SENIOR FOOTBALL: Na Gaeil 1-8; Austin Stacks 1-14.
This historic meeting in Killeen on Saturday evening (28th July), in the 10th and penultimate round of the Co. League, saw us win our ninth Co. League game in a row and we have to go back to 1982 to encounter a similar happening.
The win also propels us back to Division 1 after just one year in the second tier. On the last two occasions we were in Division 2 it took us two seasons (1999-2000) and three seasons (2008-2010) to get back up to the premier division. And the other week-end results mean that we go up as Division 2 Champions.
Even though we had six points to spare at the end this match was in the balance for most of the hour. The sides were level at half time (Na Gaeil 1-5; Stacks 0-8) and we were just three ahead (1-11 to 1-8) with two minutes of normal time remaining.
But we finished the stronger adding three more points in the closing seven minutes (there was five minutes of additional time) to continue with that winning streak.
While it wasn’t our best performance of the season, nonetheless all 17 who lined out contributed in no small way to the victory, including Michael Slattery who was making his first Co. League start (he did make his Co. League debut when coming on as sub in our last game against Listowel Emmets) and Fiachna Mangan who was making his first appearance of the season after spending the earlier part of the year down under (see next item).
The O’Brien brothers were again on fire scoring ten of our 14 points between them (Darragh with seven and Ferdia with three).
But the score that really put us on the road to victory came 11 minutes into the second half when Shane O’Callaghan was at the end of a brilliant Stacks move to finish to the net for our only goal of the game which put us three points clear at that stage (1-9 to 1-6).
But we had to defend superbly all through the game against a very good Na Gaeil side whose performance on the day showed why they have had a very good season and could still be contenders for promotion with one more round to play.
Team: Robbie Murphy, Denis Costello, Barry Walsh, Dylan Casey, Pa McCarthy, Jack O’Shea, Ciarán O’Reilly, Wayne Guthrie (0-2), Greg Horan, Shane Carroll, Darragh O’Brien (0-7 – three frees, one forty five), Joseph O’Connor (0-1), Michael Slattery, Shane O’Callaghan (1-1), Ferdia O’Brien (0-3).
Subs used: Fiachna Mangan (ht), David Fitzmaurice (55m).
In the final round, which has been fixed for the weekend of 19th August, we are at home to Castleisland Desmonds. In the meantime the draw for this season’s Co. Championship is to be made on this Monday evening live on Radio Kerry (see Club Website for details).
WORLD CUP PREDICTOR: Fiachna Mangan returned from his stint in the southern hemisphere €500 the richer by scooping our FIFA World Cup Predictor prize. The almost veteran Stacks forward saw off a field of 160 competitors to take the competition by a staggering 88pts with a total of 800 pts.
The top 10 in the competition were (1) Fiachna Mangan; (2) Tom Lyons; (3) Gillian Lynch; (4) Kevin Healy; (5) Timmy Sheehan; (6) Evan Healy; (7) David Varley; (8) Martin Courtney; (9) John Fox and (10) Brian Morgan.
Thanks again to all who took part in the competition and who contributed to the €1000 that was raised for club funds.
B FOOTBALL: Our round 2 (of 5) Town League game against John Mitchels did not go ahead as scheduled last week.
U21 FOOTBALL: Dingle 0-14; Austin Stacks 2-7 (13).
On a beautiful summers evening (Tues 24th July) i nDaingean Uí Chúis we just came up short to a very good Dingle side in round one of the U21 Co. Championship. Wayne Quillinan and John O’Sullivan from our Senior Selectors and Darragh Long from our Minor Selectors took charge of our U21s and could have come home winners but for a brilliant defensive performance by the home side, especially in the last quarter.
Dingle started well and led by five points to no score after fourteen minutes. We at that stage had registered four wides, which on another evening could have yielded scores.
So it took us 18 minutes to get our first score but boy was it worth waiting for. Michael Slattery won possession in the centre of the pitch, jinked his way through that solid Dingle defence that we referred to earlier and from the edge of the square unleashed an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net – and the only goal that might have surpassed in recent times was the one scored by David Clifford in Clones last Sunday week.
