TREVOR BARRETT MEMORIAL HURLING TOURNAMENT:
It was a morning, an afternoon and an evening of some brilliant hurling – fitting, for the first staging of the Trevor Barrett Memorial Tournament held in Connolly Park on last Saturday (2nd August) – a day after which Trevor would have celebrated his 30th birthday (born 1stAugust 1984). From the time when referee Paudie Dineen threw in the ball for the first game at 11.09am to when Paddy White signaled the end of the final game at a minute past six, we were entertained to some super stuff.
Only a point separated the sides in the first game with Laochra Óg, from the Macroom area (set up as a Club just over six months ago) coming out on top by the narrowest of margins (1-9 to 3-2) over their fellow Corkonians, Lismire (Man of the Match – Brian Corcoran). Coincidentally, both sides met again in the Shield Final, and on this occasion the result was reversed when Lismire came out on top on a scoreline of 3-6 to 0-5.
The build-up to the Cup Final saw the following results – Austin Stacks beat St. Pats (3-10 to 2-2 with Breandán Caball Man of the Match); Causeway beat Laochra Óg (2-27 to 0-1 with Pádraig Harty Man of the Match); Lismire beat St. Pats (1-13 to 3-0 with John O’Callaghan Man of the Match) and Austin Stacks beat Laochra Óg (2-10 to 1-2 with Jim McCarthy Man of the Match) We thought we saw some great hurling in those opening six games – and we did.
But the best was yet to come in the Cup Final. Congratulations to an excellent Causeway team who were the first winners of the Cup – but our lads pushed them all the way in that superb Final (1-10 to 1-5). And if there was a prize for the score of the game or the goal of the game or of the Tournament, then it would, without a shadow of a doubt, go to Joe Brennan’s goal scored in the 4th minute of the second half. Joe himself was fouled and most people thought Paul Daly would point the resultant free.
But Paul struck the ball low into Joe’s path and Joe, with his back still to goal, connected beautifully over his shoulder and the sliothar went straight into the top corner of the net. And if Mick Mackey or Christy Ring or Nicky Rackard or DJ Carey or Henry Shefflin have scored as good a goal, then we haven’t seen it or read about it (although Francie McLoughlin claims that he himself has scored a better one – the evidence Francie please).
The Cup, the Shield and the other trophies were presented immediately after the Cup Final – with Team Manager, Mark Power, the Master of Ceremonies. Before that Mark thanked everyone, too numerous to list here, but including our Sponsors, Caterers, Red Cross men, Referees and Officials and all our own members, who had anything to do with the staging of the Tournament. Ger McCarthy, the Co. Hurling Officer, and himself a former Causeway player, spoke, as did Trevor’s father, Richard, also with Causeway connections, followed by Club Chairman, Aidan O’Connor.
Lismire’s Terry Aherne, won the Man of the Match in the Shield Final while Causeway’s Jason Diggins won the Cup Final Man of the Match. Fittingly, Peter O’Regan won the Tournament Man of the Match, after some brilliant displays in all three matches, but especially in the Cup Final when he cleared his lines time after time, when it looked certain that Causeway would add to their tally. Also fittingly the Causeway captain who received the Winners Cup was none other than Brian Cantillon, a first cousin of Trevor’s.
Trophies were also presented to the Barrett Family (with the inscription ‘Trevor – the ultimate Rockie’) and to Trevor’s sister, Gillian on behalf of his girl-friend, Lorraine Counihan. On behalf of the Club thanks again to all the teams who participated and to the other three teams who originally entered the Competition – Crotta, O’Dorney and Wolfe Tones – but who had to withdraw when their teams subsequently became involved in their respective Co.
Championships. A special thanks to Mark and the whole Hurling squad who left no stone unturned in organizing this brilliant Tournament which, we are sure, will go from strength to strength in the years ahead.
HURLING:
The opening round games (quarter final) of the County Intermediate Hurling Championship are due to go ahead on this Friday evening (8th Aug). Our game, against Lixnaw B, is in Connolly Park at 7pm. However, as we write we learn that they may not go ahead on this date after all. Check Website for updates.
ANDREW MORRISSEY:
It’s great to have Club Hurler, Andrew Morrissey back on Radio Kerry again after his sojourn in Limerick Radio for the past while. Andrew starts back on this Tuesday where he is now presenting the ‘Morning Show’ with Elaine Kinsella. While working and living in Limerick not alone did Andrew never miss a Hurling game with the Club but he never missed a Training Session as well, commuting up and down from the Mid-West capital the whole time. That’s true commitment and loyalty to one’s Club – the essence of the GAA.
