other one by corner back Ciarán O’Connell.

Our display, especially in that second half, was as good as we have seen all season. Jonathan’s kick-outs almost always found a Rock man, as they normally do. Team captain, Barry Shanahan, launched many a Stacks attack. Seán Ryan, playing his first full game (he made his debut the previous week when coming on as a sub) was very impressive. Wayne Guthrie won a lot of ball around the middle and the evergreen Kirby got a standing ovation when coming off after playing 58 of the 60 minutes. Up front all our six forwards scored.

Team: Jonathan Conway, Ciarán O’Connell (0-1), Barry Shanahan (Capt), John Dennis, Pa McCarthy, Conor Jordan (0-2), Seán Ryan, Wayne Guthrie, William Kirby, Michael Collins (0-1), Greg Horan (0-1), Fiachna Mangan (0-1), David Mannix (0-3), Shane Carroll (0-5 frees), Darragh O’Brien (0-1).
Subs: Darragh Long (54m), Darren Tiernan (58m).

SF CO. CHAMPIONSHIP: We have drawn Rathmore in the next round (last 15) of the Co. Championship. This will only be the second meeting between the sides in this competition. Our only other meeting was at the quarter final stage of the 2010 Championship when we had eight points to spare (1-13 to 1-5) over the East Kerry side.
There is a possibility, if so desired, that the game could double up with the round 4 Co. League game, as both ties are home games for us.

SENIOR HURLING: Austin Stacks 2-9; Kenmare 2-9.

So far, this season, it has been impossible to separate these sides. When they met at the end of April in the first round of the South Kerry League it ended in a draw. Both teams ended up on seven points each in the League table at the end of the round stage of the League. So last Wednesday evening’s (11th June) game, played in ideal conditions in Connolly Park, doubled up as a play-off in that South KerryLeague (with the winners to go through to the final and the losers contesting a semi final against Duagh) and as round 1 of the County SH League (Div 3).

We had a very good first half. We defended very well, with Peter O’Regan and Andrew Morrissey clearing their lines on numerous occasions and Kevin O’Leary, Paudie Bradley, Jim McCarthy and Seán King as solid as ever. Michael O’Leary was soundness personified in his unusual position in goals.

Upfront the scores were coming as well with goals by John McCarthy and Joe Brennan and points from Ronan Gilsenan, Paul Daly ( 2 frees) and Danny Maguire and one also from Joe Brennan. New man, Aaron Barry was also catching the eye with good incisive play as was Brian Meehan. Shane Fitzgerald was doing well in the centre also. The one concerning factor was the number of wides we had in that first half – 11 in all – which was most uncharacteristic for our lads, especially on a glorious summer’s evening.

So at half time things looked comfortable enough when we led by 2-5 to 1-1 after playing well within ourselves.
A win for us looked odds on eight minutes into the second half when we had extended that lead with two more points from John McCarthy and Danny Maguire But gradually Kenmare edged themselves back into the game, scoring six points without reply between the 40th and 56th minutes to leave just three between the sides at that stage (2-7 to 1-7). Paul Daly converted a 65 in the 58th minute to put us four up again, but in the space of a minute Kenmare added a goal and a point to see the sides level for the first time in the game.

In the 61st minute Paul Daly put us in front again with a pointed free after Brian Meehan was fouled but on the stroke of full time the visitors equalized and that’s how it ended.
The result meant a point on the Co. League table for both sides but it also necessitates a replay to determine who goes where in the South Kerry League (winners to the final, losers to the semi final).

As we said it was good to see Aaron Barry making his Senior debut – he did play Juvenile Hurling with the Club in the past. It was also good to welcome new-comer Stephen Pierce to the squad and also good to welcome back Ross Long after an absence.

Team: Michael O’Leary, Kevin O’Leary, Peter O’Regan, Paudie Bradley, Andrew Morrissey, Jim McCarthy, Seán King, Shane Fitzgerald, Joe Brennan (1-1), John McCarthy (1-1), Danny Maguire (0-2), Aaron Barry, Paul Daly (Capt) (0-4 – 3 free, one 65), Ronan Gilsenan (0-1), Brian Meehan.

Subs: David Field (45m), Kieran McCaughley (50m), Damien McCarthy (51m).
Our round 2 Co. League game, against St. Pats (East Kerry), is due to go ahead in Fossa on this Wednesday evening (18th June) at 7.30pm.

CONGRATULATIONS: to Club Hurler Seán King and Eva Corcoran on the recent birth of their son, Michael.

JUNIOR B FOOTBALL: Our B team were due to play their penultimate round of the Co. League away to Legion on Monday evening (16th June). With both teams topping the League Table on five points each a win will put us in the League final for the second year in succession. In the competition so far we had good wins over O’Rahillys (4-13 to 0-9) and Mitchels (1-17 to 0-7) and a draw away to Rathmore (1-10 each).

PÁDRAIG LYNCH: All in the Club extend congratulations and best wishes to Pádraig Lynch as he takes up a new jobs position in Kildare. While dual player Podge will not be severing his ties totally with the Club (he will be commuting down for the occasional game when time permits) his loss, nonetheless, will be felt by both Hurlers and Footballers alike and also by the Club Executive of which he was a loyal and valued member. Best of luck again Podge.

CONGRATULATIONS: to Tracey Nelligan (former Bar Manager) and Louis Heaphy (former Club footballer) who were married recently

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.

SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of Margaret Aherne, London and late of Urban Tce., Boherbee; and Gerry Smyth, West Belfast (brother of Pauline Barrett, Ballyard) who died during the past week.