TREVOR BARRETT TOURNAMENT: The 6th Annual Trevor Barrett Memorial Tournament went ahead in Connolly Park on last Saturday (24th Aug) in ideal conditions. With a late withdrawal the tournament was rearranged into two groups giving each team a minimum of 3 games. Group 1 was Tralee Parnell’s, Ballyheigue and Kilmoyley.
Group 2 was Dr Crokes, Abbeydorney and St Brendan’s. Some wonderful competitive hurling was on display with some of the more skillful players taking advantage of 2 points per side line rule.
Tralee Parnell’s and St Brendan’s ended up competing in the Shield final which was a high scoring game at 2-10 to 8-7 but proof goals win games. Man of the Match was Seamus Halloran of St Brendan’s.
Ballyheigue and Abbeydorney ended up in the Cup final after respectively defeating Dr Crokes and Kilmoyley in the semi- finals.
It was a very hotly contested game with some flair and emotion on display with end to end hurling that ended up on a score of 4-9 a piece after full time. A penalty shootout decided the outcome with Ballyheigue succeeding. Man of Match was Mike Leen Ballyheigue with another heiguer Cormac Slattery winning player of Tournament.
The 7 a side brings a different dimension to the game and the faster pace adds to the excitement. The tournament success comes from the brilliant displays of hurling on show and credit is deserving to each player that togged and participated throughout the day. We hope they enjoyed it as much as the spectators have.
Our referees John Hennessy, Pat Corridon and Finbar Canty ensured tension never spilled over and let the hurling flow and great credit for them to give there Saturday for the event. The club was immaculate thanks to the hard work by John Breen. As always Harry Hynes aided by Annette Carmody graciously provided a steady supply of snacks and refreshments throughout the day and well into the night.
Thanks must also go to Elma Nix for all her work in the background helping organising the day months in advance. A day like we had Saturday really shows the strength of the club as it was a day for former hurlers, family and friends to get together to celebrate the life of Trevor who was taken too soon.
The volunteering of those name checked above and those in the background make the club the place it is and for the club to facilitate the event thanks must also be given.
And it’s always nice to see the Barrett Family present, Richard and Betty, and Paul and Gillian (Richard, no doubt celebrating Causeway’s great win the day after in the Co. SH Final).
Thanks to Tadhg Meehan for the above Report and to himself, Ronan Gilsenan, Danny Maguire, Andrew Morrissey and other members of the Organising Committee for running such a wonderful Tournament and to Adrienne McLoughlin for, as usual, her superb photography.
STRICTLY COME DANCING: After weeks of intense and dedicated practice all the contestants are now ready to take to the floor in the Festival Dome on this coming Saturday night(31th Aug) for what will be the 9th consecutive running of the ever-popular Strictly Come Dancing Competition. This year fourteen couples will be taking the floor after being put through their paces for the last ten weeks or so by the talented dancing teacher, Jackie O’Mahoney.
SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-10; John Mitchels 1-6.
On a misty, overcast Festival Saturday evening(24th Aug) in Strand Road we eventually came out on top against a very useful Mitchels team to win our first Senior Town Championship since 2015.
We got off to a brilliant start with two quick Shane Carroll points inside the first minute to be followed by a third a minute later by Fiachna Mangan after a quickly taken free by Dylan Casey. Then after Mitchels registered their first score in the fourth minutes Dylan was himself the scorer of our fourth point after good work by Greg Horan and Darragh O’Brien.
Then Mitchels added two more in the 9th and 12th minutes to be followed, a minute later, by a third Shane Carroll point and a fifth for us. But almost from the kick-out Mitchels were on the attack and ended up with a well-taken goal to put them into the lead for the first time (1-3 to 0-5).
That was nine scores in the first quarter but, with the game held up by a number of injuries, the second quarter only produced two more scores – a point for each side – ours coming from a Darragh O’Brien free after his brother Ferdia was fouled. Darragh, and John Dennis, were unlucky to be two of the players involved in some of those separate hold-ups and both had to be replaced following those injuries just before half time. We wish both a speedy recovery. This left Mitchels ahead at the break by 1-4 to 0-6.
