Austin Stacks GAA Club News

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SENIOR FOOTBALL: Glenflesk 0-7; Austin Stacks 1-13.

This round 4 Co. League game played at a dry and sunny Barraduff on Saturday evening (12th May) produced some brilliant passages of football from both sides. The final score-line didn’t really do justice to the home side who looked dangerous every time they went on the attack but our defence was superb once they came to grips with a rather shaky start which saw Glenflesk go into an early four points lead. They led by four points to no score after seven minutes but we held them to just one more point between then and half time while we put over nine – David Mannix unerring from four frees, Shane Carroll pointing two (one from a free) and one each from play by Darragh O’Brien, Shane O’Callaghan and Michael O’Donnell. This left us with four points to spare at the break (0-9 to 0-5).

Like the first half the home side had a good start to the second half also – scoring two points inside the first seven minutes. But that was all they scored during this second half while we tagged on a further 1-4. Our goal came in the 42nd minute when Shane O’Callaghan’s shot across the goalmouth was tapped into the net by the ever-vigilant Ferdia O’Brien. David Mannix scored three more points, all from play with Greg Horan putting over one.

It was great to see Robbie Murphy making his Senior debut and what a performance he put in – making a number of brilliant saves throughout the hour, including one superb effort right at the start of the second half. It was also good to see Wayne Guthrie back in action after a long absence. It was Wayne’s first game this season and he looked as sharp as if he was never away.

Team: Robbie Murphy, Colin Griffin, Conor Jordan, Denis Costello, Seán Ryan, Jack O’Shea, Ciarán O’Reilly, Shane Guthrie (Capt), Michael O’Donnell (0-1), Wayne Guthrie, Darragh O’Brien (0-1), Shane Carroll (0-2 – one free), David Mannix (0-7 – four frees), Shane O’Callaghan (0-1), Ferdia O’Brien (1-0).

Subs used: Greg Horan (38m) (0-1), Fergal Ryan (52m), David Fitzmaurice (53m), Darragh Scanlon (56m), Dale Counihan (58m), Barry Walsh (59m).

The win puts us second on the League Table on 6 points, two behind Desmonds who head the table as the only Club with four wins out of four. There is still one back game to be played – the Na Gaeil .v. Currow game – and if Na Gaeil wins this they would leap-frog us into second spot.

Our next game will be in round 5 of the Co. League when Piarsaigh Na Dromoda visit us in Connolly Park on the week-end after next (w/e 27th May).

B FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 0-9; Scartaglin 2-13

Our B team’s 4th round Co. League game at home  to table-toppers, Scartaglin on yesterday afternoon (13th May) did not go to plan. After two good wins in our opening rounds we now have lost our last two games.

On this occasion we started well with wing-back, Darragh Scanlon putting over a long-distant effort inside the second minute. Scart equalized a minute later and then in the 9th minute they capitalized on a defensive error to score the first of their two goals. We recovered somewhat from that – scoring three more points in the next ten minutes to just one for the opposition. Good work by Barry Walsh led to the first of these points, put over beautifully by Theo Diggin. Our other two come from William Kirby and Seamus Bastible. The visitors then took control and added four more points in quick succession which was followed by our firth point of the game close to half time – a pointed free by Alan Duggan. This left Scart four points clear at half time (1-6 to 0-5).

They added two more points straight after the resumption before Alan Duggan put over from play in the 36th minute. Then, a minute later, this game was put out of our reach when the opposition goaled from a penalty. For the rest of the half Scart scored four more points to three for us – another Theo Diggin point from play and two more from Alan Duggan frees.

It was good to see Ciarán O’Connell making his come-back after being out injured for fourteen months – his last game was out in Rathmore on the 12th March 2017. And mention of Ciarán it’s great to see his father, Noel, out and about again and attending matches after his recent procedure.

Team: Gearóid McCann, Andrew Morrissey (Capt), John Dennis, Paul Galvin, Darragh Scanlon (0-1), Barry Walsh, Conor Lowe, Cathal O’Reilly, David Fitzmaurice, Theo Diggin (0-2), Dale Counihan, Alan Duggan (0-4 – three frees), Donagh McKivergan, William Kirby (0-1), Seamus Bastible (0-1).

Subs used: Shane Kelliher (35m), Fergal Ryan (41m), Harry O’Callaghan (52m), Ciaran O’Connell (52m), Eoghan Galvin (57m).

Our B team will also be on duty on the week-end after next in their round 5 Co. League game with an away trip to co-table toppers, Churchill.

MINOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 2-16; Cordal/Scartaglin 0-5.

We qualified for our third Co. League Final  in succession with a comfortable semi final win in ideal weather conditions in Connolly Park on last Friday evening (11th May). When we met the same opposition in the earlier round robin game we were very lucky to come out with a one point win. The fact that we won so easily on this occasion was partly due to the fact that Cordal/Scart were missing two key players from the earlier round. But we also have to say that our lads were brilliant on the evening. And this included the six subs who were introduced during the second half – all six could equally have started, not to mention the other players who couldn’t get a run during the game.

We led by 1-12 to 0-2 at half time and added a further 1-4 (to 0-3 for the opposition) during the second half. Our goals came in each half – after eight minutes of play by Gearóid Fitzgerald and half way through the second half by David Couchman who was only on the pitch for five minutes at that stage.

Seán Quilter, after his exploits with the Kerry Minors three days previously, put over three super first half points from forty fives.

In the second semi final Laune Rangers came from eight points down at half time to defeat Dr. Crokes in their home patch by 3-13 to 1-13. So they will be a tough nut to crack in the Final, even if we did have a good win against them when we met in the earlier round (2-12 to 1-8).

Team: Ben Quilter, James Quigley, Donagh McMahon, Eoghan Carroll, Dara Barry Walsh, Dylan Casey (Capt) (0-3), Adam Curran (0-1), Seán Quilter (0-4 – three forty fives), Michael O’Gara, Dean Scanlon, Michael Slattery (0-3 – 2 frees), Seán Carmody, Conor Myers (0-3), Gearóid Fitzgerald (1-1), Daniel O’Rourke (0-1).

Subs used: David Couchman (40m) (1-0), Gearóid Sheehan (44m), Luke Chester (47m), Jack McGrath (48m), Tom O’Farrell (52m), Niall Fitzmaurice (55m).

As we write the final, against Laune Rangers, has been fixed for next Saturday evening (19th May) in Austin Stack Park. Throw-in at 7pm with extra time if required.

JOB MATCH: is back for 2018 – Summer, Part Time & Full Time Employment Opportunities.  With huge success for the last 3 years we are now taking CV’s for Summer, part time and full time employment or a change of 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

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS: to one of the Club’s all time greats – the one and only Paddy Whack Moriarty. He still looks only 40. But he tells us he has just become a pensioner – . Come on Paddy – give us a break. He claims he was 66 on the 5th of May last. They say it’s a sin to tell a lie. Just go up around the corner to Fr. Pádraig and he will forgive you that sin Paddy.

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 (7th May) Jackpot, worth €8,250, was not won. The numbers drawn were 16, 23, 24, 29. The €20 winners were: John O’Connor and Brian Ferris, both c/o Carmel O’Neill; Michael Quinlan, c/o The Club; and Eamon Linnane and Pat Reidy, both c/o Club Rockies.

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 offered to the families of the following who died recently – Eamon O’Brien, O’Rahillys Villas; Johnny Baily, Donnybrook (Dublin) and formerly Ballyard and Florida; Martha Brassil, Caherslee; and Pat Joe Kearney, Manor West and formerly Cloghers, Ardfert.

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