SENIOR FOOTBALL: Round 8 of the Co. League goes ahead in Connolly Park on next Saturday evening (25th July) with Killarney Legion the opposition. Throw in 7pm.
Legion are currently in third spot on the League table, just one point behind League leaders, Dr. Crokes and level with Castleisland Desmonds, both of them on 10pts.
By contrast we are in 5th spot on 8 points. So this looks like a must win game for us if we are to be in with any chance of retaining our League title.
CONGRATULATIONS: to the Kerry Senior Footballers on winning their 77th Munster Crown in rain-drenched Killarney last Saturday evening. And well done to Kieran Donaghy who became the first Rock man to lift the Munster Cup since Ger Power did it 35 years ago in July 1980.
JUNIOR B FOOTBALL: John Mitchels 3-10; Austin Stacks 0-5.
Our B team lost away to Mitchels in round 2 of the Town League last Friday (17th July).
The first of our three remaining Co. League games goes ahead in Connolly Park on Sunday next (26th July) with a 2pm start. The opposition – Moyvane – are 3rd on the League Table on 8 points along with three other teams, just one point behind League leaders, Valentia. We on the other hand find ourselves with 4 points, on 9th spot.
U21 FOOTBAL: John Mitchels 0-16; Austin Stacks 0-13.
This 4th quarter final of the County Championship played at the Mitchels home ground on a fine, sunny Wednesday evening (15th July) saw both sides dominate for periods but it was the home side who were ahead by three points at the end of an absorbing contest.
At one stage, coming up to half time, we were ahead by six points. But at half time that lead was reduced to three when Mitchels converted three free (we led at half time by 0-8 to 0-). Ferdia O’Brien opened the scoring in the 3rd minutes when he converted a free following a foul on Seán Dukes. By half time Ferdia had added a further three (two from play) and other points came from Seán Ryan (2) and Colin Griffin.
In the 19th minute Ciarán O’Connell can consider himself most unlucky when he saw his goal-bound shot saved by the Mitchels keeper.
It was evenly contested for most of the second half with that three points half time margin (0-13 to 0-10) still separating the sides with four minutes of normal time remaining. But in those closing minutes plus four of added time, Mitchels took control, adding six points without reply.
It was a very entertaining encounter all through. Two brilliant saves by Paddy Fitzgibbon in the 36th and 46th minutes kept us in the game and apart from those already mentioned there was also some brilliant individual performances from team captain Alan Duggan and Joseph O’Kelly.
Team: Patrick Fitzgibbons, Paul Galvin, Eoghan McKivergan, Darragh Scanlon, Jack O’Shea (0-1). Barry Walsh, Joseph O’Kelly, Ciarán O’Connell, Alan Duggan (Capt), Colin Griffin (0-1), Seán Ryan (0-2), Breandán Caball, Seán Dukes, Calvin Foley (0-1), Ferdia O’Brien (0-8 – 5 frees).
Subs used: Tommy Hutchinson (28m), Shane Walsh (43). Seán Hurley (blood sub for Joseph O’Kelly, 50m to 54m).
John Mitchels will have another meeting of neighbours when the take on Kerins O’Rahilly in the semi final of the Co. Championship. East Kerry and An Ghaeltacht will contest the other semi final. Both games are fixed for Wednesday, 29th July.
We now prepare for the U21 Club Championship which usually begins in August.
MINOR FOOTBALL: Our Minors are due to play Dingle in Connolly Park on this Monday evening (20th July) in round 3 of the Central League.
CONGRATULATIONS: to Radio Kerry who celebrated the 25th anniversary of their establishment last week. Many Rockies have been associated with the Station down the years, most noteably the late Seamus O’Mahony who was the Station’s first Head of Sport, succeeded now by his son, Joe. Current connections include Timmy Sheehan, Elma Nix and Andrew Morrissey.
BINGO: continues on this and every Saturday night commencing at 8.30pm.
CLUBHOUSE: As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties. For Bookings phone Des at 066 7126942 after 8pm any evening.
CARDS: The 45 Card Sessions continue in the Clubhouse every Monday and Thursday Nights, commencing at 9.30pm each night.
LOTTO: Last Monday’s (13th July) Jackpot worth €5,000 was not won. The numbers drawn were 2, 26, 28 and 30.
The €20 Prizes went to Joanne Leahy, c/o Pa Laide; Willie Goulding and Mike Kenny, both c/o The Club; John Breen, c/o Club Rockies; and Noreen McMahon, c/o Carmel Quilter.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died during the past week – Martin Flynn, Carlow and late of Tralee (brother of Bertie); Noelette O’Grady (nee Sheehan), Derrylea (wife of former Mitchels footballers, Michael Buddy and sister of former Club footballer, Timmy Sheehan); Jackie Crowe, Gallowsfield and late of Ballyheigue: Kathleen O’Mahony (neeLucey), Mitchels Court and late of Casement’s Avenue; Julia Mason (nee O’Connor), Carrignafeela, Rathanny and late of Castle Street; and Richard ‘Dick’ Barrett, Racecourse Lawn and late of Geesala (Co. Mayo).