With the mist still falling scores were difficult enough to come-by in the second half and with ten minutes of normal time remaining we led by a point after scoring four during those twenty minutes, while Mitchels put over two.
Shane O’Callaghan put over two of our four from play with Ferdia O’Brien adding one from a free but the point of the game was scored in between by Greg Horan, a massive high bending shot out near the side-line which curled in and over the bar.
It was anyone’s game in the closing minutes with both sides going for it, but the last and only score of the last 13 minutes (there were three minutes of added time) came in the 57th minute when Ferdia O’Brien was at the end of a great Stacks move to tap the ball to the net and put some space between the sides for the first time in the game.
Club Member, John Slattery, Chairman of the Town Board and Helen O’Donnell (widow of the late Roddy O’Donnell) presented the Roddy O’Donnell Cupto team captain, Conor Jordan and presented Dylan Casey with his well-deserved Man of the Match Award.
Team: Darragh O’Brien, Colin Griffin, Barry Shanahan, John Dennis, Dylan Casey (0-1), Conor Jordan (Capt), Jack Morgan, Wayne Guthrie, Joseph O’Connor, Shane Carroll (0-3), Greg Horan (0-1), Fiachna Mangan (0-1), Ferdia O’Brien (1-1 – one free), Darragh O’Brien (0-1 – free), Shane O’Callaghan (0-2).
Subs used: Brandon Patterson (25m), Michael O’Gara (28m), David Fitzmaurice (48m), Pa McCarthy (56m).
CONGRATULATIONS: And congratulations to the aforementioned Pa McCarthy and his partner, Aoife Moore, on the recent birth of their baby boy.
CONGRATULATIONS: also to former Club Hurler, John Brennan who was joined by a lot of his former Hurling colleagues at a party during the week to mark his retirement from the Gárda Siochana. John is retiring next week after spending 37 years in the force, ending up as Detective Inspector.
B FOOTBALL: Glenbeigh/Glencar 2-8; Austin Stacks 2-12.
The B team started their Molyneaux Cup qualifier with a very solid win over hosts Glenbeigh / Glencar on Friday 23rd on an evening that was ideal for football. It was a game of 2 halves the sides being level at the short whistle.
Our opponents got off to a good start with 2 points, before Rory Forbes raced forward to slot in a goal. 2 more points for the hosts before half-time were split by a David Couchman free to leave the sides even on 0-4 to 1-1.
While the home side again started the scoring with a point, the Rock responded with a goal and a point from Couchman and a point from Darren Bastible. Another point from Glenbeigh / Glencar was answered again with a goal and a point by Couchman, who finished with a total of 2-4. Ciaran O’Connell and Paul Galvin added points, before Michael Linnane finished the scoring with a well-taken goal.
Darren Bastible was unlucky not to have Hawk Eye in situ to rule on what looked like a goal, while undoubtedly the score of the game came from a mighty and accurate kickout from Seamus Bastible in goals fielded brilliantly by Linnane, before he turned and kicked an excellent 40-yard pass to Couchman who gave the keeper no chance from a tight angle.
The match finished 1-9 to 4-7 and we look forward to our next game which is planned for Friday next 30th August. Thanks to Eamonn O’Reilly for the above Report.
The win qualifies us for the Molyneaux Cup where we have received a bye in round 1. This puts us into the semi final where we will play the winners of next Friday night’s round 1 tie between Kenmare and Rathmore. Our semi final game is fixed for the following Friday (6th Sept).
THE C TEAM: Austin Stacks 4-16; Brosna 1-6.
Played on an excellent pitch in Brosna of this Friday evening (23rd Aug) our C Team had a nineteen points win in this Junior Championship qualifier which now puts us into the opening round of the Barrett Cup while Brosna will play in the first round of the Cahill Cup.
