SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 0-19; Spa Killarney 2-6.
After our little blip last week our boys got back to winning ways on last Saturday evening (27th July) in Connolly Park with a comfortable enough seven points victory which keeps us in line for a top two spot in the League Table. Dylan Casey got the opening score of the game in the third minute but the visitors matched us score for score in the first quarter which ended on four points each – our other three points coming from a Darragh O’Brien free after Kieran Donaghy was fouled and the others from two Fiachna Mangan efforts from play.
But we took complete control during the second quarter adding a further seven points to just one for the opposition. This gave us a six points lead at the break (0-11 to 0-5). All our six forwards at that stage had got on the score sheet with those seven second quarter points coming from Seán Quilter and Darragh O’Brien (two each) and one each from Kieran Donaghy, Greg Horan and Michael O’Gara.
We extended that lead to nine points within the first five minutes of the second half with Seán Quilter (2) and Joseph O’Connor on target. But five minutes later the visitors scored two goals in the space of forty five seconds to reduce our lead to just three points. But that was as good as it got for the Spa boys as they managed to score just one more point for the rest of the game while we added five more to leave us with a seven points victory in the end. Those five points were scored by two of our second half substitutes – Shane Carroll (2) and Ferdia O’Brien – with the other two coming from Kieran Donaghy and Seán Quilter (free).
As well as those already mentioned there were formidable performances also from goalkeeper Robbie Murphy who made two brilliant saves at vital times in each half. Dylan Casey also gave a solid display at centre-back and upfront all our six forwards were outstanding with Kieran Donaghy giving another superb display, not alone in the forwards, but reverting to the defence when required. But if there was a Man of the Match award it would be hard to overlook the display of Joseph O’Connor at centre-field which was awesome.
Team: Robbie Murphy, Colin Griffin, Conor Jordan (Capt), John Dennis, Jack O’Shea, Dylan Casey (0-1), Pa McCarthy, Wayne Guthrie, Joseph O’Connor (0-1), Fiachna Mangan (0-2), Greg Horan (0-1), Michael O’Gara (0-1), Seán Quilter (0-5 – two frees), Kieran Donaghy (0-2), Darragh O’Brien (0-3 – one free).
Subs used: Shane Carroll (37m) (0-2), Jack Morgan (48m), Ferdia O’Brien (54m) (0-1), Ciarán O’Connell (54m), David Fitzmaurice (56m), Donagh McKivergan (57m).
With one more round to be played as well as one back game (Templenoe .v. Killarney Legion) the top two positions in the League Table are still wide open with all of the top six teams still in contention – Rathmore Stacks, Crokes, Rahillys, Dingle and Legion. So all to play for in this 11th and final round which is provisionally fixed for the week-end after next (w/e 18th August) but this has yet to be confirmed as we write. We are away to St. Marys in this final round.
B FOOTBALL: Asdee 1-6; Austin Stacks 0-10.
A brilliant display by our B team in the penultimate round of the Co. League, away to Asdee (the game was played in Finuge on Sunday afternoon as the Asdee pitch is under renovation), ended with a one point win for us and moves us up to third position in the League table.
Missing a number of first choice players through injury, including team captain Andrew Morrissey, Denis Costello and Cathal O’Reilly (Cathal was introduced late in the second half) we fought all through with grit and determination with our defensive display in particular the key to our victory.
All our six defenders and goalkeeper Seamus Bastible played superbly performing turn-over after turn-over to keep a very tricky Asdee forward line at bay. The fact that we held them to three points in each half tells its own story.
We led by five points to three at half time and in another low-scoring second half we had increased that lead to just three (0-9 to 0-6) as the game went in to added time. Then, in the 61st minute, Asdee scored the only goal of the game to level matters.
But we held our composure and two minutes later David Couchman put over the winner to cap a fine personal performance by him.
As well as our defence Ciarán O’Connell and Michael O’Gara were superb at centre-field with our forwards combining well for some well-taken scores including some brilliant individual efforts like Daniel O’Rourke’s 29th minute point from play and Donagh McKivergan’s superb pointed free from the side-line in the 38th minute.
