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CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE.
I had hoped that we would be able to resume activities in February. That has not happened as the virus is still very virulent. All our facilities will remain in total lockdown until 5th March.
As a united club, we have been noble in complying with Government and GAA directives to-date. That must continue for as long as it takes to suppress this dreadful virus.
The official position of Austin Stacks GAA Club is that we are in full lockdown and all activities are suspended in line with public health and GAA regulations.
Austin Stacks has always promoted high standards, good discipline, unity of purpose and patriotism in the face of a national crisis. Once again, we are wearing the green jersey to combat the coronavirus.
However, I am asking all our members to please keep in mind that, while each one of us must lead by example, at the end of the day we are all volunteers. All breaches of public health regulations and civil law are a matter for Garda Siochána.
As Club Chairman, I feel a strong duty of care for the safety and wellbeing of our entire membership. In the current tense environment, a growing number of people are taking exception to the restrictions.
Please do not put your personal safety at risk by confronting trespassers on our pitches or in our buildings. We saw the tragic consequences of a well-meant intervention by a talented young sportsman in Dublin last week. His life was cruelly ended in a matter of seconds.
Austin Stacks fully concurs with outgoing GAA President, John Horan’s views that the GAA’s reaction to the coronavirus pandemic has served the country well.
As he magnanimously offered the use of GAA facilities for the roll-out of vaccines, John added that the GAA should be able to assist Pharmacists and GP’s in the roll-out of the vaccine, provided the insurance and safety protocols are in place. He said that if the GAA can do this, as a final act in fighting the virus, it will have served the country well.
John Horan was justifiably scathing of those who breached training bans and match day protocols, insisting they show a lack of respect for people’s health by their actions.
While accepting that the number of violations was tiny in the context of overall GAA activity, the President said that it reflected badly on those who led or allowed those breaches of the regulations to happen.
As his term as President of the GAA comes to an end, Austin Stacks pays warm tribute to John Horan for his solid and progressive leadership of our Association. We also extend our best wishes to New York’s Larry McCarthy, a native of County Cork, who will become the new President of the GAA. Larry will be the 40th President of the GAA.
Our facilities are missing the buzz of activity created by training and games. We have missed the special roar of the Rockies since last March. We are chomping at the bit to resume normal service. Please be patient and keep safe. Continue to exercise within a 5km radius of your residence and before long club activities will resume.
FEBRUARY IN THE PAST: The first week in February has usually been the start of our playing season.
During the past four seasons, for example, our Seniors and Minors were in action in the Town League with both sides having good starts in their opening rounds. Our Seniors won all their first round games – defeating Ballymac last year (1-15 to 2-5), overcoming John Mitchels in 2019 (0-13 to 0-10), then having six points to spare against Na Gaeil in 2018 (2-13 to 2-7) and finally defeating Mitchels again in 2017 (0-19 to 1-10).
During the same four years our Minors had three wins and one draw in their opening rounds. Their draw came last season in a very competitive game against Ballymac (5-5 to 4-8).
In 2019 they had an almost double-score win against Kerins O’Rahillys (2-15 to 1-8). Ballymac then were the opposition again in both 2018 and 2017 with our lads having comprehensive wins in both seasons – 8-12 to 1-6 in 2018 and by 5-9 to 2-7 in 2017.
Off the field during the first week in February in 2003 (1st Feb) the Club collected the AIB Club of the Year Award at a ceremony in Croke Park. In 2006 (1st Feb) Denny Long was elected Manager of the SF team and in 2014 (3rd Feb) Mark Power was unveiled as our SH manager.
Bereavements during the first week in February include Garry Fernane Jnr. who passed away at the young age of 44 in 1985 (3rd), Dick Kelter who died in 2002 (7th) and Norrie Galvin-Gentleman who died in 2014 (2nd).
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
CLUB LOTTO: Monday Night’s (1st Feb) Jackpot, worth €13,400, was not won. The numbers drawn were 4, 5, 9, 26.
The €20 winners were Lorraine Healy, Elisha Dowling, Pat McCarthy, Carmel O’Neill and Benny Murphy, all c/o The Club.
Continued thanks to the following businesses for selling our Club Lotto tickets – Kevin Barry’s Shop, Commane’s Book Shop, O’Flynn Interiors, Hussey’s, Princess St., Terry’s Butcher’s, Oakpark and The Burger Shack, Monavally and to everyone who purchase tickets week in, week out.
Austin Stacks lotto tickets are now also available to purchase on line on the following link: https://play.clubforce.com/play_newa.asp?ll_id=529#Anchor Kirby’s Brogue Inn Maguire’s Butchers Hussey’s P. Commane Books.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently: Sheila Conway (nee Sheahan), Rock St. and formerly Roxborough, Firies; Richard (Dick) Donnelly, Kerins Park; Brigid Carey (nee Hanly), Kilcommon, Thurles (mother of former Club Hurler, Matt Carey); Noreen Leen (nee Murphy), Lee Drive, Ballinorig and formerly Connolly Park and Old Marian Park; Michael Pigott, Cahills Park; and Mary Lawlor (nee Lynch), Herts. (UK) and formerly Mitchel’s Avenue.
