SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 0-19; John Mitchels 1-10.
Mitchels took full advantage of the almost gale- force wind and driving sleet in the opening 25 minutes of this round 2 Town League game played in Connolly Park yesterday afternoon (5th Feb). At that stage they led by seven points (1-8 to 0-4) after leading by a similar margin (1-5 to 0-1) at the end of the first quarter. Dale Counihan had opened our account after three minutes, and Darragh O’Brien (2 frees) and Fiachna Mangan scored our other three points up to that stage.
We closed out the half the stronger scoring three more unanswered points (2 more Darragh O’Brien frees, and one from play by Shane O’Callaghan) to reduce Mitchels lead at half time to four points (1-8 to 0-7).
An improvement in the weather conditions in the second half and the introduction of David Mannix and Denis McElligott at half time saw our boys take full control for the remainder of the game. We held the opposition to just two points during this second period while we went on to score twelve – all from play – and many from long-distance, especially by David Mannix. David scored five in this half and the remaining seven points were scored by seven different players – Jack O’Shea, Wayne Guthrie, Shane Carroll, Fiachna Mangan (his 2nd), Darragh O’Brien (his 5th), Dale Counihan (his 2nd) and Denis McElligott.
Round 3 of the League is fixed for the same time (12.30pm) next Sunday (12th Feb) with an away game against Kerins O’Rahillys.
Team: Pa Fitzgibbon, Darragh Scanlon, Barry Walsh, Denis Costello, Jack O’Shea (0-1), Pa McCarthy, Ciarán O’Connell, Wayne Guthrie (0-1), Shane Guthrie, Shane Carroll (0-1), Shane O’Callaghan (Capt) (0-1), Fiachna Mangan (0-2), David O’Sullivan, Darragh O’Brien (0-5 – four free), Dale Counihan (0-2).
Subs used: David Mannix (ht) (0-5), Denis McElligott (ht) (0-1), Seamus Bastible (57m).
We have drawn Dr. Crokes in the opening round (quarter final) of the Club Championship. Let us take this opportunity to wish Crokes the best of luck as they take on Corofin (Galway) in the All Ireland Club Championship semi final at the Gaelic Grounds (Limerick) at 4pm on next Saturday (11th Feb).
MINOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 5-9; Ballymac 2-7.
Our Minors got their season off to a winning start with a good win in round 2 of the Town League (round 1 – against Na Gaeil – postponed to the 22nd Feb) played in Connolly Park yesterday afternoon (5th Feb). Missing at least half a dozen players for a variety of reasons, including their involvement with the Kerry Minors and the Schools teams, the 18 who lined out this afternoon gave a great display and showed how competitive a season it’s going to be going forward.
Only two of the 18 who played were making their Minor debuts – David Oba and Dean Scanlon – and both performed very well.
We recovered well after Ballymac opened the scoring in the 3rd minute with a well-taken goal. Patiently, we added point after point from Donagh McKivergan, Harry O’Callaghan (free), Gearóid Sheehan and Harry again, this time from play, to put us in the lead for the first time after 17 minutes.
Ballymac were back on level terms again two minutes later but in the 24th minute we got through for the first of our five goals. Shane Walsh, who with Michael Linnane, was outstanding at centre field, won the kick-out and was fouled. His quickly taken free found wing back Conor Lowe, who raced forward and netted.
Harry O’Callaghan pointed again from a free two minutes later and then in the 28th minute came our second goal. It came as a result of a brilliant turn-over by full back Tomás Sheehy and after a well-worked move up field it was our centre back on this occasion, Donagh McMahon, who goaled.
This left us ahead at the break by 2-5 to 1-2. We could have been further ahead at this stage but for some brilliant saves by the Ballymac keeper.
Two early second half points from our two midfielders Michael Linnane and Shane Walsh stretched our lead further but the man that stole the show in this half was Harry O’Callaghan who scored a hat trick of goals in the space of seven minutes (39th, 40th and 46th). Our remaining two points in this half came from Simon Draghici and Conor Lowe.
There were also some great displays from Shane Kelliher, James Quigley and Cian Talbot in defence, while upfront Odhran Liston and Joe Looby were always industrious as were Michael Slattery and David Couchman when introduced in the second half.
So a very good start which will have pleased Team Manager, Wayne Quillinan and his fellow Management Team (John O’Sullivan, Jonathan Conway, Eoin Colgan and Kieran O’Callaghan) as we move on to the next round of the League which is fixed for next Saturday (11th Feb), away to John Mitchels, with a start time of 3.30pm (check website in case of any changes).
Team: David Oba, Shane Kelliher, Tomás Sheehy, James Quigley, Conor Lowe (1-1), Donagh McMahon (1-0), Cian Talbot, Michael Linnane (0-1), Shane Walsh (0-1), Odhran Liston, Gearód Sheehan (0-1), Dean Scanlon, Joe Looby, Donagh McKivergan (0-1), Harry O’Callaghan (3-3 – 2 pointed frees).
Subs used: Michael Slattery (39m), David Couchman (39m), Simon Draghici (41m) (0-1).
MEDALS PRESENTATION: Our thanks to Adrienne McLoughlin for the following report: The Senior Ladies and Hurling teams celebrated their county championship wins with a well attended Awards Night at the Austin Stacks Club. MC on the night was Andrew Morrissey.
Junior ‘A’ County Championship medals were presented to the Ladies team by William Kirby. The team defeated Kilcummin in an epic encounter in Farranfore last September to win the Brogue Inn Perpetual Cup. The Senior Ladies Player of the Year was Catriona Horgan.
In the Hurling Awards, the players “Player of the Year” Award was presented to Cillian Riordan by hurling team mentors Mike O’Halloran and Michael O’Leary. The Player of the Year Award was presented to Robert Byrne.
Both teams gave their all on the pitch throughout the year, giving their supporters plenty to cheer about, and certainly knew how to give their all on the dance floor all night! Looking forward to plenty of action from both teams in our centenary year.
SENIOR SCÓR: Oifigeach Scór, Brian Caball informs us that the County Finals of Senior Scór will be held in Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál (Presentation Primary), Oileán Ciarraí, on Saturday week (18th Feb) at 8pm. And one of the participants in that final will be Mary Barry (wife of Paddy) after she won her heat in last Thursday’s semi finals in Solo Singing. Well done Mary and the best of luck in the Final.
The Senior Quiz County Final will be held at the same venue on the same day but at 6pm sharp. We are still looking for 4 volunteers for a table quiz team.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: to Liam Somers, Connolly Park who was out on the town at the weekend, celebrating a significant birthday.
CLUBHOUSE: As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties. For Bookings, phone Maurice McNamara at 086 3747 642.
CARDS: The 45 Card Sessions continue in the Clubhouse on every Monday and Thursday nights, commencing at 9.30pm each night.
LOTTO: Last week’s (30th Jan) Jackpot, worth €5,000, was not won. The numbers drawn were 10, 24, 25, 26. The €20 winners were: Carmel Quilter, c/o The Club; Siobhán Quirke and Kathleen Moriarty, both c/o Rock Street PO; Johnny Carroll, c/o Club Rockies; and Sharon Poff, c/o Carmel O’Neill.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – John Maher, Blennerville and late of Railway Terrace; Mary Brosnan (nee Sugrue), Sandville, Castleisland and late of farmer’s Bridge; Sister Joan Curtin, Gort Na Sidhe, Mounthawk and late of Brosna and Colaiste Íde, Dingle; and Mary Hanafin (nee Dennehy), Leith East and late of Mounthenry, Firies.
