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SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-14; Kerins O’Rahillys 2-15.
We came out the wrong side of a very entertaining Town League final played at a dry but breezy Austin Stack Park on last Easter Saturday evening (15th April). We were going for four-in-a-row titles in this competition but two O’Rahillys goals, one in each half, put paid to that ambition.
With five minutes to go in the first half we led by five points (1-7 to 0-5) but a late goal and a point for the Strand Road side left us ahead by just one at the break (1-7 to 1-6).
Ten minutes into the second half we had extended that to three (1-11 to 1-8) but during the course of the next eight minutes Rahillys had turned that right around to give them a three points lead (2-11 to 1-11). And they closed out the remainder of the game – scoring a further four points to three for us.
It didn’t help our cause to lose David Mannix so early in the game – David had to withdraw, eight minutes after the start, with an injury. We did, however, have some good individual performances all through. Pa McCarthy was in typical form, scoring four points from his half back position. Some well-taken scores also came from Greg Horan (0-3), Seán Dukes (1-1), Shane O’Callaghan (0-3) and Darragh O’Brien (0-3).
David Hennessy was making his Senior debut and made at least two outstanding saves to save us from a heavier defeat. Barry Walsh also prevented a certain goal early in the second half and it was good to see Ronan Shanahan back in the fold after a very successful venture in Kerry’s NFL campaign.
Team: David Hennessy, Fearghal MacNamara, Barry Walsh, Ronan Shanahan, Jack O’Shea, Shane Guthrie, Pa McCarthy (0-4), Michael O’Donnell, Alan Duggan, Fiachna Mangan, Greg Horan (0-3), Seán Dukes (1-1), David Mannix, Shane O’Callaghan (Capt) (0-3), Darragh O’Brien (0-3 – one free).
Subs used: Shane Carroll (8m), Darragh Scanlon (26m), Michael Collins (ht), David O’Sullivan (31m), Wayne Guthrie (34m).
Our next outing will involve a trip to Killarney to meet the current All Ireland Club Champions, Dr. Crokes in the quarter final of the Club Championship. This game has now been confirmed for next Sunday (23rd April) in Lewis Road with a 2.30pm start.
HURLING: Austin Stacks 2-10 (16); Causeway 5-28 (43).
Round 1 of the North Kerry IH League was played in Connolly Park last Wednesday evening (12th April) with the visitors coming out on top in a high-scoring game.
We now have away games in the remaining two rounds – against St. Brendans on next Friday (21st April) in Ardfert (throw-in 6.30pm) and against Ladys Walk on Saturday, 29th April.
ANNIVERSARY: All in the Club and in particular in the Hurling community will remember at this time the late Trevor Barrett as we commemorate the 3rd anniversary of his untimely death on this Thursday (20th April).
MINOR FOOTBALL: We were due to play Dingle last evening (18th April) in the penultimate round of the Co. League. Check Club Website for report. Then on this coming Friday (21st April) we are due to travel to Farranfore to play Firies in the final round of the Co.League.
MIXED LUCK: The two Kerry teams in action last week had mixed luck. Well done to the MF footballers (including our own Dylan Casey, Ciarán O’Reilly and Michael Slattery) on their big win against Clare (2-16 to 1-6) in the first round of the Munster Championship.
However a fancied U21 side (including our own Jack Morgan) lost to Galway (2-14 to 2-10) in the All Ireland semi final in Ennis.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS: We congratulate former Club Vice Chairman, Pat Joe McQuinn who celebrated a significant birthday during the past week.
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 (10th April) Jackpot, worth €5,450, was not won. The numbers drawn were 12, 23, 25, 28. The €20 winners were: Bryan McMahon, c/o Carmel O’Neill; Maeve Lynch, c/o The Club; Peter O’Regan and Kitty Bolger, both c/o Brendan O’Regan; and S. Cardwell, c/o Rock St. P.O..
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Marie McGrath (nee Moran), Artane (Dublin) and formerly of Strand Street; William (Billy) Foley, Casement’s Avenue and formerly of Blennerville; Mary Maughan (nee McQuaid), Shanakill; Vincent Linnane, Ardoughter, Ballyduff (Member of the Austin Stack Park Grounds Committee and of the Kerry SF Backroom Staff); and Matthew Hewitt, ‘San Jose’, Upper Rock Street and formerly of Castleisland.
