ROCK & ROSE VICTORY SOCIAL: Tickets at €35 are on sale at present for the Club Social which takes place at the Rose Hotel on Saturday, 22nd February. There will be a special sale of tickets in the Clubhouse on this Friday night (7th Feb) from 8 to 9pm.
BALLOONAGH FUNDRAISER: Scoil Eoin, Balloonagh Primary School is organising a Valentine’s Ball to raise funds to develop playgrounds and playing areas around the new school structure.
The Ball will be held in Ballygarry House Hotel on Friday week, February 14th.
Proceedings will begin with a Garnish Island Gin reception accompanied by classical pianist Deirdre Millane.
This will be followed by a five course meal and then dancing to Arklight followed by a disco by DJ Manus Leane. Cocktail/black tie attire is optional.
The organising committee has invited the Austin Stack Club to take a table at the Ball, seating ten people.
Chairman, Billy Ryle would like the Club to accept the invitation from our neighbours and friends if 10 club members are prepared to pay €100 each per ticket. Any Club member interested in buying a ticket to attend the Ball please contact Billy at 0879808979.
SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-15 (18); Ballymac 2-5 (11).
Our lads got their season off to a winning start when they had seven points to spare in this opening round of the Town League played in Connolly Park on last Sunday afternoon (2nd Feb). Despite playing into a very strong wind in the first half we went in at half time on level terms (0-8 to 2-2).
After Gearóid Fitzgerald opened the scoring in the fifth minute Ballymac got through for the first of their two goals just over two minutes later. But we were back in the lead again by the 16th minute with three successive points – two from Michael O’Donnell (one from a free) and Gearóid Fitzgerald putting over his second. But the visitors were back in command again by the 20th minute with a point from play and a goal from a penalty.
However our lads responded well, putting over four more points in succession in the last eight minutes of the half – two from play by Shane O’Callaghan, one from a free by Michael O’Donnell and a punched effort by Fiachna Mangan.
Deep in added time Ballymac leveled matters again for the 4th time in the game as referee Ronan Moore blew for half time.
The elements now favoured us in the second half and we went on to add a further 1-7 to 0-3 for the opposition. Michael O’Donnell scored 1-4 of this total with the other three points coming from Wayne Guthrie, Fiachna Mangan and centre back, Jack Morgan.
Team: Robbie Murphy, Colin Griffin, Ronan Shanahan (Capt), John Murphy, Shane Walsh, Jack Morgan (0-1), Ciarán O’Connell, Joseph O’Connor, David Fitzmaurice, Ciarán O’Reilly, Fiachna Mangan (0-2), Michael O’Donnell (1-7 – 3 frees), Shane O’Callaghan (0-2), Wayne Guthrie (0-1), Gearóid Fitzgerald (0-2).
Subs used: Donagh McKivergan (35m), Barry Walsh (38m), Pádraig Looney (43m), Andrew Morrissey (51m), Shane Kelliher (54m).
We have three more rounds to play now in the Town League against Kerins O’Rahillys (to be played in Strand Road on next Sunday – 9th Feb at 12.30pm), and then against Na Gaeil, and John Mitchels on dates yet to be confirmed.
CONGRATULATIONS: All in the Senior squad and in the Club in general send congratulations and best wishes to Wayne Guthrie and his partner, Rachel Browne, on the birth of their baby boy (Grayson Guthrie) on Monday morning (3rd Feb).
MINOR FOOTBALL: Our Minors are due to open their season on this Tuesday evening (4th Feb) with a home game against Ballymac in round one of the Town League. Throw in at 6.15 under lights in Connolly Park. Then on the following Tuesday (11th Feb) we are at home to Na Gaeil in round 2. The 3rd and final round will be against Kerins O’Rahillys on a date yet to be confirmed.
In the first round of the Co. League we are at home to Rathmore on Saturday week (15th Feb).
CLOTHES RECYCLING COLLECTION: Our Ladies Club has now confirmed that their annual Clothes Recycling Fundraiser will take place on Saturday week 15th February and ask that everyone start collecting well in advance. We will accept –Mens, Womens & Childrens Clothing, Household Textiles ie Curtains & Towels, Soft toys, Shoes, Handbags, Belts. We cannot accept duvets or pillows. All items must be clean & dry.
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.
Bar opening hours are as follows: 7pm to 12.30am on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays, and 12 noon to 11pm on Sundays.
CARDS: The 45 Card Sessions continue in the Clubhouse on every Monday and Thursday nights, commencing at 9.30pm each night.
LOTTO: Last Night’s (3rd February) Jackpot, worth €13,100, was not won. The numbers drawn were 8, 9, 21, 27.
The €20 winners were: John Kelliher and Veron Costello, both c/o Rock Street Post Office; Mike Naughton, c/o Carmel O’Neill; and David Courtney and Seán Power, both c/o The Club.
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. And from now on tickets will also be on sale at Kevin Barry’s Shop in Rock Street.
We continue to remind members that we are in competition with other clubs until April 2020 to retain our very important Lotto Franchise at our local post office on Rock St. Every time you are in the post office let Martin and staff know that you are a Rockie and to register your transaction in favour of Austin Stacks. The Club with the most points will win the franchise.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – John Hill, Ballynahoulort (father of former Club Footballer Ger and grandfather of Rory, Cian and Seán who have all played with us); Mary O’Connell (nee O’Riordan), Fortfield, Killerisk and formerly Oakpark Demesne (mother of former Club Footballer, Kieran and sister of former Club Footballer, John O’Riordan); Ellen (Eileen) Brosnan, Connolly Park; Denis Walsh, Strand Street; and Catherine Dillon (nee Foley), Balloonagh Estate and formerly Glannagillagh, Caragh Lake.
