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CHAIRMAN’S APPEAL: Club Chairman, Billy Ryle is continuing to appeal to Rockies everywhere to keep making donations to the fund to help build the path with disability access. The new path will prevent footfall damage on the pitches.
It will also facilitate disability access to the far terrace in Connolly Park for those who are wheelchair bound or unsteady on their feet.
The Árd Charraig terrace in Connolly Park is more sheltered with sun, rain and wind at your back. Billy would like it to be accessible to all supporters.
Every single donation, big or small, will be gratefully received. Please, also share the link with as many people as possible. The donation facility will remain open for the next few weeks. Please donate and share the link, https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-bracker-100km..
SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 2-5; Kilcummin 1-6.
Credit to both sides for putting up such an entertaining encounter, despite the dreadful weather conditions in Connolly Park on last Saturday evening (1st Aug). The very heavy rain which fell all afternoon, and which continued right up to half time in game, was definitely the main factor in such a low-scoring game.
Kieran Donaghy about to shot. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
Almost seven minutes had elapsed before the first score came – a pointed free by David Mannix after Kieran Donaghy was fouled. David was on target from the spot again, three minutes later, this time after a foul on Joseph O’Connor.
Then in the 13th minute we really got going. Ronan Shanahan, from his centre-back position, found Michael O’Gara with a perfect pass, whose high ball into the square was broken down by Star into the path of Darragh O’Brien and Darragh shot low to the net.
But we failed to score again between then and half time while Kilcummin added five points in succession (two from frees) to draw level at the break (1-2 to 0-5).
They went further ahead then, six minutes after the resumption when they netted from a penalty to put them three ahead. This was still the difference between the sides after 53 minutes when both sides had only a point each in that 15 minute spell – ours coming from a Shane O’Callaghan free.
This happened to be Kilcummin’s last score while we finished the game as we started it – scoring 1-2 without reply. Joseph O’Connor put over in the 55th minute and this was followed, three minutes later, by our second goal of the game, which put us back in the lead again.
Out near the side-line Brendan O’Sullivan’s accurate shot across goal was fielded again by Star, who found Shane O’Callaghan and Calla, from a tight angle, guided the ball to the net.
Shane O’Callaghan celebrates his goal. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
The last score of the game came from a Darragh O’Brien free, following a foul on Fiachna Mangan.
Apart from the result it was great to see Dylan Casey and Greg Horan making their first appearances of the season and both made a significant contribution to the victory. Greg’s last game was almost a year ago when he lined out in our Town Championship Final win against John Mitchels on the 24th August 2019.
Team: Wayne Guthrie, Colin Griffin, Barry Shanahan, Paul O’Sullivan, Jack Morgan, Ronan Shanahan (Capt), Dylan Casey, Joseph O’Connor (0-1), Brendan O’Sullivan, Michael O’Gara, Darragh O’Brien (1-1 – pointed free), David Fitzmaurice, Seán Quilter, Kieran Donaghy, David Mannix (0-2 frees).
Subs used: Shane O’Callaghan (ht) (1-1 – pointed free), Fiachna Mangan (ht), Donagh McMahon (43m), Barry Walsh (48m), Greg Horan (63m).
Thanks again to all our members who helped out in the preparation for the game and for making everything run so smoothly before, during and after the game, despite the terrible conditions.
In the 3rd and final round we travel to Derreen to play Killarney Legion next Saturday (8th Aug)with a 5pm throw-in. While our Senior Championship status is guaranteed for another season this is a must win game if we have to stay in contention for a plac in the Club Championship Final.
Dingle and ourselves top the table on three points each with both sides having a similar score difference as well.
B FOOTBALL: Our B Team are in Group A of the Co. League. We are away to Dr. Crokes in round one on next Friday week (14th August). In round 2 we are at home to Rathmore on 4th Sept. and in the 3rd and final round we are away to Gneeveguilla on 11th September.
