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SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 4-13; Killarney Legion 3-6.
For the seventh time in eight seasons we have qualified for the quarter final stage of the Co. Championship after a brilliant ten points victory in a game played in an overcast but dry Connolly Park on last Friday evening (26th May).
We got off to a terrific start, going 1-1 up inside the first minute. Kieran Donaghy won the throw-in, found Shane O’Callaghan who passed to Michael O’Donnell and Michael raced through and found the net after 22 seconds.
Star then won the kick-out, found Shane Carroll, who put David Mannix through for a point. Legion then got to grips with the game and had reduced that lead with two quick points. However they didn’t score again until just before half time.
In the meantime we were totally dominant all over the pitch In that period we scored 1-6 without reply which left us ten points ahead at the break (2-7 to 0-3).
Points from five different players – David Mannix (2 – one from a free), Jack O’Shea, Michael O’Donnell (free), Wayne Guthrie and Shane O’Callaghan and a super goal from Jack Morgan after a brilliant individual run in the 27th minute, left us in that position.
Legion always looked dangerous on the attack but again our superb defence were there time after time to thwart any danger.
During the first eight minutes of the second half there was nothing but goals, four in total, two for each side. We scored the first two, Greg Horan on target after 35 seconds and Wayne Guthrie in the 33rd minute.
This left us an astonishing 16 points clear at that stage. But Legion will always fight to the last and in the next four minutes got through themselves for two goals.
The rest of the game was also evenly contested with we putting over a further six points and Legion adding 1-3, their third goal coming from a 51st minute penalty. Our points came again from David Mannix (4 – one free) and one each from Denis McElligott and Greg Horan.
Team: David Hennessy, Barry Walsh, Fearghal MacNamara, Ronan Shanahan, Pa McCarthy, Jack O’Shea (0-1), Jack Morgan (1-0), Shane Carroll, Wayne Guthrie (1-1), Denis McElligott(0-1), Greg Horan (1-1), Michael O’Donnell (1-1 – one free), David Mannix (0-7 – two frees), Kieran Donaghy, Shane O’Callaghan (Capt) (0-1).
Subs used: Fiachna Mangan (52m), Seán Ryan (58m), Denis Costello (62m).
The win puts us straight in to the quarter finals along with Dr. Crokes, Kerins O’Rahillys and Rathmore who have already qualified.
The other four quarter final teams will emerge from the winners of the four round 3 games which are due to be played the week after the Munster SF Final.
The quarter finals are fixed for the week-end of the 1st October (depending on Kerry’s progress in the All Ireland Championship)
.Legion are by no means out of the Championship as they will now go to round 3, together with St. Brendans, Feale Rangers and Dingle and all four will be drawn against either South Kerry, East Kerry, Kenmare Shamrock or West Kerry in that round.
We now turn out thoughts back to the Co. League. Before we kick a Championship ball in anger again we are due to have played all our remaining nine rounds of the League, starting on next Saturday evening (3rd June) with the short trip across town to play Kerins O’Rahillys. The game in Strand Road is fixed for 7.30pm.
We’ve had mixed luck so far in two League games we have played, losing our first game to John Mitchels and winning against Desmond. We have, of course, that outstanding game yet to play at home to Dr. Crokes.
Rahillys, themselves, are in a somewhat similar position with one win, one draw and one loss in the three games that they have played so far. So this is a game that both sides will want to win.
B FOOTBALL: Our B team are also in action at the weekend when they travel to Knocknagoshel to play the locals in the fifth game (of 12) of the Co. League. This game is fixed for Sunday (4th June) at 2pm.
CONGRATULATIONS: to former Club Footballer, Michael Hogan and Michelle O’Dowd who were married in Tralee last week.
SENIOR HURLING: Our Hurlers are due to commence their Co. League (Div 2A) season with a home game against Kenmare on this Wednesday evening (31st May). Throw in 7pm. However as we write we understand that Kenmare may have difficulty with this fixture. Keep in touch with website for updates.
The remaining four rounds are fixed for consecutive Wednesdays as follows – R2 away to Ballyheigue (7th June), R3 at home to Abbeydorney (14th June), R4 away to Kilgarvan (21st June), R5 at home to Dr. Crokes (28th June).
JOBSMATCH 2017: Summer, Part Time & Full Time Employment Opportunities
With huge success for the last 2 years we are now taking CV’s for Summer, part time and full time 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 (22nd May) Jackpot, worth €5,750, was not won. The numbers drawn were 2, 19, 20, 23. The €20 winners were: Michael McNamara, c/o Club Rockies; Betty Tobin and Joe Naughton, both c/o The Club; and Mike O’Shea and Bryan McMahon, both c/o Carmel O’Neill.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Mary Doyle (nee Rex), Pembroke Square and late of Farranwilliam (Ardfert); Patricia (Pat) O’Donoghue (nee Forde), Ballyvelly; Gerald O’Mahony, Mitchel’s Court; and Francis Galvin, Beenoskee, Ballyard and late of Ballyseedy.
