SENIOR FOOTBALL: St. Kierans 1-9; Austin Stacks 0-14.
Following our poor start to last week’s Co. Championship drawn game we were in no mood for a repeat of same in this first round replay at Scartaglin on last Saturday evening (20th May).
And after a rather tentative start by both sides we went into a two points lead with a pointed free from David Mannix in the 7th minute and one from play by Michael O’Donnell three minutes later. Two immediate points by the home side wiped out that lead.
Both sides then had a period of dominance for the rest of the half. Between the 14th and 22nd minute we added a further four points – two from David Mannix (one free) and one each from play by Shane O’Callaghan and Michael O’Donnell.
Then it was the turn of St. Kierans when they added four points between then and half time to leave the sides still deadlocked at the break (0-6 each)
Kierans then went ahead for the first time in the game with two quick points shortly after the resumption. Then in a five minute spell (33rd to 38th minute) we added a point per minute – two from play by Pa McCarthy, two by David Mannix (one free) and one from play by Michael O’Donnell.
A point each then from both sides (Michael O’Donnell again on target for us) left us with a three points lead (0-12 to 0-9) as the game entered the final quarter.
But Kierans were not to lie down and in the 47th minute they capitalized on a breaking ball in the square to shoot to the net and level matters for the 4th time in the game. However we quickly regrouped and in the space of four minutes found ourselves back in the lead again with two good points from David Mannix and Michael O’Donnell.
And even though there was a further 13 minutes of play (including four of added time) that turned out to be the last score of the game and how appropriate that it was Michael who scored it as he was easily the Man of the Match after one of his best performances in a Rock jersey, certainly at Senior level.
And Greg Horan wasn’t far behind. One tackle he made, seven minutes into the second half, spurred our lads on. And Kieran Donaghy could be found all over the place – a target man up front but back defending when needed.
And mention of defending, we experienced a brilliant display by our Minors the previous night which was followed by an equally brilliant display by our six Senior defenders in Scartaglin.
And one more man – our last line of defence – goalkeeper, David Hennessy. He kept us in the game again with at least two outstanding saves – one from play in the 8th minute and the second from a Kierans penalty in the 56th minute, which if scored would have given them a one point lead and possibly the momentum to move on from there.
Team: David Hennessy, Barry Walsh, Fearghal MacNamara, Ronan Shanahan, Pa McCarthy (0-2), Jack O’Shea, Jack Morgan, Shane Carroll, Wayne Guthrie, Fiachna Mangan, Greg Horan, Michael O’Donnell (0-5), David Mannix (0-6 – three frees), Kieran Donaghy, Shane O’Callaghan (Capt) (0-1).
Subs used: Denis McElligott (55m), Denis Costello (57m).
We now have a home game in round 2A of the Championship against Killarney Legion. This game is fixed for next Friday evening with a 7.30pm start in Connolly Park.
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With huge success for the last 2 years we are now taking CV’s for Summer, part time and full time employment. Please consider this golden opportunity where you will receive all the tools to update your CV and direct help with interview techniques from the Jobmatch Mentors. Feedback from employers continues to be very positive. Please email jobmatch@austinstacks.ie.
MINOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 0-9; Firies 1-5.
Four weeks previously (21st April) when we travelled to Farranfore to play the same opposition in the 5th and final round of the Co. League we had an easy win (2-15 to 0-4). But when the same sides met in the League semi final in Connolly Park last Friday evening (19th May) it was a different affair entirely.
Firies won the throw-in, raced forward and were awarded a penalty which they brilliantly dispatched to the net, giving Robbie no chance. Not even Lev Yashin, Gordon Banks or Marcus O’Neill, in their days, would have saved that one.
By the 3rd minute they had added two points. We then began to settle and, with a rock-solid defence, held the visitors scoreless for the rest of the half. Our first point came in the 4th minute when Ciarán O’Reilly fielded the kick-out, found Donagh McKivergan who passed to Conor Lowe.
Conor going through was fouled and Donagh McKivergan pointed the resultant free. Our next score came in the 17th minute when Michael Linnane intercepted a Firies clearance and put over a beauty.