Dingle added three more points before half time while we added two – one from play by Michael Linnane, put through by Podge Looney and a pointed free by Donagh McKivergan. This left us three adrift at the break (0-8 to 1-2).
Unlike the first half we had a brilliant start to the second half . Joseph O’Connor – who along with Michael O’Gara, gave a very solid performance at mid-field – opened the scoring after just a minute with a lovely point. Then inside the 35th minute a quickly taken free by Donagh McKivergan was pounced on by Michael Linnane and Michael placed his shot beautifully to the right of the keeper for a super goal. This put us into the lead for the first time. Dingle then added two points but another Michael Linnane point left the sides level after 40 minutes. Three quick points then by the home side in the next five minutes gave them back their three points half time lead.
However in the final quarter (15 minutes of normal time plus almost 5 minutes of additional time) we held the opposition to just one more point while we added three more – a beautiful effort from play by Donagh McMahon and two from frees by Michael O’Gara and Michael Slattery. But that stubborn Dingle defence thwarted us time after time from getting us over the line.
It still was a brilliant performance by our lads which looks even better when you consider that of the starting 15 seven were under 18, five were under 19, one was under 20 and just 2 under 21. And of the six subs on the bench four were under 18. So Wayne, John and Darragh were thinking long term here which they emphasized very much in their after match discussion with the players.
Colin Griffin, who has missed the last five SF Co. League games through injury, lined out in goals, a most unusual position for him. But he did very well, making a number of vital saves and keeping a clean sheet into the bargain.
Team: Colin Griffin, Shane Kelliher, Dylan Casey, Brandon Patterson, Pádriag Looney, Ciarán O’Reilly, Shane Walsh, Michael O’Gara (0-1 free), Joseph O’Connor (0-1), Donagh McKivergan (0-1 free), Donagh McMahon (0-1), Michael Linnane (1-2), Seán Dukes, Gearóid Fitzgerald, Michael Slattery (1-1).
Subs used: Jack O’Shea (38m), David Fitzmaurice (44m), Joe Looby (56m).
MINOR FOOTBALL: The final of the MF Town League, between ourselves and Na Gaeil, is due to be played on this Friday evening (3rd Aug) with a 7pm start. The venue has yet to be confirmed as w write.
The Central League fixtures, outlined in last week’s Notes, have been changed somewhat after Dingle transferring from our Group 1 to Group 2. So now our three round games are as follows: we are due to play Churchill on this Monday evening (30th July) at 7pm.. In round 2 we are also away to Na Gaeil on next Monday (6th Aug). Then we have a home game in the 3rd and final round on the 13th Aug against Laune Rangers. All games are due to start at 7pm. As a result of the changes the semi finals and finals have been brought forward – the semi is fixed for 20th August and the final the following Monday (27th Aug).
HURLING: We received a walk-over from Abbeydorney in the last round of the Co. League last week.
In the meantime the final round of the South Kerry League, away to Duagh, has been refixed for Wednesday week (8th Aug). If we win this game we then have won the League. However if Duagh win the game then both sides will be on six points each after completion of the four rounds and the sides then will have to meet again in the League Final.
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 (23rd July) Jackpot, worth €8,800, was not won. The numbers drawn were 15, 22, 27, 28. The €20 winners were: Michelle Walmsley, c/o Richard Healy; and Phil Lynch, Johnny Dowling, Mike Kenny and Brendan O’Regan, all 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 – Mattie Commane, St. Anne’s Bungalows and formerly Spa Road (Uncle of Paudie, former Club Committee Member); Helen (Ettie) Healy (nee Murphy), California, Listowel and formerly Healy’s Dairy, Castle Street; Breeda McCarthy (Larkin) (nee Lyne), Milltown and formerly Countess Road, Killarney (wife of Mike, former Oifigeach Oiliúna, Kerry Co. Board) and Betty Quinlan (nee O’Connor), Caherslee and formerly Listrim.
