DEATH OF MICK RYAN: All in the Club and in the local community were saddened last week to learn of the death of Mick Ryan, The Oaks, Tralee and late of Navan Road, Dublin and St. Vincent’s CBS, Glasnevin.
Mick was son of the late Dan Ryan, a former All Ireland SF Medal winner with Kerry (1930, 1931), a Club Hurler and Footballer (1928-1940) and a Club Official, including Club Chairman for many years.
Mick himself was a Club Footballer and Hurler (1955 to 1965) before moving to Dublin where he worked as a school teacher for all of his adult live. Many of his ex pupils went on to excel in various disciplines, including sport (Soccor Star Kenny Cunningham and Dublin Footballer Jason Sherlock to name but two).
When he retired from teaching he returned to his native Tralee and immersed himself immediately in Club activities. He was a member of the Club Committee for many years and also got involved as a Hurling and Football Mentor, especially at Juvenile level.
We extend sincere sympathy to Mick’s wife, Nuala, his daughter, Mary, his son Donal, his three grand children, Grace, Luke and James and to all his extended family and friends.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is also offered to the families of the following who died recently – Ursula Flaherty, Ballinvosherig; and Eamonn McCarty, Lissardboola and late of Beaumont (Dublin).
CORPORATE LUNCH: All is in readiness for the Club’s Corpoate Lunch which goes ahead at Ballygarry House Hotel on this coming Friday (24th Feb).
Drinks and Reception at 1.30pm with Dinner at 3pm. Host for the occasion is RTE’s Darragh Maloney, who many regard as the best all-round commentator/presenter/anchor man in the business.
CENTENARY MEMBERSHIP DEAL: We are asking existing members, players, former players, supporters, parents of juvenile players both boys & girls clubs, business owners and friends of Austin Stacks (living abroad or at home) to consider becoming a Member of the Club and also entry to the Austin Stacks Weekly lotto. The total cost for this dual package is by direct debit €10 a month. 2017 Direct Debit Mandate membership/lotto forms are now available from all Executive Officers or can be posted out to anyone who wishes to join – email Secretary.austinstacks.kerry@gaa.ie or text your name & address to Club Secretary on 086 1053300. Please sign up and play your part in guaranteeing the financial future of our great club.
DEFIBRILLATOR COURSE: A Refresher Defibrillator course in conjunction with Tralee Civil Defence will be held in the Austin Stacks Club Bar/hall from 7pm to 10pm this Thursday Feb 23rd. This course is aimed at those club members already trained in Defibrillator use but we encourage any club members especially coaches and senior players who might like to learn about Defibrillator use to come along also.
GAELTACHT SCHOLARSHIPS: are funded by GAA Coistí (Munster, Kerry & District Boards) to give some financial help to young students who wish to spend time in Corcha Dhuibhne, West Kerry over the summer months. If you wish your child to avail of the scoláireacht, apply immediately by texting your child’s name to Club Secretary on 086 1053300. All applicants must be registered members of Austin Stacks GAA or Austin Stacks Ladies Club. Closing date for receipt of applications March 31st.
SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 2-10; Na Gaeil 1-7.
Our Seniors continued their winning start to the season with their 4th victory out of four in this the 4th and final round of the Town League played in Connolly Park yesterday afternoon (19th Feb).
Na Gaeil started brilliantly with a well-taken goal inside the first minute. A Darragh O’Brien pointed free, after four minutes, opened our account, and our first point from play came five minutes later when a brilliant turn-over by Seamus Bastible found David O’Sullivan who put over. Then in the 14th minute Na Gaeil went two ahead again from a pointed free.
We had now settled well with Michael O’Donnell and Shane Guthrie dominating the middle and in the space of four minutes (17th to 21st) moved into the lead for the first time. Two pointed frees from Darragh O’Brien, following fouls on Denis McElligott and Jack O’Shea, brought us level, and a super point from play by Pa McCarthy, which clipped the cross-bar, put us ahead. Five minutes later Na Gaeil drew level again and then in the closing minutes of the half, good work by Jack O’Shea and Pa McCarthy saw Pa shoot low to the keeper’s right for a lovely goal. This was followed by a Denis McElligott point to leave us ahead by four at the break (1-6 to 1-2).
Seven minutes after the resumption we found ourselves nine points clear (2-8 to 1-2), with two points from play by Michael O’Donnell and by second half substitute, Shane O’Callaghan, followed by a second goal from Pa McCarthy with the two Shanes (Guthrie and O’Callaghan) prominent in the build-up.
The visitors finished the game the stronger, scoring five more points to our two during the remainder of the game – our two coming again from Pa McCarthy to bring Pa’s total for the hour to 2-3.
Good to see Barry Galvin, John Murphy and Ronan Shanahan making their first appearances of the season with all three contributing handsomely to the win.
Both sides served up a very entertaining game with good attacking football and, based on this display, it will be no surprise if Na Gaeil move up another division at the end of this season’s Co. League. They were promoted from Division 4 at the end of last season and if they play with the same level of skill and intensity, as they did last Sunday, they won’t be far away from a Division 2 slot next season.
We now contest the Town League Final which, according to the Town Board’s Master Fixtures, should go ahead on the week-end after next (4th/5th March).
Team: Barry Galvin, John Murphy, Fearghal MacNamara, Denis Costello, Darragh Scanlon, Ronan Shanahan (Capt), Ciarán O’Connell, Michael O’Donnell (0-1), Shane Guthrie, Pa McCarthy (2-3), Denis McElligott (0-1), Jack O’Shea, Darragh O’Brien (0-3 – frees), David O’Sullivan (0-1), Seamus Bastible.
Subs used: Shane O’Callaghan (ht) (0-1), Cian O’Sullivan (44m), Paul Galvin (44m), Wayne Guthrie (45m), Barry Walsh (53m).
WELL DONE: to Glenbeigh/Glencar on their All Ireland JF Club Final victory over Rock Saint Patricks (Tyrone) in Croke Park yesterday (19th Feb). What an exciting finish to the game. With the sides level as full time approached, extra time looked likely, but the Mid Kerry boys pulled away in the end to win with three points to spare (1-14 to 1-11).
MINOR FOOTBALL: Three rounds of this 5 round Town League are now due to be played over a seven day period. The postponed round 1 game, against Na Gaeil, is fixed for this Wednesday afternoon (22nd Feb) at 4pm in Killeen. Then on Saturday (25th Feb) round 4, at home to Ardfert, is due to go ahead as scheduled, at 3.30pm. Then three days later (Shrove Tuesday, 28th Feb) we are due to play the postponed round 3 game, away to John Mitchels with a 7pm throw in.
CORN UÍ MHUIRÍ; After a second replay the Munster Post Primary Schools semi final was finally resolved when Tralee CBS had a two points win over Colaiste Chriost Rí (1-10 to 0-11) in Ballyvourney last Saturday (18th Feb). We now wish the CBS boys, including our own five players on the panel – Brandon Patterson, David Fitzmaurice, Joseph O’Connor, Gearóid Fitzgerald and David Couchman,
the best of luck in next Saturday’s Munster Final against county rivals, St. Brendan’s Seminary, Killarney. This final will take place in Austin Stack Park at 4.30pm.
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 (13th Feb) Jackpot, worth €5,050, was not won. The numbers drawn were 2, 4, 17, 25. The €20 winners were: Anthony Moriarty, c/o Club Rockies; Paul O’Connor and Sarah O’Leary, both c/o Carmel O’Neill; Anne Sheehan, c/o The Club; and Jackie Power, c/o The Ladies.
