SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-14; Kerins O’Rahillys 1-9

On a beautiful night for football at Austin Stack Park last Saturday (24th Jan) our Seniors had a good win in the 2014 Town Championship Final thereby regaining the Roddy O’Donnell Cup which they last won in 2010.

It was a good workout in preparation for our forthcoming All Ireland semi final with passages of some brilliant football from both sides. We had a very good start and led by 1-5 to no score after 16 minutes – our goal coming from Darragh O’Brien in the 16th minute.

Rahillys came more into the game in the closing 10 minutes of the half and at the break we led by 1-7 to 0-5. Other that Darragh, six others got on the score sheet during that first half – David Mannix (2), Denis McElligott, Wayne Guthrie, Greg Horan, Shane Carroll (free) and Shane O’Callaghan.

At the restart Kieran Donaghy tapped down to William Kirby who had just come on as a sub, he transferred to Greg Horan who found Shane O’Callaghan on the run, and Calla slotted over his second of the game after just 16 seconds.

Further points followed from Shane Carroll (2), David Mannix and who else but Pa McCarthy which left us comfortably ahead by 1-12 to 0-6 at the end of the third quarter.

But like the first half Strand Road had a good closing period and scored 1-3 to 0-2 in the last 10 minutes – our two coming from Shane Carroll and Greg Horan.

Again our defence was superb with Barry Shanahan and Conor Jordan, in particular, outstanding, and Seán Ryan looking very sharp when introduced at half time.

Shane O’Callaghan won the Man of the Match Award and team captain, Barry Shanahan, was presented with the Roddy O’Donnell Cup by Town Board Chairman, Pat McAuliffe.

The Cup, of course, is in honour of the great Mitchels and Kerry footballer who died suddenly at the young age of 40 just over 30 years ago on 7th January 1985.

Team: Darragh O’Brien, Fearghal MacNamara, Barry Shanahan (Capt), John Dennis, Pa McCarthy (0-1), Conor Jordan, Denis McElligott (0-1), Wayne Guthrie (0-1), Greg Horan (0-2) David Mannix (0-3), Shane Carroll (0-4 – 2 frees), Michael Collins, Darragh O’Brien (1-0), Kieran Donaghy, Shane O’Callaghan (0-2).

Subs used: William Kirby (ht), Seán Ryan (ht), Darragh Long (50m), Fiachna Mangan (blood sub 25m to 29m and full sub from 56m).

 

SENIOR FOOTBALL CO. LEAGUES 2015:

While it’s hard for Rockies to concentrate on anything other than our forthcoming trip to Portlaoise in a few weeks time and, hopefully, after that a trip to Croker, nonetheless the draw and dates have already been made for all Divisions in the 2015 SF Co. Leagues.

For the first time since 1993 our B team are back in Division 5 of the Senior League. Both Divisions – one and five – will have eleven games and in four of the 11 rounds both our teams will have a home game on the same weekend, so if Connolly Park is to be the venue then one game will have to be on Saturday evening and the other on the Sunday afternoon.

In Div 1 our Seniors play Waterville (h) in R1 on 22nd March; R2 Kilcummin (a) 29th March; R3 Glenbeigh/Glencar (a) 12th April; R4 Dr. Crokes (h) 10th May which will double up as the 2014 League Final; R5 Milltown/Castlemaine (a) 7th June; R6 Dingle (h) 14th June; R7 Kerins O’Rahillys (a) 28th June; R8 Legion (h) 26th July; R9 St. Michaels/Foilmore (a) 16thAug; R10 Finuge (h) 27th Sept: and R11 Desmonds (a) on a date tbc.

In Divison 5 our B team’s opening game will involve a trip south to play Sneem/Derrynane; R2 Ballyduff (h); R3 Duagh (a); R4 Knocknagoshel (h); R5 Reenard (a); R6 Asdee (h); R7 Tuosist (a); R8 Moyvane (h); R9 Kilgarvan (a); R10 Ballylongford (h); and R11 Valentia (h). All rounds on the same weekend as the Division 1 rounds.

