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Chairman’s Virus Appeal: Last March, I requested all members of our Club to comply fully with the GAA and the Government national public health guidelines against the coronavirus pandemic.
Our Club rose to the challenge and played its part in the battle against this deadly Covid-19 virus. As well as that, the Austin Stacks GAA Club Community Response to helping those in need showed the true character of the Club.
Our entire membership showed great restraint in complying with the safety regulations. The discipline, solidarity and high standards shown by our members reflected our core values.
Unfortunately, the virus is again all pervasive and I must, once again, request all members of the Club to comply with the recently issued GAA and Government guidelines, which are in place until the 31st January, at least.
The Club specific guidelines issued by the GAA are as follows. In level five, individual training only is permitted. Neither adult nor underage teams may train collectively. GAA club grounds must stay closed. Club games are not permitted.
Dressing rooms, showers and all other indoor training facilities must remain closed for club activities. Club Gyms must remain closed until further notice. No indoor meetings can be held. All officer training must be delivered online.
Outdoor coaching education courses are not permitted. Club Bars must remain closed until the current restrictions are lifted.
No organised indoor gatherings can take place under the current restrictions. Commercial use of indoor halls (for example by state bodies– e.g. HSE/Schools) is permitted where agreement was in place prior to last March and relevant insurances are in place.
These are the only instances in which indoor activity is permitted on GAA Club property. No outdoor gatherings on GAA property are permitted.
Please stay safe and avoid any breach of the regulations that could place yourself or any club colleagues or, indeed the public at large in danger of contracting the coronavirus. I assure you that we will get the training and games up and running for the sake of player mental health, welfare and wellbeing, as soon as it’s safe to do so. All social activity in the Club will resume when we are permitted to do so.
Death of Pa Fitzgerald: Another great Rockie and lover of greyhounds, Pa Fitzgerald, passed away peacefully on Wednesday (30th Dec) aged 88.
Pa first came to prominence in the sporting world seventy years ago when he made his Senior Football Championship debut with the Club on the 9th August 1950.
Just eleven days after (20th Aug) he played a prominent role in Kerry’s All Ireland MF semi final win against Antrim. That game was played in Austin Stack Park with Kerry having an easy win over the Ulster Champions on a scoreline of 2-9 to 0-1. Pa scored 1-3 of Kerry’s total that day.
Then over a month later he won an All Ireland MF medal with Kerry, along with his Club colleagues, Kevin Barry, Bobby Miller and Paddy O’Donnell. Pa was the man who got the ball rolling for Kerry that day when his perfect pass found his Club colleague, Bobby Miller for Kerry’s first goal.
Pa continued playing Senior for the Club right up to 1958, playing his last Championship game in a round one victory over John Mitchels (2-5 to 1-4) on the 11th May. Pa’s other great sporting passion was greyhound sports and one of his outstanding successes was when he trained a dog named Ballinderry Ash (owned by Duagh’s Patsy Byrne) that won the English Derby in 1991.
The Club extends its sincere sympathy to Pa’s brother, Brendan; to his sisters Rose and Teresa; to his nephew, John; his nieces, Helen, Angela, Siobhán and Liz; and to all his extended family and friends on their sad loss.
Club AGM: Due to Covid 19 restrictions and following guidance from Croke Park, this year’s club AGM will be held virtually via Microsoft teams on Wednesday 13th January, 2021 at 7.30pm. If you wish to participate please email secretary.austinstacks.kerry@gaa.ie and a link “to join the meeting” on January 13th will be emailed to you. All those participating will receive copies of the 2019 minutes, Agenda, Secretary’s Report & Finance report in advance. To help manage the meeting in this forum we recommend that any queries/comments regarding the various reports be submitted by email prior to the meeting so that they can be addressed on the night of the AGM.
Congratulations: To Assistant Club Secretary & member of the C team Management team Ricky Moloney & his wife Caitriona on the birth of their baby daughter, Fiadh, on January 1st. Fiadh taking the title of Kerry’s 1st baby of 2021.
Online Club Shop: A full range of official Austin Stacks Merchandise – jerseys, shorts, hoodies, jackets – kids, ladies, men’s is available to purchase online from our O’Neill’s Sport online shop – see shop link on home page of club website www.austinstacks.ie
Lotto Results: Last Night’s (Jan 4th) Jackpot, worth €13,400, was not won. The numbers drawn were 5, 24, 28 & 32. The €20 winners were Kevin Barry & Jim Naughton c/o Club Rockies and Sharon Walsh & Carmel O’Neill c/o the Club. Please note in line with current Covid restrictions our weekly lotto draw is suspended for the next 3 Monday nights. It is intended that the next draw will take place on Monday February 1st subject to new Covid guidelines being issued at that time.
Sympathy: Sincere sympathy is also offered to the families of the following who died recently: Stephen O’Donoghue, Tobar Naofa, Dean’s Lane and formerly of Enniscorthy; Josephine Hannah Connolly née Browne, Hacketstown, Carlow and formerly Clogher (Tralee); Garry Moore, Leedale, Caherslee & formerly of Pembroke St.; Patrick (Paudie) Murphy, Clogher, Ballyard and Mary McKenna (nee O’Brien) Knockmoyle, Tralee and formerly of St. Mary’s Terrace, Killarney (wife of Tom Mc Kenna, former Club Hurler)