The home side opened the scoring after just 30 second but once we settled we took complete control with great scores coming the like of David Courtney, Seán Dukes and Joe Looby. We led by 2-8 to 0-4 at half time and in the second half we added a further 2-8 to 1-2 for the opposition.
So round one of the Barrett Cup goes ahead on this Friday evening (30th Aug) with a home game for us at 6.45pm against Keel. The winner goes through to the quarter final on the following Friday (6th Sept) with the semi final fixed for Friday, 13th and final on Friday, 20th Sept.
MINOR FOOTBALL: East Kerry 1-16; Austin Stacks 2-8.
For the second season in a row we lost to East Kerry at the semi final stage of the Co. Championship. Last year’s winning margin was nine points (3-9 to 2-3) but on lastTuesday evening (20th Aug) in Castleisland the margin was five points. Those five points were scored in the closing minutes of the game after the sides were level for the 5th time (2-8 to 1-11) with eight minutes of normal time remaining.
We got off to the perfect start with Seán Quilter winning the throw-in and linking well with his mid-field partner, Dara Barry Walsh who pointed after 22 seconds. Two minutes later East Kerry opened their account. Then we went ahead again with two Conor Myers pointed frees inside the tenth minute.
Then the game was level again within three minutes when East Kerry put over two from play. In the 16th minute they got through for what turned out to be their only goal of the game. They could have gone further ahead a minute later but for a brilliant save by Ben Quilter. Both sides then had two points each during the next six minutes – our two coming from a long distance effort from play by Seán Quilter and one from a Conor Myers free after Seán was fouled.
Then in the 24th minute we were really back in the game when a brilliant move involving Pádraic Linnane and Shane Bastible saw Mervyn Shalamba put away a beauty low into the net to level matters again. A point by each side in the closing minutes of the half left the sides level at half time with 1-6 each.
Playing now with the aid of the strong wind East Kerry took control and had put over five points without reply, twelve minutes after the resumption. Our first score ,of this half came from a Seán Quilter free in the 43rd minute. Then an East Kerry point, two minutes later saw them four ahead at the end of the third quarter (1-11 to 1-7).
But in the space of the next two minutes we were back on level terms with a superb goal from half-time substitute, Jordan Kissane and a Conor Myers pointed free. However that was our last score of the game while East Kerry went on to score five more points and go through to the final of the competition where they will meet St. Brendans who had an eleven points victory (3-18 to 1-13) in their semi final win over Rathmore.
Niall Fitzmaurice not starting through injury and Pádraic Linnane having to retire with an injury six minutes before the break did not help our cause. So a reasonably good season by our Minors – winners in the Town League – and making very good progress in the Co. Championship and managed by five of the greats of the Rock Club – Tim McMahon, Mikey Collins, Colm Mangan, T. J. Sheehan and Dave Scanlon.
Team: Ben Quilter, Eoghan Carroll, Luke Chester, David Burke, Eoghan Carroll, Pádraig Linnane, Adam Curran, Daniel O’Rourke, Seán Quilter (Capt) (0-3 – two frees), Dara Barry Walsh (0-1), Armin Heinrich, Shane Bastible, Mervyn Shalamba (1-0), Cian Purcell, Conor Myers (0-4 – frees), Craig Teahan.
Subs used: Joey Nagle (24m), Jordan Kissane (ht) (1-0), Conor Horan (44m), Greg Scanlon (45m), Tom O’Farrell (52m), Ciarán Kelliher (59m).
U21 FOOTBALL: East Kerry 1-14; Austin Stacks 2-9.
Even though we eventually lost by two points it could still be regarded as one of the greatest come-backs of all come-backs. We trailed by 0-6 to 0-2 at half time – both of our points coming from frees – Ferdia O’Brien after 15 minutes and Seán Quilter on the stroke of half time.
Then ten minutes into the second half we looked really dead and buried when we trailed by 1-10 to 0-2. But in a ten minute spell (41st to 51st) we scored 1-7 without reply to leave us just one behind at that stage (1-10 to 1-9). Some of those scores, in their execution and build-up were some of the best of the evening.