Team: Seamus Bastible, Shane Kelliher, John Dennis, John Murphy (Capt), David Burke, Paul Galvin, Shane Walsh, Ciarán O’Connell Michael O’Gara (0-1), Donagh McMahon, Pa McCarthy (0-1), Dale Counihan, Daniel O’Rourke (0-1), Donagh McKivergan (0-3 frees), David Couchman (0-4).
Subs used: Theo Diggin (49m), Cathal O’Reilly (56m), Conor Myers (58m).
The 11th and final round is provisionally fixed for the week-end after next (w/e 18th August) but this has yet to be confirmed as we write. We are at home to Cromane in this final round.
THE C TEAM: Our group in the Junior League will become clearer on this Tuesday evening when the final game in the group stage is played between Annascaul and Ballydonoghue. If Annascaul wins they will qualify for the final while ourselves and Na Gaeil will be in the semi final. If Ballydonoghue win there will be four teams then on six points each and with all four having wins and losses against each other if looks as if it will be decided on score difference as to who will be first, second and third on the table.
MINOR FOOTBALL: Laune Rangers 4-13; Austin Stacks 2-11.
After going down to Renard/St. Marys in the opening round of the Central League last week our Minors suffered their second loss in round 2 of the competition played in Killorglin on Thursday evening (25th July).
The home side led by double scores at half time (2-8 to 1-4). Team Captain for the evening, Seán Quilter and Conor Myers were our first half scores – Seán was our goal scorer in the 19th minute and also added two super points – one from long distance from play and the other from a forty five. Conor’s two points came from frees.
The second half was only 44 seconds old when Dara Barry Walsh put over from play. We did have a far better second half – just scoring one point short of the opposition (2-5 to 1-7). Like the first half all our other scores, bar one, came from Seán Quilter (4) and Conor Myers (2), with our second half goal coming in the 55th minute from a brilliant effort by Eoghan Carroll.
Team; Ben Quilter, Kieran Kelliher, Niall Fitzmaurice (0-1), Craig Teahan, Padraic Linnane, David Burke, Tom O’Farrell, Dara Barry Walsh (0-1), Eoghan Carroll (1-0), Conor Horan, Seán Quilter Capt) (1-6 – one free, one forty five), Daniel O’Rourke, Cian Purcell, Conor Myers (0-4 – three frees).
Sub used: Gavin Duffy (56m).
In the 3rd and final round we travel to Listry on next Thursday evening (1st August) to play a Keel/Listry combination. Throw-in at 7pm. Despite what happens here we will qualify for the semi final. With only four teams in the group the top team will meet the 4th and the 2nd team will meet the 3rd in the semi finals. The 1st and 2nd teams in the group will have home venue and the semis are fixed for the 8th August.
In the meantime the draw has been made for the quarter finals of the Co. Championship. We will have a home game against West Kerry, the first time the sides will meet since 2005. The other three quarter finals are between Kenmare District and St. Brendans; Mid Kerry .v. East Kerry and Club .v. Club in the 4th game (Rathmore .v. Laune Rangers). All four games have been fixed for Tuesday week (13th August) at 7pm.
WELL DONE: to the Kerry Minors (including our own Luke Chester and Adam Curran) on their win over Tyrone in the All Ireland Quarter Final at the week-end.
U21 FOOTBALL: We will have a home venue against Gneeveguilla in the opening round of the U21 Championship to be played on Tuesday evening week (6th August). The winners will go through to the quarter finals with no second chance for the losers in this competition.
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 July) Jackpot, worth €11,650, was not won. The numbers drawn were 3, 10, 13, 31.
The €20 winners were: Mairead Curran, c/o Carmel O’Neill; John Gutteridge and Michael Carroll, both c/o The Club; Nial Shanahan, c/o Club Rockies; and Molly O’Shea, c/o Brendan O’Regan.
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.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently: Theresa O’Sullivan (nee McCaffrey), Spa Road and formerly Glasgow and Mitchel’s Avenue; Roseanne O’Brien, Kevin Barry Villas and Tobar Naofa; and Elizabeth Sweeney (nee Coffey), Connolly Park.