Great to have you back in Town again Andrew.
SENIOR FOOTBALL:
Our postponed Round 7 Co. League game, away to Listowel Emmets), has been fixed for this Saturday evening (9th Aug) at 7pm but, like the Hurling, this is not certain either as it may be switched to the following afternoon.. Check Web for updates.
JUNIOR B FOOTBALL:
Na Gaeil 2-10; Austin Stacks 0-8. Having already qualified for the Town League semi final with four wins out of four, selectors Colm Mangan, Tim McMahon and John O’Sullivan released seven players who lined out in our previous round 4 game to travel with the Senior squad to play a Challenge Game in Ballyvourney on the same evening (Wed. 30th July) and thereby drafted in a number of Minors in their place.
In all ten Minors lined out in this evening’s (30th July) 5th and final round game in Killeen but we came up short against a very good Na Gaeil side. We managed only three points in the first half – two from team captain, Eoin Colgan and our opening score in the 6thminute from Timmy Murphy. Two goals by the opposition in that first half meant we had it all to do in the second period and at half time we trailed by 2-5 to 0-3. We played much better in the second half , a half in which both sides scored five points each – ours coming from Seán Dukes (2), Ciarán Flanagan, Louis Ryle and David O’Sullivan.
We now await other results to determine who we play in the semi final/final of the competition. Team: Sean Purcell, Shane Greensmyth, Niall Carroll-Cane, Jack Kenny, Tom McLoughlin, David O’Sullivan (0-1), Craig Corcoran, Ciarán Flanagan (0-1), Jack O’Shea, Kyle Fitzgibbon, Eoin Colgan (Capt) (0-2), James Galvin, Timmy Murphy (0-1), Danny Carroll, Seán Dukes (0-2). Subs used: Colin Griffin (ht), Louis Ryle (ht) (0-1), Calvin Foley (ht).
Our Co. League semi final against Rathmore goes ahead on next Wednesday (6th Aug) at 7pm in Rathmore. The winner plays Killarney Legion in the final. We have also drawn Rathmore (away) in the 1st round (quarter final) of the County Championship (Molyneaux Cup). This game has been fixed for Friday, 15th August at 7pm.
U21 FOOTBALL:
Fixtures have been announced for the U21F Club Championship. Teams have been divided into three groups of 7. We are in Group A. The 1st round involves games between teams in Groups B and C. The 7 losers then play in the Shield competition while the winners play teams in Group A in the Cup competition. The 1st round games between B and C are fixed for Wednesday, 13th August, so our first game could be the week after i.e. Wednesday, 20th August.
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR CLUB MEMBERSHIP:
Are you receiving Club Up-dates regarding fixtures/results and club events? If not text your name to Club Secretary, Elma Nix, to be included. Phone number 086 105 3300. www.austinstacks.ie to find the most up-to-date Austin Stacks news and match reports and photographs.
THE BROGUE INN:
It’s great to see the Brogue Inn back in business again. The landmark Hostelry at the Bottom of the Rock reopened over a week ago and has been ‘jointed’ ever since. We wish Fiona Kirby and husband Kevin Cotter every success for the future.
BEST WISHES:
To former Club Footballer Ger MacNamara (a member of that Co. Championship winning side in 1973 and a Kerry Minor in 1972, and father of current player, Fearghal) who has just retired from Kerry County Council where he has served for many years as a Senior Executive Engineer.
CLUBHOUSE:
As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties. Phone Ian from 7pm at 066 7126942 for bookings. CARDS: The 45 Card Sessions continue in the Clubhouse every Monday and Thursday nights at 9.30pm. LOTTO: Last Monday’s (28st July) Jackpot worth €5,000 was not won.
The numbers drawn were 3, 24, 27 and 29. The €20 Prizes went to Kay Dillon, c/o The Bingo; Brian Collins, c/o Martin Collins; Liam O’Connor, c/o The Club; and Terry Healy and Catherine Ryan, both c/o Club Rockies.
SYMPATHY:
Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of Sister Clement (Kathy Mai) O’Sullivan, Presentation Sisters, Tuam and late of Barrow, Ardfert (Aunt of current Club Treasurer, Bernie Mannix); Myles Cronin, St. Brendan’s Park (brother of the late Brendan, former Club Player and PRO); Philomena Garvey (nee Rea), St. Brendan’s Park and late of Ardnageehy, Charleville); Seán Geaney, Fountain Court and late of Reamore, Kielduff; and Joan Talbot (nee Walsh), Woodlands, Oakpark (aunt of former Club players, Niamh Collins and John, Tim, Paul and David Walsh) who died recently.
