CLUB MEMBERSHIP: We wish to thank sincerely all our club members who have continued to pay their 2020 Club & Club Rockies memberships via direct debit.
With no other fundraising options available to us this revenue has been our only source of income for several weeks now and this will be the situation for some time to come. Your membership money has been used to continue to make repayments on our bank loans, pay our property insurance bill (2020 fee €4,590) and to continue to maintain the grounds in Connolly Park.
CLUB LOTTO: Austin Stacks like most clubs had to suspend their weekly lotto during the lock down but we are now pleased to advise that our weekly Club lotto draw will resume on next Monday, June 1st. Due to reduced lotto sales (we are still unable to sell our lotto in the community/local bars etc due to covid restrictions) the Club Executive has taken the decision to cap our Jackpot Prize at €13,400 for the moment. Please note our 5 X €20 lotto cash prizes per week will continue as usual. Draws will take place within HSE restrictions & under the scrutiny of a mix of several Executive & Club Members as usual on Monday nights. Winning numbers to be posted on our club social media platforms and in club notes.
Our lotto draw on June 1st will be a thank you to those who have stuck with us and will be restricted to include everyone who has paid their membership in full or continued to pay their club membership in monthly instalments via direct debit. Tickets will also be on sale at Kevin Barry’s Shop for those of you who usually purchase your tickets from other outlets or from our sellers. Then from June 8th we will open our lotto to also include those who wish to play online. Playing online also includes an option to play for someone else should you know anyone who wishes to support the club by purchasing a weekly lotto ticket.
We are disappointed to advise that the post office on Rock St will no longer sell Austin Stacks GAA club lotto tickets, and have from April 2020 awarded the franchise to another GAA club in the town for the next 3 years. We wish to thank Kevin Barry’s Shop, Rock St who has come on board as a lotto ticket agent for us.
We would be delighted to hear from any other businesses who wish to sell lotto tickets for Austin Stacks GAA Club. If interested please get in contact with Bernie on 086 0767415 and in exchange we will promote your business, special offers and products to our vast membership through our extremely popular social media outlets which command a very high following.
GAA Clubs everywhere are busy supporting their communities through voluntary work so we ask you to please support and promote our lotto to your family & friends, we would very much appreciate it.
Our thanks to Club Secretary, Elma Nix for the above two reports.
STACKS 100: We continue to remind all club members that our Award Winning Stacks 100 website is now available to view – check out club memories, matches & podcasts – a great way to spend an enjoyable few minutes or hours and hours and hours . . . www.stacks100.ie.
COMMUNITY COVID 19 RESPONCE: Austin Stacks continue to support Kerry Co Council’s coordinated Covid-19 response.
Anyone seeking assistance is asked to phone the Kerry COVID-19 Community Helpline for non-emergency and non-medical assistance: Need a delivery of fuel? Need a delivery of food/groceries? Need a delivery of medical supplies? Need other advice or support? Pick up the phone and ring 1800 807 009.
Elma also informs us that she has received an update stating that our club grounds must remain closed except for essential maintenance until July 20th and a reminder that the player injury insurance scheme is suspended and specifically that players participating in online training programmes are not cover by the GAA injury insurance scheme should an injury occur. Wayne has circulated this message to all our senior players over the weekend.
FIELD COMMITTEE: Thanks to our Field Committee, led by Jim Naughton, who organized a Club Clean-up last Saturday morning. A team of Club volunteers put in several hours of strimming, painting and brushing leaving a splendid Connolly Park behind them. Sincere thanks to you all.
And mention of painting what another class act has been performed on our Clubhouse wall, and elsewhere of course, by artist supreme, Mike O’Donnell. Well done again Michael. If you can’t view it in the flesh go to our Club Website to see this splendid artistry.
THE LATE BETTY ANN O’CARROLL: Betty Ann was a quiet, unassuming gentle person, always smiling and loved the fun of training and travelling to matches on the buses, especially the sing song. Having spoken to former team mates they all say the same. A lovely person.
She joined the Ladies Club when she came along to training with her Dad, Moss and brother, Kevin, Moss was the ladies trainer at the time, and both Betty Ann and Kevin stayed behind the goals, but eventually Betty Ann was coaxed out to train, and found she loved it.
Betty Ann’s first game for Stacks was in May 1978 with a win over Ardfert in the County League. She started at corner forward in 6 of the ’79 county league games. She was a sub on the Kerry U-16 Team that lost the Munster final to Tipp by 4 points. She won her senior county championship medal in 79 also.
She played at corner forward in the 1980 Munster Club Final which Stacks lost to Newtownshandrom.
Played in the 1980 league season at corner forward and was centre forward for Stacks u-16 team that lost the 1980 county semi final in controversial circumstances to Ballydonoghue.
She was also part of the All Ireland winning Kerry Minor Squad in 80/81. Betty Ann was also an outstanding basketball player for her school Balloonagh. Betty Ann was a true team player never missed a training session never complained and always put the team first, her smiley face at training will always be remembered, a true Rockie lady.
She is survived by her husband Mike, adored son Jack, brother Kevin and extended family and many friends. May Her Gentle Soul Rest in Peace.
Our thanks to Anne Eager for this wonderful tribute.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is also offered to the families of the following who died recently – Ellen (Ciss) Clifford (nee Day), Garyruth, Ballymullen and formerly Castlemaine; Mary O’Keeffe (nee Casey), Oakpark and formerly Maglass and Kiskeam; Maurice Spillane, Balloonagh Estate and formerly Scartaglin (one of the outstanding GAA personalities through his work at Austin Stack Park and Caherslee in particular); Fr. William (Billy) O’Carroll, St. Patrick’s Missionary Society, Kiltegan and formerly Tralee; Sr. Laboure Sheehy, Mercy Convent, Balloonagh and formerly Kilcara, Duagh; and John McCarthy, St. Brendan’s Park.
Your welcome