Austin Stacks GAA Club News

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THE LATE JOHNNY CARROLL: There was shock and sadness in the local community and beyond on last Tuesday afternoon (29th Aug) when news filtered through of the tragic death, in a road  accident, of Johnny Carroll.

The Doon man  was one of the great Kerry and Austin Stacks supporters down the years, rarely missing any games.

His other love was Greyhounds. He had many successes, especially in coursing. In 2010, for example, he trained a dog that was co-owned by current Club Chairman, Liam Lynch to win The Oaks.

He was a long-standing member of the Stacks 550 Greyhound Committee. Both his sons, Conor and Anthony, played football with the Club. Johnny himself was in Croke Park  last Saturday week for the Kerry .v. Mayo semi final replay and on arriving home that night he went straight to the Dome to support the Stacks Fundraiser, Strictly Come Dancing – a real true Rockie.

Rarely  have we witnessed such a large guard of honour that accompanied the funeral as it made its way from Hogan’s Funeral Home to St. Brendan’s Church on Friday evening last, representing many walks of life, including the Farming Community, Lee Strand Co-Op, the Greyhound Industry, the Kerry Supporters and the Rock Club.

As the cortege left the Church at twenty five minutes past mid-day on Saturday the rain fell heavily but it didn’t prevent another huge group of mourners from accompanying the funeral to Rath Cemetery.

We extend sincere sympathy to Johnny’s family and friends, including his wife Mary, sons Conor and Anthony, daughters Caroline and Marie, brother Michael and sisters Sister Breda, Josephine and Teresa.

SYMPATHY:  Sincere sympathy is also offered to the families of the following who died recently – John (Jack) Keady, Liosdara, Oakpark and formerly of Spiddal; Patrick Doody Moriarty, St. Joseph’s Estate, Spa Rd. ; and Eamon McSweeney, Lisbeg, Oakpark and formerly Listowel.

SENIOR FOOTBALL: Rathmore 1-16; Austin Stacks 2-10.

This 11th and final round of the Co. League played in Rathbeg on yesterday afternoon ended in a three points win for the home side.

However it wasn’t enough for the Rathmore boys to progress to the final as An Ghaeltacht also won their last game which puts the West Kerry side into the final against Dr. Crokes.

We had a brilliant start and a brilliant finish to the game with Greg Horan, just back from the States, central to all that.

The game was just twenty seconds old when he put over the first point. And it was Greg’s two late goals – the second from a penalty – in the 58th and 61st minutes that put a respectable look on the score board.

We trailed at half time by 1-11 to 0-5 and during the second half, before those two goals, both sides had tagged on a further five points each.

David Mannix scored five during the hour, to bring his total, so far, for the season to 1-89 (92), more than twice ahead of the next on the Scorers Table. Mikey Collins, with two points, was active all through and Michael O’Donnell and Denis Costello also took their scores well.

Team: David Hennessy, Denis Costello (0-1), Colin Griffin, Ronan Shanahan, Pa McCarthy, Daniel Bohan, John Murphy, Shane Carroll, Shane Guthrie (Capt), Seán Ryan, Greg Horan (2-1 – one penalty goal), Fiachna Mangan, David Mannix (0-5 – two frees), Alan Duggan, Michael Collins (0-2).

Subs used: Paul Galvin (ht), Darragh Scanlon (ht), Wayne Guthrie (ht), Michael O’Donnell (ht) (0-1), Jack Morgan (50m), Seamus Bastible (50m).

The Co. Championship resumes in nineteen day’s time with the quarter finals going ahead as a double header in Austin Stack Park on the Saturday (23rdSept) and in Fitzgerald Stadium on the Sunday (24th Sept).

First up on the Saturday is the Kerins O’Rahillys .v. East Kerry game at 4pm followed by the Stacks .v. West Kerry game at 5.45pm.

Then on the Sunday it’s Dr. Crokes .v. Kenmare Shamrocks at 1.30pm followed by the Rathmore .v South Kerry game at 3.15pm. Extra time will apply in all four games if required.

B FOOTBALL: Our 12th and final game of this season’s Co. League (Div 5), against Ballylongford, did not go ahead at the weekend as it was of no consequence to either side with Bally having already secured the necessary points to promote them to Division 4 for the next season, along with Cordal. A play-off between Rathmore B and Cromane will decide the third team to be promoted.

We are due to play Na Gaeil in the Junior Town League Final but no date has been fixed as we write.

MINOR FOOTBALL: Our Minors are due to play Laune Rangers in semi final of the Central League on this Monday evening (4th Sept). The game, in Killorglin, is fixed for 7pm. Check Club website for report.

CONGRATULATIONS: to  Eoin Colgan and his wife Noelle on the recent birth of a baby girl named Grace. Adrienne McLoughlin, who broke the news to us, asks the question ‘will Grace be a Rockette or a Mitchelite’. Only time will tell.

Congratulations also to David Leonard and Lucie Hanrahan on the recent birth of their new baby named Ruby.

And every success  to David and Lucie who have just embarked on  a new business venture – the opening of a coffee shop named ‘The Ugly Mug’ – located just on the town side of Edward Street Post Office.

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 (28th August) Jackpot, worth €6,450, was not won. The numbers drawn were 6, 12, 16, 24. The €20 winners were: John Slattery, c/o The Club; Violet Leen, c/o Rock Street Post Office; Helen Foran, c/o Carmel O’Neill; Pat Joe McQuinn, c/o Club Rockies; and Brian Tess, c/o Richard Healy.

Tickets are on regular sale at the Rock Street Post Office and at the Stacks Clubhouse as well as from the other usual outlets.

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