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.
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: For the second week in a row the elements sidelined the Ballymac/KerinsO’Rahillys Town League game, the winners of which will meet our Seniors in the Town League Final. That Final was to have taken place on this coming week-end but it has now postponed indefinitely as the Co. League campaign is about to commence on the following week-end.
We will have no game that week-end as our opening round against Dr. Crokes has been put back due to the Killarney boy’s involvement in the All Ireland Club final on St. Patrick’s Day. According to the Co. Board’s fixtures calendar that Stacks .v. Crokes Co. League game if now fixed for mid summers day (24th June ) in Connolly Park.
B FOOTBALL: Our B team are due to travel to Rathmore on next Sunday afternoon (12th March) to play the local side in what was originally to be the last round (R13) of the Co. League. Throw in at 2pm. Then on the following Sunday (19thMarch) we are scheduled to play Moyvane at home in round 1 proper of the League.
BEST OF LUCK: to the Kerry U21s (including our own Jack Morgan) when they take on Clare in the opening round of the Munster Championship in Austin Stacks Park on this Wednesday evening (8th March) at 7.30. The winners will play Waterford in Dungarvan on the following Wednesday (15th March) with the Final fixed for Wednesday, 29th March.
MINOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-22; Laune Rangers 1-9.
Our Minors opened their Co. League campaign with a brilliant win over a very good Killorglin side at Connolly Park (Nuns Field) on last Saturday afternoon (4th March). With four players back from the Kerry Minors and Corn Uí Mhuirí duty making their first starts of the season and playing superbly all through (Dylan Casey, Ciarán O’Reilly, David Fitzmaurice and Gearóid Fitzgerald), we nevertheless found ourselves in arrears early on with Rangers ahead by 1-2 to 0-1 after four minutes.
Our opening point came when team captain, Shane Walsh fielded beautifully from the kick-out, who quickly found Gearóid Sheehan and he laid off to Gearóid Fitzgerald who put over from distance. Within two minutes we added two more from David Fitzmaurice and Michael Linnane.
Then in the 7th minute we went ahead for the first time, and never lost that lead again when Gearóid Fitzgerald put Michael Slattery through for a splendid goal. Michael was making his first start at Minor level (this was his 4th appearance, playing two games last year and one a few weeks ago, coming on as a sub in all three games).
Then by the next six minutes we had added a further four points from four different players – Michael Slattery again from a free, Michael Linnane and Harry O’Callaghan, both from play and a pointed free by Donagh McKivergan. This left us ahead by five at the end of the first quarter (1-7 to 1-2). And that was still the difference between the sides at half time with both sides scoring four each in the second quarter – all our four coming from play and all from our full forward line – Donagh McKivergan (2) and one each from Gearóid Fitzgerald and Michael Slattery. We led by 1-11 to 1-6 at half time.
The second half was really all one way traffic. We scored another eleven points in this period, Donagh McKivergan (5 – three frees), Gearóid Sheehan (2 from play) and Michael Slattery one from a free. Our remaining three points came from three of our six second-half substitutes – James Quigley, Joe Looby and Alan Dore, all splendid efforts. Holding a very good Rangers side to 1-9 was achieved by some brilliant defensive work from all six defenders and we now look forward to our remaining four games in the League. We are now due to travel to Dr. Crokes for our next game on Saturday next (11thMarch) at 4pm.
Team: Robbie Murphy, Shane Kelliher, Dylan Casey, Donagh McMahon, Conor Lowe, Ciarán O’Reilly, Tomás Sheehy, Shane Walsh (Capt), David Fitzmaurice (0-1), Gearóid Sheehan (0-2), Harry O’Callaghan (0-1), Michael Linnane (0-2), Gearóid Fitzgerald (0-2), Donagh McKivergan (0-8 – 4 frees), Michael Slattery (1-3 – two frees).
Subs used: James Quigley (43m) (0-1), Odhran Liston (51m), Joe Looby (51m) (0-1), Cian Talbot (53m), Alan Dore (51m) (0-1), Dean Scanlon (54m).
CONGRATULATIONS: to Amalie and Seanie Power (former Club footballer) on the birth of a second baby boy (Theo), a little brother for Matisse, and another grandson for Jackie and Noreen.
COGHAIRDEACHAS: also to Brian Caball on his brilliant items of historical interest which are appearing each week in his Juvenile Notes to commemorate our Centenary year. Well worth the read and a Collector’s item for sure.
FACEBOOK; Last week (27th Feb) the Club’s Facebook passed the 4,000 membership mark fir the first time since its establishment.
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 (27th Feb) Jackpot, worth €5,150, was not won. The numbers drawn were 5, 9, 21, 24. The €20 winners were: Chris Fitzpatrick and PK Clifford, both c/o Carmel O’Neill; and John Joe Sugrue, Elma Nix and Ronan Kavanagh, all c/o Club Rockies.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Christopher Elmes, Leith East and late of Toronto and Dublin; Margaret (Peggy) Conway (nee Buckley), Cahill’s Park; and Mary Hoffman (nee Horan), Malahide and Tralee.