MINOR FOOTBALL:

The Minor Football Co. League Groupings have also been published and with us in Division 1 are four teams from last season – Dr. Crokes, Kerins O’Rahillys, Dingle and Spa – and joining Div 1 this season for the first time is Ballydonoghue.

The Co. Boards Masters Fixtures Plan gives the following dates for the five rounds of the qualifiers – 21st Feb; 7th and 14th March; 3rd and 17th April. The semi final is fixed for 24th April with the final on the 15th May.

But before that the Town League is due to commence on this coming Sunday (1st Feb) with a trip to Ballymac for a 12 noon start. Then in round 2 we are at home to Na Gaeil on the following Sunday (8th Feb) with the 3rd and final round away to Kerins O’Rahillys on Saturday, 14th Feb. The top two teams qualify for the Final on a date to be fixed.

It’s good to see John O’Sullivan back with the MF Management again this season and John will be joined by three new men – Gene O’Donnell, Eamon O’Reilly and Brian Morgan. All four of course will be no strangers to the panel of players as they have been with them at one time or another up along the Juvenile ranks.

WELL DONE:

There were two cracking All Ireland semi finals last Sunday involving Kerry Clubs. Congratulations to Ardfert who qualified for the Intermediate final and also to Brosna who live to fight another day after their semi final ended in a draw after extra time.

CORPORATE LUNCH:

All is now in readiness for the Corporate Lunch Fundraiser which goes ahead in Ballygarry House Hotel on this Friday (30th Jan) from 1pm to 4.30pm. Thanks once again to everyone for their support – the proceeds of which will go towards the cost of our new pitch development.

CONGRATULATIONS:

Caroline and Liam Kennedy (former Club Hurler and Footballer) on the recent birth of baby daughter, Amy – another grand-daughter for Pat Joe and Mary McQuinn.

CONNOLLY PARK RESIDENTS:

The Annual Connolly Park Residents’ Party, held in the Clubhouse last Sunday week, was another very enjoyable occasion. The Organising Committee would like to thank everyone who attended and to all who made the event possible in any way, especially Noel O’Connell, Brendan O’Regan, Damien Hogan, Terry Healy, Aidan O’Connor, Ian Carroll and his Bar Staff and all the Musician and Singers who performed.

ANNIVERSARY:

Next Saturday (31st Jan) is the 25th anniversary of the death of another great Club and County GAA man, Frank King. In the late forties and fifties Frank played both Hurling and Football with the Club. Later he served on the Club Committee, first as Vice Chairman and then as Chairman from 1971 to 1975, during which time he oversaw the arrival at our new home in Connolly Park and the start of the second Golden Era with that 1973 Co. Championship win.

During that period he also served as Vice Chairman of the Co. Board and then served as Chairman from 1979 to 1987, during Kerry’s most successful period on the field of play. For the last two years of his life he served as Chairman of the Town Board and one of his last functions was when he performed the official opening of our new Clubrooms in May 1989.

BINGO: Continues on this and every Saturday night commencing at 8.30pm.

CLUBHOUSE: As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties. Phone Ian from 7pm at 066 7126942 for bookings.

CARDS: The 45 Card Sessions continue in the Clubhouse every Monday and Thursday nights commencing at 9.30pm.

LOTTO: Last Monday’s (19th Jan) Jackpot worth €5,000 was not won. The numbers drawn were 3, 16, 26, 27.
The €20 Prizes went to Jack and Chris McKivergan, both c/o John Breen; Brian Tess, c/o Charlie Healy; John Collins, c/o The Club and Siobhán Naughton, c/o Club Rockies.

SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Hazel McQuinn (nee Bullows), Oakpark Road; Margaret (Peg) Mullins, Oakview and late of Ballybunion; John O’Callaghan, Derrylea and late of Casement’s Avenue; Gertrude McPolin (nee McClean), Kearney’s Road, Ballyard and late of Inch Island, Donegal; and Marcella O’Sullivan (nee Crowson), Gort Na Gréine.