PAUL LUCEY RUN FOR THE ROCK: Bank Holiday Monday May 6th – It is our ambition that every person associated with the club will participate in this occasion with our Run/Walk/Help initiative ie you Run it, you Walk it or you Help.
There will be no other club activities on this day. It is our ambition to make this a day of Club Unity that shows us in our best light.
SENIOR FOOTBALL: Kenmare 0-12; Austin Stacks 1-16.
Played in ideal conditions in Fr. Breen Park, Kenmare on Easter Sunday afternoon (21st April) our Seniors notched up a third win out of three in this final round robin game of the Club Championship to set up a mouth-watering final against Dr. Crokes next week-end.
While we had to come from behind in our opening two games it was a different story on this occasion as we led from start to finish. We were four points up after eight minutes before Kenmare got off the mark in the 10th minute.
Seán Quilter was again our main marksman with three of those points (two from play) with our 4th coming from a long-ranged effort by Shane O’Callaghan.
During the next 15 minutes we added a further four points with four different players on target – Greg Horan, Shane O’Callaghan (his 2nd), Colin Griffin and a long-ranged one from Darragh O’Brien. During this period Kenmare added three more.
We put over two more before the break – the first a real team effort – Barry Shanahan starting the move, continued by Calla who found Wayne Guthrie and his high shot into the square tapped over the bar by Kieran Donaghy.
The final score of the half came from our other corner back Jack O’Shea, with Wayne and Darragh involved in the build-up, to leave us six points up at the break (0-10 to 0-4).
That was still the margin between the sides after 28 minutes of the second half (0-15 to 0-9). Seán Quilter continued his scoring tally putting over a further four points (three from frees) with Shane O’Callaghan scoring the 5th (his 3rd).
Even though we still maintained a comfortable lead Kenmare looked dangerous every time they came forward but again our defence was Rock solid and turned over attack after attack. So when our goal came in the 59th minute it put the result beyond doubt for the first time in the game. And it was a real opportunist goal.
Seán Quilter was fouled but the ever-alert Shane O’Callaghan saw Michael O’Gara on his own and he took a quick free to Michael who slotted the ball to the right of the keeper for the only goal of the game. In the five minutes of added time Kenmare added three points while our last point came from a well-taken 45 by Seán Quilter to bring his points tally to eight (he also scored eight in the last game against Kilcummin).
We were the only team of the eight who participated in the group stage to win all our three games but that will count for nothing unless we now go all the way and win the final which would be a repeat of the result over Crokes when we last won the title three years ago by the slimmest of margins (2-12 to 1-14). The game has been fixed for this Sunday (28th April) in Austin Stack Park at 2.30pm.
Team: Robbie Murphy, Colin Griffin (0-1), Barry Shanahan, Jack O’Shea (0-1), Ciarán O’Reilly, Ronan Shanahan, Jack Morgan, Wayne Guthrie (Capt), Joseph O’Connor, Greg Horan (0-1), Darragh O’Brien (0-1), Fiachna Mangan, Seán Quilter (0-8 – four frees; one 45), Kieran Donaghy (0-1), Shane O’Callaghan (0-3).
Subs used: Michael O’Gara (51m) (1-0), Conor Jordan (55m), Ferdia O’Brien (56m), Donagh McKivergan (57m).
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: to Adrienne McLoughlin of our PR Committee, who celebrated her birthday recently.
REMEMBERING: at this time the late Trevor Barrett, the 5th anniversary of whose untimely death took place last Saturday (20th April).
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 Monday’s (15th April) Jackpot, worth €10,900, was not won. The numbers drawn were 14, 18, 28, 30.
The €20 winners were; Patrick O’Sullivan, c/o Rock Street Post Office; Brian McKivergan, c/o John Breen; PJ Foley, c/o Carmel O’Neil; and Mike McNamara and Kieran Kelliher, both c/o Club Rockies..
Lotto Tickets are on regular sale at the Rock Street Post Office and at the Stacks Clubhouse, as well as from our other regular outlets.
All at the Lotto wish long-serving Lotto worker, Brendan O’Regan a full and speedy recovery from his recent operation.
DEATH; It was with sadness that we learned of the death of former Club Hurler, Benny Hayes, Belfast and formerly Tralee.
Benny was a member of that great MH team that won the 1955 Co. Championship, defeating Ballyheigue in the final by 9-4 to 2-2. Benny came on as a second half substitute that day and can be seen in that iconic team photo standing next to John Barry and Mike Quirke.
We extend sincere sympathy to Benny’s family, including his brother Mícheál, one of our esteemed Vice Presidents and former Juvenile mentor of many teams in the sixties and seventies.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is also offered to the families of the following who died recently – Billy Keane, New Marian Park and formerly Rathanny; Mary Kelliher, Rock Street; Paddy Ryan, Garryruth and formerly Killeen, Oakpark (nephew of former Club and Kerry Footballer, the late Jackie Ryan); and Denis O’Shea, Lisbeg.