With David Fitzmaurice and Joseph O’Connor edging midfield we continued to attack and with five minutes from half time Donagh McMahon put Michael Slattery through and he scored one of the points of the game. This left the visitors ahead by two at the break (1-2 to 0-3).
Wayne (Quillinan) and his charges (John O’Sullivan, Jonathan Conway and Eoin Colgan) introduced Gearóid Sheehan for the second half and he contributed in no small way to the eventual outcome.
Again it was the tightness of our defence that kept the opposition from scoring early on – registering two wides by the 34th minute. Five minutes after the resumption Conor Lowe’s shot was deflected out for as forty five which was converted superbly by Ciarán O’Reilly.
Two minutes later Gearóid Fitzgerald was fouled out near the side line and it was Ciarán again who steered the ball over the bar from the acutest of angles to bring us level for the first time in the game.
Points were then exchanged, with ours coming half way through the half. And with a packed defence (for most of the game Firies had 12 /13 men behind the ball) it was difficult to get through.
But a lovely move started by Seán Quilter, continued by Donagah McKivergan and Michael Slattery, who found Gearóid Sheehan and Gearóid pointed from distance .
In the space of the next six minutes Firies went ahead again after converting two more points. But our boys never gave in and points from Harry O’Callaghan in the 52nd minute and from Donagh McKivergan three minutes later leveled the game again .
Then in the 60th minute Gearóid Sheehan became the hero of the hour when he put over a beauty to give us the lead for the first time in the game and a score that turned out to be the winner, despite a brave effort by Firies, in added time, to get back on level terms or indeed get the winner.
But our superb defence held out as they had done for most of the game – if it wasn’t Shane Kelliher getting the block in, it was Dylan Casey. And if it wasn’t Donagh McMahon, it was Ciarán O’Reilly or team captain, Shane Walsh.
But the man that shaded the defensive performance in the opinion of many was Odhran Liston who was superb all through.
Team: Robbie Murphy, Shane Kelliher, Dylan Casey, Donagh McMahon, Odhran Liston, Ciarán O’Reilly (0-2 – one free, one 45), Shane Walsh (Capt), David Fitzmaurice, Joseph O’Connor, Conor Lowe, Michael Linnane (0-1), Donagh McKivergan (0-2), Michael Slattery (0-1), Harry O’Callaghan, Gearóid Fitzgerald.
Subs used: Gearóid Sheehan (ht) (0-2), Harry O’Callaghan (45m) (0-1), Tomás Sheehy (58m).
We now play Dr. Crokes in the final following their win against Dingle (2-16 to 1-14) in the second semi final. We now understand that this final will not be played until after the Leaving Cert. Exams.
U17 FOOTBALL: This 9 a side competition will take place over three nights, commencing on this Wednesday (24th May). Eighteen teams divided into six groups of three will be participating at six different venues. We are in Group 1 together with Churchill and John Mitchels and our games will go ahead in Connolly Park.
In the first game we play John Mitchels at 7pm; The 2nd game, between ourselves and Churchill, goes ahead at 7.40pm and the 3rd and final game on Wednesday evening starts at 8.20pm between Churchill and Mitchels (games 12 minutes a half).
Teams will then be regrouped, depending on round 1 results, for the second night of competition (Monday, 29th May). The top teams from Night 2 will qualify for the semi finals and these semi finals and the final will be played on Night 3 (Friday 2ndJune).
And let us take this opportunity to congratulate Kerry (including our own Dylan Casey, Michael Slattery and Donagh McMahon) on their U17 Munster Final win over Cork last week (0-15 to 0-10).
CLUBHOUSE: As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties and Functions. Enquiries about Club Bookings should be made by contacting Harry Hynes at 087 2467286.
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 (15th May) Jackpot, worth €5,700, was not won. The numbers drawn were 1, 10, 15, 29. The €20 winners were: Doireann Ní Dhalaigh, c/o Rock Street PO; Tony McLoughlin and Ger MacNamara, both c/o Club Rockies; and Darragh O’Brien and David Dillon, both c/o The Club
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – John Cooke, Tralee and late of Portlaoise; Mary Williams, Caherina and late of Ballydunlea; Brendan Broderick, Oakpark Cross and late of London; and Michael (Big Mick) Moriarty, London and late of Caherina Cottages.
