SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 2-11; Listowel Emmets 1-7.
The final score-line did not really do justice to the performance of the visiting team in this round 9 Co. League game played in a damp Connolly Park on last Saturday evening (14th July). After a low-scoring first half Emmets went in at half time a point to the good (0-5 to 0-4). They were totally in command in the opening quarter, leading by three points to no score after 12 minutes.
It took us almost 17 minutes to register our first score – a pointed free by Darragh O’Brien. Darragh added another five minutes later before centre back, Ciarán O’Reilly got our first score from play in the 23rd minute. Emmets added two more points from frees with Darragh O’Brien adding one from play before the end of the half.
We had a far better start to the second half with Ferdia O’Brien at the end of a good move from the throw-in to score the first goal of the game and put us in the lead for the first time. But Listowel continued to compete and with two minutes of normal remaining there was still only four points between the sides. However a Joseph O’Connor goal finally put the game out of reach of the Listowel boys despite they adding a consolation goal deep in added time.
Joseph O’Connor, and Dylan Casey were making their first Co. League starts at Senior level and both played exceptionally well with Dylan also getting on the score sheet – putting over our last score of the game in the 62nd minute – coming up from his right full back position to do so. It was also Michael Slattery’s first Co. League game at Senior level – coming on as a second half substitute and he was very much involved in that good second half performance when we outscored the opposition by 2-7 to 1-2.
Team: Robbie Murphy, Dylan Casey (0-1), Barry Walsh, Denis Costello, Pa McCarthy, Ciarán O’Reilly (0-1), Ciarán O’Connell, Shane Guthrie (Capt), Greg Horan, Wayne Guthrie, Darragh O’Brien (0-6 – three frees), Joseph O’Connor (1-0), Ferdia O’Brien (1-1), Michael Collins (0-1), Fergal Ryan.
Subs used: Michael Slattery (ht), Shane Carroll (46m) (0-1), John Dennis (58), Gearóid Fitzgerald (58m).
Arguably, our two toughest matches are to come, against the two form teams of the campaign – Na Gaeil and Castleisland Desmonds. We are away to Na Gaeil in a fortnight’s time in what will be an historic one – our very first meeting at Senior level in the 48th season of the Co. League. The final round robin game will be at home to Castleisland Desmonds – a game which has been provisionally fixed for the w/e of 19th August.
B FOOTBALL: Dingle 1-13; Austin Stacks 1-4.
Our B team didn’t have any luck in Lispole on Saturday evening (14th July) when they lost to Dingle in the semi final of the Co. League (Div 5) Shield. Our scorers on the night were Brandon Patterson (1-0), Donagh McKivergan (0-3) and Danny Carroll (0-1)..
We now turn our thoughts to the Junior Town League which commences on this Wednesday evening (18th July) with an away trip to Ballymac for a 7.30pm start.
Our remaining four game are at home to John Mitchels (25th July, away to Na Gaeil (1st Aug), at home to Ardfert (8th Aug) and away to Kerins O’Rahillys (15th Aug). The top four teams qualify for the semi finals – 1st play 4th and 2nd play 3rd with 1st and 2nd having home venues. The final will then be played at a neutral venue. Date for the semi finals and final have yet to be fixed.
HURLING: St. Pats (East Kerry) 0-6; Austin Stacks 4-9.
On a glorious summer’s evening in Fossa last Wednesday (11th July) our Hurlers made it two wins out of two in the South Kerry League with a comfortable, if not spectacular, win against the home side. We led by double scores at half time (2-2 to 0-4) and had an even better second half, outscoring the opposition by 2-7 to 0-2. Paul Daly was easily the Man of the Match – scoring a hat trick of goals and four splendid points – two of them from sixty fives and one each from a free and from play.
Our fourth goal came on the stroke of full time from Andrew Foley who had missed the whole of last season through injury. Ciarán Breen also got on the score sheet, scoring three great points, coming up from his half back position. And our two remaining points came from two men who will always battle to the end – Danny McGuire and Peter O’Regan. Ger Scollard came on at half time for the injured Cillian O’Riordan – we wish Cillian a speedy recovery from what looked like a nasty hip injury – and Ger was most unlucky not to have scored a 5th goal but it was well saved by the St. Pats keeper. It’s hard to believe that this was the 29th season since Ger first played with a Stacks Adult Hurling team. His first game was during the 1990 season when he lined out with our Junior Hurling team against Crotta. Most people thought that Christy Ring’s 25 seasons (1939-1963) with the Cork SH team could never be surpassed. Is there anyone anywhere with such a record as Ger’s.
Team (13 a side): John Connelly, Kevin O’Leary, David Walsh, No Left Back, Ciarán Breen (0-3), Eoghan McKivergan, Andrew Foley (1-0), Andrew Morrissey (Capt), Cillian O’Riordan, Ronan Gilsenan, Paul Daly (3-4), Jason Conway, No Right Full, Danny McGuire (0-1), Peter O’Regan (0-1).
Sub used: Ger Scollard (ht).
We now have two more games to play, both against Duagh, the first at home on this Wednesday (18th July) and away on the following Wednesday (25th July). Throw in at 8pm each evening.
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.
All at the Cards were saddened last week to learn of the death of Richard Doran (see sympathy). For many years Richard was a regular at our Card nights each week.
LOTTO: Last week’s (9th July) Jackpot, worth €8,700, was not won. The numbers drawn were 8, 9, 15, 20. The €20 winners were: Deirdre Power and Gene O’Donnell, both c/o The Club; Jonathan Lynch, c/o The Bar; Fionn O’Regan, c/o Brendan O’Regan; and Batt Bastible, 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 – Mary Clifford, Tobar Naofa, Dean’s Lane and formerly Mitchel’s Avenue; Richard Doran, Casements Avenue (see Cards); Eleanor Knox (nee Gannon), Terenure (Dublin) and formerly Johnstown (Kilkenny) (sister of former Club Hurler, Jim Gannon); Marianne Walsh, Cloondara, Oakpark; and Mary Byrne (nee McCarthy), Páirc Na Dún, Mounthawk and formerly Raheny (Dublin).
