LIBRARY EXHIBITION: Aptly titled – Ag Féachaint Siar – this Photographic Exhibition, highlighting the events organized by the Club during 2017 to commemorate its Centenary, will be launched in Tralee Library on Tuesday evening (20th Feb) by Club Chairman, Liam Lynch.
A marvellous Exhibition, organized almost single-handedly by Club Vice Chairperson, Máiréad Fernane, it will continue for the next few weeks (to 3rd March) and can be visited by everyone at any time during normal Library hours.
SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-16; John Mitchels 2-4.
A fourth win out of four and with only one more round to play (away to Ardfert on Sunday next – 25th Feb) qualified us for the Town League final after a nine points victory away to John Michels on last Friday night (16th Feb).
After very heavy rain all that afternoon and evening it was a credit to the Mitchels pitch that the game could have gone ahead at all – in fact there were three games played on the pitch that night from 7pm to some time after 11.
Although the pitch was heavy both sides performed skillfully all through. We led by six points at half time (0-9 to 0-3) but the home side had reduced that deficit to three as the game entered the final quarter (0-12 to 2-3).
But the work done by Wayne, Damien and colleagues really came to light in that final quarter when we outscored the opposition by 1-4 to 0-1.
Again Wayne used his bench. Great to see Denis McElligott, Seán Ryan and Barry Walsh making their first appearances of the season. And also to good to see Eoghan Galvin making his Senior debut, even though he has played many times with the B team.
Team: Barry Galvin, Colin Griffin, Conor Jordan, Denis Costello, Pa McCarthy, Jack O’Shea, Shane Walsh, Shane Guthrie (Capt), Michael O’Donnell (0-2 – one free), Denis McElligott, Darragh O’Brien (0-5), Fergal Ryan (0-1), Ferdia O’Brien (1-4), David O’Sullivan (0-2), Dale Counihan (0-1).
Subs used: Seán Ryan (38m), Barry Walsh (49m), David Fitzmaurice (55m) (0-1), Donagh McKivergan (55m), Paul Galvin (57m), Eoghan Galvin (59m).
The 5th and final round game, away to Ardfert, is fixed for next Sunday (25th Feb) at 12.30pm, but with Kerry playing Galway in the Austin Stack Park in round 4 of the NFL, throwing in at 2pm/2.30pm, our game may be altered. Keep in touch with our Website for any updates.
MINOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 2-12; Laune Rangers 1-8.
Our Minors began the defense of their Co. League title (they defeated Dr. Crokes in last year’s Final by 3-13 to 0-13) with a good home win on a dry Saturday evening last (17th Feb). The winning margin of seven points might indicate a comfortable victory but the Killorglin boys missed at least three ‘sitters’ in the second half which, if converted, would have made for an interesting finish.
We had a brilliant start to the game, going three points up inside the first seven minutes. Michael Slattery pointed a free after forty two seconds following a foul on Dean Scanlon. Then the alert Slatts pounced on the wayward kick-out and put over his second.
The third point came from a brilliant solo effort from centre back, Dylan Casey in the 7th minute. The visitors put over the next two points, both from frees with ten minutes on the clock.
Then in the next four minutes we got back on track – first with a lovely point from wing back, Eoghan Carroll, followed by a super goal.
The move was started by Dara Barry Walsh who linked well with David Couchman, who put Dean Scanlon through and Dean’s perfect pass found Michael Slattery who netted. Then on the 15th minute Seán Quilter put over a free after Eoghan Carroll was fouled.
Scores were rather scarce in the second quarter – just three in total – two for Rangers and a solitary point for us, a long-ranged effort in the 24thminute, again from Seán Quilter. This left us with a five points lead at the break (1-6 to 0-4).
We continued to dominate the second half – extending our lead to seven points with six minutes of normal time remaining (1-12 to 0-8).
Our six points during this 24 minute period came from six different players – David Couchman, Adam Curran, Dean Scanlon, Michael Slattery (free), Seán Quilter and Gearóid Fitzgerald who was just over a minute on the pitch when he scored.
The closing six minutes or so produced two more scores, both goals – the first to Laune Rangers in the 24th minute with our one coming a minute later – finished off by Gearóid Fitzgerald again.
It was good to see Gearóid making his first appearance of the season, along with Seán Quilter who had been involved with Tralee CBS.
Team: David Oba, Luke Chester, Donagh McMahon, Jack McGrath, Dara Barry Walsh, Dylan Casey (Capt) (0-1), Eoghan Carroll (0-1), David Couchman (0-1), Seán Carmody, Seán Quilter (0-3 – one free), Daniel O’Rourke, Dean Scanlon (0-1), Conor Myers, Michael Slattery (1-3 – two frees), Adam Curran (0-1),
Subs used: Gearóid Sheehan (23m), Craig Teahan (38m), Gearóid Fitzgerald (51m) (1-1).
It’s now back to Town League duty with a round 3 game away to John Mitchels on Sunday next (25th Feb) at 12.30pm. Like our Senior game this fixture might also be changed to avoid a clash with Kerry’s NFL game. Then our next three games will be in the Co. League – Dr. Crokes away (3rdMarch), Cordal/Scartaglin away (10th March), and Killarney Legion at home (Monday, 19th March
HURLING: Our thanks to the many members of our Hurling squad who, along with some dedicated work by Club Chairman Liam Lynch during the past few weeks, have ensured playing activity for the coming season.
And the first fixtures for that season have just come to hand – our Division 2A programme in the Co. League is as follows – R1 away to Ballyheigue (30th May); R2 at home to Kenmare (3rd June); R3 away to Kilgarvan (13th June); R4 at home to Dr. Crokes (22nd June); and R5 away to Abbeydorney (27th June).
CLOTHES COLLECTION: Austin Stacks GAA Club’s Fundraising Clothes Recycling Collection takes place on Sat March 10th. GET COLLECTING NOW! We will accept: Men’s, Women’s & Children’s Clothing, Household Textiles i.e. Curtains & Towels, Soft toys, Shoe, Handbags, Belts. We cannot accept duvets or pillows. All items must be clean & dry and can be dropped to the Clubhouse Connolly Park between 10am and 12 pm on Saturday March 10th.
SCÓR: Congratulations to our representatives in the Senior Scòr Tralee area finals which took place last weekend. We were winners in 2 events: Set Dancing (John Flynn, Bernie Mannix, Eamon O Reilly, Tracey Williams, Mike Hurley, Helen Enright, Tadgh Meehan & Joan Casey) & Recitation (Mary Barry) and now advance to the Co Finals on this Saturday (Feb 24th). Well done to all.
Those Co. Finals will take place in Castleisland (Scoil Mhuire gan Smál) commencing at 6pm.
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 (12th February) Jackpot, worth €7,650, was not won. The numbers drawn were 8, 15; 21, 25. The €20 winners were: Seamus Leahy and Ann O’Dowd, both c/o Rock Street Post Office; John Joe O’Sullivan, c/o Club Rockies; and Paudie Healy and John & Helen Rowan, both c/o The Club.
Tickets are on regular sale at the Rock Street Post Office and at the Stacks Clubhouse, as well as from our other regular sellers.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is also offered to the families of the following who died during the past week – Eileen O’Sullivan, Connolly Park and formerly Stack’s Villas; Eileen Hill (nee Fitzgerald), Lohercannon and formerly Cappagh, Brandon (Aunt-in-Law of former Club Footballers, Ian and Ger Hill); and Bridget (Maureen) Walsh, Old Golf Links Road, Oakpark and formerly Ballintobeenig.
