JUNIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-18; Ardfert 1-6.
In their last game of the season our B team won some silver-ware when they captured the Tralee Town Board JF League after a very solid performance played in dreadful weather conditions in Strand Road on last Saturday afternoon (13th Oct).
Playing with the aid of the elements in the first half we got off to a perfect start when Gearóid McCann won the throw-in, found Mikey Collins, who passed to Donagh McKivergan and Donagh, from distance, pointed beautifully after just 22 seconds. Ardfert however responded well and mounted attack after attack for the next ten minutes but some brilliant defensive work by our six backs, ably assisted by our two midfielders, kept them scoreless until the 23rd minute.
In the meantime we had added a further goal and two points – our points coming in quick succession in the 13th and 14th minutes from Donnagh Mac (his second) and Fergal Ryan after a neat pass from Dale Counihan. Our goal then came in the 18th minute when Mikey Collins, who was through on goal, was fouled in the square and Fergal Ryan tucked away the resultant penalty as good as Lionel Messi ever did.
Five minutes later Ardfert got their first score – a pointed free – but we followed this with three unanswered points – a pointed free by Donagh Mac and two from play by Fergal Ryan and Dale Counihan. Both sides then had a point each just coming up to half time – ours from Mikey Collins – to leave us ahead by 1-7 to 0-2 at the interval.
With the elements now favouring the Ardfert boys we were bracing ourselves for an onslaught but it was our lads who were quickest off the mark – scoring the first three points of the half – Michael Linnane, Mikey Collins and Shane Kelliher (coming up from his corner back position) on target.
Then in the 40th minute Ardfert pounced on a breaking ball in the square for their goal. But we responded well, scoring the next four points – two by Mikey Collins and one each by Gearóid Fitzgerald and Donagh McKivergan (free).
The 4th quarter was evenly contested with both sides scoring four points each – our four coming from Mikey Collins (with two more again), Donagh McKivergan (free) and Dale Counihan from play. So a well-deserved twelve points victory to conclude a reasonably good season – another title to add to the McElligott Cup (Co. JF Championship) which we won a few weeks ago.
All our eighteen players performed exceptionally well on the day – on a dreadful day – weather-wise. That said, let us thank the O’Rahillys Club for the use of their pitch which was in excellent condition – despite the weather.
Well done also for a great season by our superb mentors – Paddy Barry, Eamonn O’Reilly, Kieran Kelliher and Brian Morgan. Jimmy Browne, on behalf of the Tralee Town Board, presented team captain, Andrew Morrissey, with the winning Cup. Andrew thanked everybody for their commitment on the day, including our own players, the Ardfert team and referee, Eddie Barrett (Knocknagoshel).
Team: Pa Fitzgibbon, Shane Kelliher (0-1), John Dennis, Paul Galvin, Eoghan Galvin, Barry Shanahan, Andrew Morrissey (Capt), Gearóid McCann, Gearóid Fitzgerald (0-1), Michael Collins (0-6), Dale Counihan (0-2), Fergal Ryan (1-2 – penalty goal), Donagh McKivergan (0-5 – three frees), William Kirby, Michael Linnane (0-1).
Subs used: Barry Galvin (45m), John Murphy (46m), Jonathan Boulding (50m).
HURLING: The Co. IH Plate Final against Ballyheigue did not go ahead as scheduled last week-end. Instead it has been re-fixed for next Friday evening week (26th Oct). The venue is still Caherslee as we write.
In the meantime the South Kerry JH Championship Final between ourselves and Duagh is now due to go ahead under lights in Abbeydorney on this Saturday evening (20th Oct) at 7.30pm..
CONGRATULATIONS: to Club Minor Footballer, Daniel O’Rourke, who won a Co. Championship medal last week-end when he was part of the Crotta U21H team that triumphed over their neighbours, Lixnaw in the Co. Final (0-13 to 0-11).
NOLANS GARAGE ON THEIR BIKE FOR PIETA HOUSE FUNDRAISER.
A final reminder that the Nolan’s Garage and Londis Store Charity Cyclethon for Pieta House goes ahead at the Garage Forecourt in North Circular Road on this Saturday (20th Oct)..
The Londis Group have been Charity partners with Pieta House for a number of years and Nolan’s are celebrating the first anniversary of their association with the Londis Group by hosting this fundraiser for a very noble cause. Some great spot prizes will be raffled throughout the day with refreshments, music, entertainment, and face painting also provided. All monies raised at the event will go straight into the Tralee Pieta House Centre.
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 (8th Oct) Jackpot, worth €9,350, was not won. The numbers drawn were 6, 7, 12, 30. The €20 winners were: Mary B. & James Feely, c/o Club Rockies; David O’Sullivan and Timex Slattery, both c/o The Club; John McDonnell, c/o Carmel O’Neill; and Denis Bracker O’Regan, c/o John Breen..
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 – Margaret (Peggy) O’Sullivan (nee Kirby), Kilmore, Ballyduff (mother-in-law of Ger McCarthy); Patrick Joseph Baily, Rathanny and Ballymacelligott; Hannah Devane (nee McKenna), Oakpark Demesne and formerly Leataoibh, Ballyferriter; Edward (Ned) Lonergan, Clogheresta, Hawley Park; Ann O’Rourke, Sligo and Tralee (sister of Una Moynihan, of our Ladies Club and sister-in-law of Owen Moynihan, former Club Footballer); Tom Griffin, Cloghers and Dingle; Frank Latchford, Rathfarnham and formerly Tralee; and Niall McGillycuddy, Cloonteens, Kilcummin (a current Minor Footballer with Killarney Legion).
