SENIOR FOOTBALL:
With a number of training sessions and Challenge games already under their belts since last November’s Munster Final win, our Seniors are due to play their first competitive game of the New Year when they line out against Kerins O’Rahillys next Sunday (25th Jan) in Ballymac at 2pm in the final of the 2014 Town Championship.
All in the Club extend sincere sympathy to Kieran Donaghy on the death, yesterday, of his grandmother, Mary Fitzgerald (see sympathy).
ALL IRELAND SEMI FINAL:
All Roads lead to O’Moore Park, Portlaoise for our All Ireland Semi Final against Slaughtneil on Sunday 15th February @ 4pm. Club Secretary, Elma Nix, informs us that Supporters Buses are available for the brilliant price of €10 return. O’Loughlin’s Hotel, right in the town centre, will be the Rockie supporters home for the day! They have been extremely helpful to us – organised bus parking in the town centre etc etc.
We will have the hotel’s large function area entirely to ourselves. Food will be available to purchase in both in the function room and separately in the hotel and there will be a full bar in the function area. Supporter’s March from hotel to the Stadium. Get your Bus Tickets at the club bar any evening after 7pm and why not support the club by picking up and completing a Sports Forecast Sheet too. We’d really appreciate your support.
BEST OF LUCK: to Ardfert and Brosna who take on Down and Tyrone opposition in their All Ireland Intermediate and Junior semi final encounters next Sunday.
SPORTS FORECAST: Forms for the 2015 Austin Stacks Sports Forecast went on Sale last weekend. Last year’s inaugural event was a great success.
Congratulations to the 2014 winners: 1st: Anne & Pa Hoare – 96 points, 2nd: Kieran Donaghy – 95 points & 3rd: Kevin Barry – 91 points. 2015 forms are now available at the Club Bar. All are urged to support this important Club Fundraiser.
MCNAMEE AWARDS 2014:
The Club was well represented in Croke Park last Saturday night to receive the McNamee Award for Rory Kirby’s brilliant DVD Documentary of the Club’s exploits in 2014. Joining Rory at the awards ceremony, hosted by RTE’S Marty Morrissey, were Aidan O;Connor, Elma Nix, Adrienne & Damien McLoughlin, Morgan O’Connell and Siobhan Naughton.
The Citation Read: “2014 Club Project Award – Austin Stacks GAA Club – Austin Stacks “Rockumentary” is a worthy winner in this category. The Club’s successful journey to county and provincial success is skillfully documented and captures the immense pride of club, town & county. The professional and dedicate approach of players and management shine through in a digital package that will entertain and motivate generations to come.
Congratulations again to all involved on this well-deserved award and congrats also to Radio Kerry’s Terrace Talk programme who also collected a McNamee award for the best GAA related radio programme ‘Sam’ (the history of Sam Maguire cup).
DEFIBRILLATOR COURSE:
Player welfare and safety has to be continually to the forefront for all team mentors from under 6 to Senior level. In this regard the Club is to organize a one-day (over the course of a few hours) training course shortly. We would ask all interested in participating to respond asap to Elma’s email which she sent out about a week ago.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY:
to Tim Tiger Slattery who celebrated the big 60 last week (12th Jan). Tim is a former Club footballer and is one of the outstanding Club and County Statisticians supplying informative stats to many publications including many Match Programmes at Club, County and Munster level.
CONGRATULATIONS/LE FELICITATIONS: to Seanie Power (former Club Footballer) and Amelie Quenson on the birth last week of a baby son named Matisse. As Adrienne McLoughlin, who broke the news, said in her email – Power-ful. Felicitations en Amelie sur la naissance de votre fils, Matisse.
BINGO: continues on this and every Saturday night commencing at 8.30pm.
CLUBHOUSE: As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties. Phone Ian from 7pm at 066 7126942 for bookings.
CARDS: The 45 Card Sessions continue in the Clubhouse every Monday and Thursday nights commencing at 9.30pm.
LOTTO:
Last Monday’s (12th Jan) Jackpot worth €5,000 was not won. The numbers drawn were 2, 5, 21, 32.
The €20 Prizes went to Ian O’Carroll, c/o The Club; Laura O’Regan, c/o Brendan O’Regan; Brian Collins, c/o Martin Collins; Josie O’Connor, c/o Galvin’s Shop; and Kitty Healy, c/o Charlie Healy.
SYMPATHY:
Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Elizabeth Doody, Strand Street and late of New York and Moanmore, Castleisland; Aine McCarthy, Garryowen, Limerick and late of Ashe Street; Julia Griffin (nee Howard), Cockleshell Road and late of Leith; Eileen McElligott, Stack’s Villas and late of Rock Street; and Mary Fitzgerald (nee Moriarty), Caherslee and late of Lawlor’s Cross (grandmother of Club and Kerry footballer, Kieran Donaghy).
