SENIOR FOOTBALL: Ardfert 0-11 Austin Stacks 3-16.
We were three points ahead after five minutes with Fergal Ryan and Shane O’Callaghan (2) on target. We went further ahead with a pointed free by Darragh O’Brien and one from play by Fergal Ryan before Ardfert opened their account with two points in the 13th and 14th minutes. A minute later Michael O’Donnell got through for our first goal after taking a pass from Dale Counihan. Then Ardfert hit a purple patch with four unanswered points to cut the gap to two (1-5 to 0-6).
Shane O’Callaghan, in the 23rd minute, pointed for us, to be followed, a minute later, by our second goal of the game. This time Michael O’Donnell became the provider for Dale Counihan to slot to the net. Ferdia O’Brien and Jack O’Shea had a point each just before half time to leave us ahead by double scores at the break (2-8 to 0-7).
Ardfert put over the opening point of the second half but, in the space of two minutes, Pa McCarthy and Michael O’Donnell with one point each put us further ahead. Then in the 39th minute Ardfert pointed from a forty five. Darragh O’Brien and John Egan (Ardfert) traded points in the space of two minutes. Then points from Greg Horan and Fergal Ryan increased our lead to 2-13 to 0-10. Ferdia O’Brien scored out third goal after the Ardfert keeper made a great save from Pa McCarthy. Darragh O’Brien has a point from a free in the 51st minute and Michael O’Donnell and Shane O’Callaghan increased our lead before the finish.
It was good to see three young up-and-coming players making their Senior debuts – Gearóid Fitzgerald (his grandfather was one of the great Club players of his era – the late Kevin Barry), Michael O’Gara and Michael Linnane.
Team: Robbie Murphy, Barry Walsh, Conor Jordan, John Dennis, Pa McCarthy (0-1), Jack O’Shea (0-1), Ciarán O’Connell, Greg Horan (0-1), Michael O’Donnell (1-2), Theo Diggin, Darragh O’Brien (0-3), Fergal Ryan (0-3), Ferdia O’Brien (1-1), Shane O’Callaghan (0-4), Dale Counihan (1-0).
Subs used: Gearóid Fitzgerald (41), Michael O’Gara (48m), Michael Linnane (53m), Pa Fitzgibbon (55m).
Round 7 of the League goes ahead in Connolly Park at the weekend with a visit from Currow.
Our thanks to Tim Slattery for the above comprehensive report.
CONGRATULATIONS: to Club Footballer, Denis Costello and his partner, Jane Fitzgerald (the Junction Bar, Camp) on the recent birth of their baby daughter.
B FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 0-11; Valentia 0-14.
With one more round of games to play on this coming week-end Valentia kept their prospects of a promotion play-off very much alive with this hard-fought win in Connolly Park on a dry, calm Sunday afternoon (10th June). Three points was the winning margin at the end but on another day the visitors could easily have been five or six goals ahead what with numerous balls coming off the post and cross-bar and a host of brilliant saves all through the game by Seamus Bastible and some of his defenders.
We started well and were two points ahead after six minutes, courtesy of a TJ Hogan opener from play and a pointed free by Gearóid Sheehan. But Valentia responded well and by the 12th minute, with three unanswered points, took the lead for the first time. When Gearóid Sheehan equalised again a minute later from another free Valentia responded quickly with a point from play.
Both sides had three points each in the closing quarter of the first half – Gearóid Sheehan with two for the Rock and the third, a punched effort by Gearóid McCann. This left the visitors one point ahead at the break (0-7 to 0-6).
We equalized again two minutes after the resumption (another Gearóid Sheehan pointed free) but that was as close as it got for us as Valentia began to take control and went on to score another seven points in this half. With three minutes remaining they were five points ahead (0-14 to 0-9) when a Stacks penalty came off the post – the breaking ball was eventually put over by Gearóid Sheehan – and TJ Hogan, who scored the first point of the game inside the first minute, was on hand to score the last point of the game on the stroke of full-time – too little, too late for the home side.
Despite the defeat our lads played very well, including Hurler, Thomas Meehan who we think was playing his first football game at adult level – now we have a growing number of duel players – as well as Thomas we also had Eoghan McKivergan, Andrew Morrissey, and Gearóid McCann on the field today.
Team: Seamus Bastible, Eoghan Galvin, Eoghan McKivergan, James Quigley, Dean Scanlon, Andrew Morrissey (Capt), Seán Dukes (0-1), Paul Barrett (0-1), Joseph O’Connor, Anthony Shanahan, Gearóid Sheehan (0-6 – 4 frees), Joe Looby, TJ Hogan (0-2), Gearóid McCann (0-1), David Leonard.
Subs used: William Kirby (41m), Thomas Meehan (47m), Micko Horan (51m).
In the final round robin game of the League we travel cross-town to play Kerins O’Rahillys on this coming week-end for a non-event game for us.
SENIOR HURLING: We play Dr. Crokes at home in round 4 of the Co. League (Fri, 22nd June). The 5th and final round, away to O’Dorney, is fixed for Wednesday, 27th June.
MINOR FOOTBALL: The format has come to hand for the MF Co. Championship which, for us, gets underway on Tuesday week (26th June). There is one preliminary round involving Kerins O’Rahillys and Feale Rangers. If Rangers win this game then the way is clear for the Group Stage with 12 teams divided into four Groups. We will be in Group 4 along with Laune Rangers and Feale Rangers. However if Rahillys win their Preliminary round game then our Group 4 will comprise four teams – ourselves, Laune Rangers, Rahillys and Feale Rangers. The top two teams in each group will qualify for the Quarter Finals. The fixtures for the opening games in the group rounds have yet to come to hand as we write.
BEST WISHES: to Club Member, Tom Tansley who, we are glad to learn, is recovering well after a recent indisposition.
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 (4th June) Jackpot, worth €8,450, was not won. The numbers drawn were 7, 10, 26, 31. The €20 winners were: Gearóid McCann, Barry Shanahan, Kathy Irwin and Jody Charles, all c/o The Club; and Sarah Barry, c/o Barry’s Shop.
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 – Norma Walsh (nee Galvin), Tough, Adare and formerly Árd Na Lí (daughter of Áine and the late Tunny Galvin and niece of the Club’s former President, the late Fr. Micheál Galvin); Bridie Daly (nee Lawlor), Carrigeendaniel and formerly Ballyheigue; Anne Marie (Susie) Roche, O’Rahilly’s Villas and Allicante, London and Dublin; Elizabeth (Betty) Mansfield, Meadowlands and formerly Poulawaddra; Mary Lynch (nee O’Sullivan), Hawley Park and formerly Laharn, Castlemaine; John (Jackie) O’Connor, Kerins Park and formerly Church St., Castleisland; and Maura O’Neill (nee Lynch), The Point, Cahersiveen and formerly Railway Terrace, Tralee.
