SENIOR FOOTBALL: Round 5 of the Co. League, against Piarsaigh Na Dromoda, goes ahead in Connolly Park on next Saturday evening (26th May) at 7pm.
This will be the second ever meeting in the Co. League between the two Clubs. The first and only time we met was back in 2004 when both sides were in Division 1. On that day (24th July) in Connolly Park we had a comfortable win over the South Kerry side (3-14 to 0-8).
Team: David Hennebery, Nessan Crean, Kenneth Leen, Brian Dennehy, Tommy Costello, Pa Laide, Paul Hennebery, Wayne Quillinan, Kieran Donaghy (0-2), Jonathan Magnier, Billy Sheehan (0-3), Denis Sayers (0-1), Michael Hogan (0-6 – one free), Darragh Long (1-1), Pádraig McCannon (2-0). Subs used: Martin McKivergan (40m), Billy Curtin (41m), Alan Sheehan (43m) (0-1), Jonathan Conway (49m). Management Team: Billy Curtin, Owen Moynihan, John Joe Sugrue and Mikey Sheehy.
B FOOTBALL: Our B team will also be on duty at the week-end in their round 5 Co. League game away to co-table toppers, Churchill. The game is fixed for Sunday afternoon (27th May) at 2pm.
MINOR FOOTBALL: Minor Co League Div 1 Final FT Austin Stacks 2-10 Laune Rangers 3-11
Last Saturday night our minors took on Laune Rangers in the Minor Co. League Div 1 final and were well fancied to defend their title. Laune Rangers however had other ideas . . .
Stacks started well and had 2 points on the scoreboard (point from play by Michael Slattery & a free by Sean Quilter) before Laune Rangers struck for their 1st goal of the evening. Rangers followed up with 3 well taken points from play before Daniel O’Rourke won a close in free for Stacks which Michael Slattery duly converted.
Laune Rangers were dominating and scored 2 more points (one from play and one free) to leave the scores Austin Stacks 0-3 Laune Rangers 1-5 after 17 minutes. Stacks then introduced substitutes Gearoid Sheehan and David Couchman .
We were into the 27th minute of the 1st half when Michael Slattery found the ball out on the end line and weaved his way through the Rangers defence to find Gearóid Fitzgerald who was on hand to punch the ball to the net.
This was quickly followed up by the best Stacks move of the match when Donagh Mc Mahon burst out of defence, found the unmarked Gearóid Sheehan who slipped a beautiful pass to Michael Slattery before Michael passed to the on-running Conor Myers who made no mistake and scored our 2nd goal. A score which brought us right back into the game as the half time whistle blew HT Austin Stacks 2-3 Laune Rangers 1-7.
The 2nd half started with a point scored from a difficult angel by Michael Slattery after a quick free by Gearoid Fitzgerald. Laune Rangers responded with a point from play.
A misplaced sideline kick was won back by Michael Slattery who again found Conor Myers who kicked a good point from play. Laune Rangers chipped in with a point but Stacks were now in the ascendancy and kicked three more unanswered points from play (Michael O’Gara, Michael Slattery and Daniel O’Rourke).
With 8 minutes left on the clock the score line read Austin Stacks 2-8 (14) Laune Rangers 1-9 (12). Laune Rangers converted a close range free to bring the game back to a point and into the melting pot once more.
The pivotal score of the game came in the 55th minute when Laune Rangers got in for their 2nd goal of the evening which was palmed to the net by Shane Doona following a great run by Gearoid Hassett. Another point from play by Laune Rangers was cancelled out by a free converted by Michael Slattery.
Laune Rangers had a 2 point lead at the 60th minute and with 4 minutes of injury time to be played Stacks now came in search of the all elusive goal.
Our defence was stretched as we threw caution to the wind and raced up the field in search of a winner but the match was wrapped up when Rangers broke that attack down and finding miles of open space in front of them man of the match Gearoid Hassett struck for their 3rd goal of the evening in the 62nd minute.
A consolation point for Stacks was scored by Gearóid Fitzgerald before referee Tom Moriarty blew for full time to the delight of the Laune Rangers players and supporters.
Congratulations to Laune Rangers who will celebrate this important win for their club. They last won the Minor Co. League Div 1 title back in 1998 and so this along with their U14 Div 1 Féile victory a few weeks ago bodes very well for the future of the famous Mid Kerry club.
Hard luck to our team who have trained so hard over many months, there will without doubt be better days ahead for this very talented bunch of players. Best of luck to our Leaving & Junior Cert students in the upcoming exams.
After the game the joint captains Donagh McMahon & Dylan Casey presented Kaito Ikeuchi with a Stacks tracksuit from the players as he will be shortly returning to Japan with many fond memories of his year in Tralee playing for the club.
Team: Ben Quilter, James Quigley, Donagh Mc Mahon, Eoghan Carroll, Dara Barry Walsh, Dylan Casey, Adam Curran, Michael O’Gara (0-1), Sean Quilter (0-1 free), Sean Carmody, Daniel O’Rourke (0-1), Dean Scanlon, Conor Myers (1-1), Gearóid Fitzgerald (1-1), Michael Slattery (0-5 – 2 frees) , David Oba, David Couchman (for Dean Scanlon), Gearóid Sheehan (for Sean Carmody), Jack Mc Grath, Tom O’Farrell, Craig Teahan, Luke Chester, Niall Fitzmaurice, Joe Looby, Danny Draghici, David Burke, Charlie Curran, Kaito Ikeuchi, Padraig Linnae.
Thanks to our Minor Team Mentors Darragh Long, Mikey Collins, David Mannix, Paudie Mc Quinn, David Scanlon & Ger Mannix.
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
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 (14th May) Jackpot, worth €8,300, was not won. The numbers drawn were 8, 19, 23, 24. The €20 winners were: Tom Diggins, c/o Rock Street Post Office; Michael Naughton and Graham O’Leary, both c/o Carmel O’Neill; Michael J. Lynch, c/o Club Rockies; and Dinny O’Regan, 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 offered to the families of the following who died recently – Kevin Horan, Fountain Court and formerly St. John’s Park (brother of Micko and uncle of Greg and Conor, current Club Footballers); Robert McEvoy, Balloonagh Estate and formerly Hawley Park; Monica O’Sullivan (nee Fitzgerald), Castle Demesne and formerly Ballybunion (mother of current Club Footballer, David),