Second half substitute Gearóid Sheehan got the ball rolling with a pointed free followed by two from Seán Quilter (one from a free). Two minutes after came our first goal. Adam Curran intercepted a dangerous East Kerry attack, found Eoghan Carroll who passed to Ferdia O’Brien and Ferdia found the on-rushing Dylan Casey who was brought down in the square and Ferdia coolly sent the ball low to the keepers left.
David Fitzmaurice then won the kick-out and from distance sent over a beauty. Dylan Casey then put over after good work by Gearóid Sheehan, followed quickly by two super pointed frees from Seán Quilter (1-10 to 1-9 at that stage).
East Kerry then added two more points in the space of two minutes to leave them three ahead again after 53 minutes. Then, with two minutes of normal time remaining, Dara Barry Walsh launched a high ball into the square which deceived everyone and went all the way to the net and bring us level for the first time in the game (2-9 to 1-12).
However a shell-shocked East Kerry regrouped and in the next six minutes (there was four minutes of additional time) added what turned out to be those last winning two points of the game.
So for a second season in a row we were just pipped at the post by the same opposition to prevent us from reaching our first final since 2003.
But when you consider that only two of the 19 who played in last evenings final were actually 21 and five had lined out with the Minors two days before this augurs well for next season with a commitment from Team Manager, Wayne Quillinan and his colleagues Jonathan Conway, Paudie McQuinn, Eamonn O’Reilly, John O’Sullivan and Mikey Collins to be there also in 2020. Well done lads for a super season even if it didn’t end with silverware.
Team: Robbie Murphy, Shane Kelliher, Dylan Casey (Capt) (0-1), Dara Barry Walsh (1-0), Adam Curran, Brandon Patterson, Shane Walsh, Joseph O’Connor, David Fitzmaurice (0-1), Donagh McMahon, Michael O’Gara, Donagh McKivergan, Seán Quilter (0-5 – four frees), Conor Myers, Ferdia O’Brien (1-1 – penalty goal; pointed free).
Subs used: Gearóid Sheehan (ht) (0-1), Gearóid Fitzgerald (ht), Luke Chester (36m), Eoghan Carroll (36m).
WELL DONE: to Daniel O’Rourke, Donnacha Sayers (son of Denis) and their Crotta O’Neills team mates on that brilliant victory in the Co. Minor Hurling Championship Final last Sunday, defeating Ballyduff in dramatic fashion by 1-11 to 0-13.
1969 SH CELEBRATION: And also in Austin Stack Park on Sunday the Co. Board honoured the Killarney and Austin Stacks SH teams who contested the 1969 Final – fifty years ago.
And what a turn-out there was from both teams and by family reps of those who are no longer with us. Well done to the Co. Board, especially Ger McCarthy (Hurling Officer) and John O’Leary (former PRO), for organizing the event.
And a special thanks to our own members, especially John Barry (who was team captain on that day), Ger Reidy and Seamus McCarthy for their help in contacting our 17 players who are still hale and hearty and the family reps of the seven who have passed away. And a final thanks to the Meadowlands Hotel where everyone gathered for a superb meal before making their way to Austin Stack Park.
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 (19th August) Jackpot, worth €11,850, was not won. The numbers drawn were 3, 7, 23, 29.
The €20 winners were: Pa Laide, c/o Club Rockies; Chris McKivergan, Marie O’Connor and Sarah Hobbert, all c/o The Club; and Aoife O’Neill, c/o Carmel O’Neill.
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: Noreen McKiernan (nee McDonagh), Mitchels Road; Esther Brosnan (nee Fitzpatrick), Kerins Park and formerly Cahill’s Park and Dalton’s Terrace, The Rock; Jack McKivergan, Monalee and formerly Rock St. and Co. Down (father of Catriona, Brian and Martin and grandfather of Maeve, Donagh and Eoghan McKivergan and Luke Chester); and Ted Kennelly, Castleisland and formerly Castle Street.
