Austin Stacks GAA Club News

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CLUB GYM: A new security system will be implemented at Austin Stacks Club Gym from July 14th 2018.  All existing gym fobs will be defunct on that date.  For important details re obtaining a new gym fob see www.austinstacks.ie.

SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 4-17; Currow 2-11.

We made it six wins out of seven in this high-scoring Co. League game in Connolly Park on Saturday evening (16th June). We opened the scoring in the 2nd minute with a goal and finished the first half also with a goal – both scored by corner forward, Fergal Ryan.  And we scored our remaining two goals deep in added time in the second half, both by Darragh O’Brien. Did Darragh create a record here. His first goal came after 62m and 27 seconds with the second coming on 62m and 49 seconds – that’s just 22 seconds between both goals. Did that ever happen before in any field of play?

The winning margin of 12 points did not do justice to the performance by the Currow boys who were level on two occasions during the first half and trailed by just three points ten minutes into the second half (2-10 to 1-10). We led at half time by 2-7 to 0-8.

But they seemed to tire somewhat in the final quarter while we were more consistent all through with eight of our starting 15 getting on the score sheet and the whole bench getting a run during the second half, including Joseph O’Connor who was playing his first Senior game of the season (he did make his debut in June of last year).

Team: Pa Fitzgibbon, Barry Walsh, Jack O’Shea (0-1), John Dennis, Pa McCarthy, Greg Horan (0-1), Ciarán O’Connell, Shane Guthrie (Capt), Michael O’Donnell (0-3), Wayne Guthrie, Darragh O’Brien (2-4 – three frees), Shane Carroll (0-1), Ferdia O’Brien (0-3), Shane O’Callaghan (0-3), Fergal Ryan (2-1).

Subs used: Gearóid Fitzgerald (44m), Dylan Casey (47m), Joseph O’Connor (54m), Michael O’Gara (54m), Andrew Morrissey (57m), Michael Linnane (57m).

With both the Kerry Minors and Seniors involved in their respective Munster Finals in Páirc Uí Chaoimh (their first visit to the Cork venue since July 2014) on next Saturday evening (23rd June) there is a break in Club competitions until the following weekend (w/e 30thJune). On that week-end we are due to travel to Milltown for our round 8 Co. League game In the meantime we wish the Kerry Minors (including Seán Quilter) and Seniors (including Ronan Shanahan and Kieran Donaghy) the best of luck on Saturday evening.

All in the Senior team, in the Club in general and in the local community offer sincere sympathy to goalkeeper, Robbie Murphy and his family on the death, during the week, of his father, Robert. Prior to the game a Minute’s Silence was observed as a mark of respect for the late Robert. (See Sympathy column).

 

B FOOTBALL: Kerins O’Rahillys 1-6; Austin Stacks 2-14.

This was as good a display of football as we have witnessed in a long time as we wound up the round robin stage of the Co. League in Strand Road on yesterday afternoon (17th June).  Going into the game we were fully aware that the win would not involve us in the forthcoming play-offs for promotion – we barely missed out on this, coming 5th in the table (the first four teams go through to the qualifiers). However we will be involved in the Division 5 Shield (a straight knock-out, involving seven teams) and without getting official confirmation it looks from the final League Tables of Groups A and B that we will have a bye in Quarter Final One while the other three quarter finals will involve Kerins O’Rahillys .v. Dingle; Sneem/Derrynane .v. Kilgarvan; and Rathmore .v. Knocknagoshel.

However, back to to-day’s game. It looked from early on that we meant business as we were playing with total focus, very confident on the ball, holding up play until a colleague was in a good position to take a pass and making some brilliant runs off the ball and with the ball. We were five points up after nine minutes – all from play – two each from Donagh McKivergan and Michael O’Gara and the fifth from centre-back, Dylan Casey. Rahillys first point came in the 12th minute but was followed immediately by our first goal of the day. The move was started by Paul Galvin and ended up with Michael Linnane’s perfect pass across goal for David Leonard to tap to the net. The home side, however, responded well with a point and then a goal to leave us ahead by three at the end of the first quarter (1-5 to 1-2).

We dominated the second quarter, defending superbly, to hold the opposition to just one more point during this period while putting over four more ourselves – two more by Michael O’Gara (one from a free) and one each by Gearóid Sheehan and Joseph O’Connor. This left us six points clear at the break (1-9 to 1-3).

We were equally as dominant in the second half – scoring a further 1-5 to 0-3 for the opposition. Our opener in this period came after just one minute from a brilliant solo effort by Dylan Casey who made his way up field to put over a beauty. Gearóid McCann who, along with Joseph O’Connor, had a super game at mid-field, put over our second. Points from play were then followed by Michael O’Gara and David Leonard. Theo Diggin then put over from a free after Michael O’Gara was fouled and Michael was also involved in the last score of the game, putting Joseph O’Connor through for our second goal in the 58th minute.

All 18 who lined out could be in line for a Man of the Match Award if there was one but Michael O’Gara’s performance was simply superb. For the whole hour he ran the length and breath of the pitch, looking for passes and linking with his colleagues when in better positions and ended up chief scorer on the day with five brilliant points – four of them from play. It was good to see Podge Looney back in action after the long-term injury he suffered last year and he played very well also. And it was also good to see John Murphy on the line – very close to being ready for action after the injury he picked up last February while playing with the Seniors.

 

Team: Pa Fitzgibbon, Paul Galvin, Eoghan McKivergan, James Quigley, Dean Scanlon, Dylan Casey (0-2), Andrew Morrissey (Capt), Gearóid McCann (0-1), Joseph O’Connor (1-1), Michal O’Gara (0-5 – one free), Gearóid Sheehan (0-1), Podge Looney, Donagh McKivergan (0-2), David Leonard (1-1), Michael Linnane..

Subs used: Theo Diggin (ht) (0-1 free), Seamus Bastible (42m), Eoghan Galvin (56m).

SENIOR HURLING: The 5th and final round of the Co. League is away to O’Dorney on next Wednesday week (27th June) at 7.30pm.

MINOR FOOTBALL: This season’s MF Co. Championship will run off on a round robin basis. There are four groups with three teams in each group with the top two teams in each group qualifying for the knock-out quarter finals. We are in Group 4 along with Laune Rangers and Feale Rangers. Actual fixtures have yet to come to hand as we write.

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 (11th June) Jackpot, worth €8,500, was not won. The numbers drawn were 14, 18, 23,  28. The €20 winners were: David Leonard, Peggy O’Sullivan, Annette Carmody and Tony McLoughlin, all c/o The Club; and Paudie Barrett, 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 – Robert Murphy, Ballyseedy (father of Senior Club Footballer, Robbie); Ailbe Lonergan, Balloonagh Estate and formerly Kevin Barry’s Villas; and Ernie Lehane, Connolly Park and formerly Pembroke Street (father of former Club Footballer, Ernie (Bo).

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