THE C TEAM: With no Barrett Cup competition this season our C Team must also do with the slimmed down League which, like the B team, will be confined to groups of four teams. Our three games are fixed for the same Friday evenings as our B team, though there are no venue clashes.
In round one we are at home to Ballymac on Friday week (14th Aug), in round 2 we are away to Listowel Emmets (4th Sept) and in round 3 we are at home to Annascaul (11th Sept).
MINOR FOOTBALL: After our draw away to Castlegregory in the opening round of this revised Co. League our two remaining rounds will both be at home – against Na Gaeil in round 2 on Saturday week (15th Aug) and against An Ghaeltach in the final round on Saturday 5th September. Both games have a start time of 4pm.
U17 FOOTBALL: South Kerry 2-11; Austin Stacks 1-8.
The score-line might indicate otherwise but this first round of the Co. Championship played in ideal conditions in Cahersiveen on this Monday evening (3rd Aug) could have gone either way. We were just three points down, deep in added time when a shot to eqaulise and take the game to extra time just went wide. And then from the kick-out South Kerry raced down field and scored a goal to put it out of our reach.
We were only on one occasion and that was inside the second minute when Donnacha Sayers opened the scoring with a pointed free after Jordan Kissane was fouled going through. We were just one point behid at half time (0-5 to 0-4).
All our four scores came from frees. Donnacha Sayers added two more with the fourth one coming from a Conor Horan free after Colm Browne was brought down after a brilliant run up field.
South Kerry raced into a two goal lead after they scored 1-2 inside the opening six minutes of the second half. But our lads never gave up and were back in the game within the next six minutes when Donnacha Sayers scored another free and he himself was fouled after another brilliant run and a long high ball into the square from team captain Armin Heinrich couldn’t be contained by the South Kerry keeper and and ended in the net.
Play was disrupted then for about eight minutes when a South Kerry players had to be stretchered off following an injury – we all wish him a speedy recovery. Between then and the closing minutes we added a further three points – two by Conor Horan and the other from Joey Nagle while South Kerry added four to leave them ahead by three as full time approached. And then came our goal chance and their converted goal as described earlier. See Club Website for further details.
Team: Ben Quilter, Donnacha Fox, Ruairí O’Connell, Jack Murphy, Colm Browne, Joey Nagle (0-1), Evan Foley, Armin Heinrich (Capt) (1-0), Dean Rusk, Toger Silong, Jordan Kissane, Conor Horan (0-3 – two frees), Gearóid Kilgallen, Donnacha Sayers (04 frees), Jack Hannon.
Subs used: Johnny Feely (49m), James Charles (55m).
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.
ONLINE CLUB SHOP OPEN – check out the newest ‘official’ Austin Stacks Club Merchandise – only available to order on this link (free delivery on any orders over €50) see www.oneills.com
CLUBHOUSE: Our Bar and Clubhouse continue to remain closed until further notice.
ONLINE LOTTO: This new initiative, which was launched recently, is to reach out to a much wider playing audience locally, nationally and worldwide. Playing the Austin Stacks Club Fundraising Lotto online will be very straight forward. It takes just six easy steps to play. All you need do is visit our club Website, Facebook Page or Twitter Account, click on the lotto links and follow the steps.
Online tickets purchased up to 6pm on a Monday will be included in that evening’s Lotto draw. Tickets purchased online after 6pm on a Monday will be included in the following Monday’s Lotto draw. Results of the Austin Stacks GAA Club fundraising Lotto draw are published weekly on our website, club notes and social media platforms.
LOTTO RESULTS: This Monday Night’s (3rd Aug) Jackpot, worth €13,400, was not won. The numbers drawn were 10, 15, 25, 27.
The €20 winners were Jerry Fitzmaurice, Ronan Kavanagh, Johnny Walsh and Simon Draghici, all c/o Club Rockies; and Eamon Quigley, c/o The Club.
We would be delighted to continue 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.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the family of Maurice (Moss) O’Sullivan, Fountain Court and formerly Mitchel’s Avenue who died during the past week.
