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SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-13; Kilcummin 1-11.
The 5th and final round of this season’s Co. League played in a sunny Connolly Park on last Sunday afternoon (1stAugust) ended as we had hoped it would with a victory which secures our Division 1 status for the coming season. The visitors opened the scoring inside the first minute to be cancelled out by a good point from play by Michael O’Gara in the 4th minute. Kilcummin kept in touch during the first half with the sides level on four points each at the end of the first quarter. We were one point ahead at half time (1-4 to 0-6) with our goal coming just after the first water-break when Colin Griffin, as he normally does, burst up field to find the net in fine fashion.
We came more into the game during the second half and were four points clear (1-11 to 0-10) at the end of the second water-break courtesy of some fine scores from frees and play by Seán Quilter. Michael O’Donnell and Shane O’Callaghan were also on target during this period to add to their first half scores. But the two points that caught the eye during this half were two super efforts put over by Conor Jordan in the 44th and 55th minutes. We were five points clear going into added time but a good goal by the East Kerry boys reduced our winning margin to just two points.
So after a rather shaky opening three rounds where we drew two (against Dingle and Spa) and lost one (to Dr. Crokes) we came good in the final two rounds with wins against Mitchels and Kilcummin.
All our 15 starters and five subs played exceptionally well. That included the two Fitzmaurice brothers, David and Niall who were starting the game together for the first time. It was also good to see Barry Walsh and Star making their first starts of the season and also good to see four up and coming stars making their Senior debuts, Conor Myers, Armin Heinrich, Luke Chester and Joey Nagle.
So well done again to the whole squad and to the management team of Wayne Quillinan, Jonathan Conway, Eoin Colgan, Mikey Collins, John O’Sullivan, Tommy Naughton, Damien Ryall and Fionán Hallinan.
Team: Robbie Murphy, Colin Griffin (1-0), Dylan Casey, Ronan Shanahan, Paul O’Sullivan, Conor Jordan (0-2), Niall Fitzmaurice, Barry Walsh, Michael O’Gara (0-1), Shane O’Callaghan (0-2), Fiachna Mangan, David Fitzmaurice, Seán Quilter (0-5 – four frees), Kieran Donaghy, Michael O’Donnell (0-3 – one free).
Subs used: Greg Horan (30+2m), Conor Myers (51m), Armin Heinrich (53m), Luke Chester (57m), Joey Nagle (57m).
B FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-10; St. Michaels/Foilmore 0-10.
What an evening it turned out to be in Foilmore (Saturday, 31st July). We went into this game with a 100% record – winning all our four Co. League games and our three games in the District League, including the final of that competition. But this game at the South Kerry venue on Saturday evening (31st July) turned out to be our toughest to date. The opposition showed us they meant business when they led by five points to one at the end of the first water break – our sole point coming from a 4th minute Donagh McKivergan free.
But whatever Paddy and his colleagues put in the water during that first break paid dividends as we
doubled-scored the home side (four points to two) during that second quarter to leave us just two points in arrears at half time (seven points to five). A second Donagh McKivergan pointed free plus two by Conor Myers (one each from a free and play) and a super effort from play by the always active Gearóid Sheehan were our contributors during this period.
We continued with our come-back during the third quarter scoring a further three points to one for the home side. Conor Myers with two (both from play) and a third Donagh McKivergan point from a free left us level for the first time in the game at the end of the third quarter (0-8 each).
But it was during the fourth quarter that this game was finally put to bed. A point each by both sides (ours by Gearóid Fitzgerald) saw the sides still on level terms on nine points each with six minutes of normal timer remaining. Then came what was to be the game changer. Team captain John Murphy got the ball rolling and it was Gearóid Fitzgerald who scored the only goal of the game in the 54th minute to put us in the lead for the first time in the game – a lead which we held to the end. Rory Forbes was deservedly nominated the Man of the Match at the end of the game.
Team: David Hennessy, Luke Chester, Joey Nagle, John Murphy (Capt), Dara Barry Walsh, Paul Galvin, Paul Barrett, Shane Walsh, Rory Forbes, Andrew Morrissey, Gearóid Sheehan (0-1), Ciaran O’Connell, Donagh McKivergan (0-3 frees), Conor Myers (0-5 – two frees)s, Gearóid Fitzgerald (1-1).
Subs used: Dean Rusk (41m), Daniel O’Rourke (55m).
So a great season so far for the B team and a special thanks to their superb mentors Paddy Barry, Eamonn O’Reilly, Kieran Kelliher, TJ Sheehan, Mikey Collins, Tim McMahon and Dale Counihan. We now play play Cordal, the Div. 5B winners, in a non event Div 5 Final in Farranfore. The game has been fixed for next Saturday evening (7th Aug) at 7pm but as we write the opposition are seeking a change of date.
U20 FOOTBALL: Our next game – in round 4 of this five round Co. League at home to Laune Rangers – has been brought forward a day and will now take place on this coming Friday evening (6th August) at 7.30pm. The 5th and final round is an away game against Dr. Crokes on the weekend of the 14th August.
CONGRATULATIONS: to Sineád O’Keeffe, daughter of Johnno and Liz, who has been appointed by the Cork Co. Board as their new Commercial Director of Cork GAA. Best of luck Sineád in your new role.
JULY/AUG IN THE PAST (27/07 to 03/08). On the field of play in 2017 (29th July) our Lady Footballers won the Co. IF Final defeating Na Gaeil in a closely fought contest (1-14 to 1-13). Team: Deborah Mangan, Karena Slattery, Norma O’Connor (Capt), Sarah Higgins, Deirdre O’Shea, Caitriona Horgan, Ellen O’Connell, Laura Rogers (0-2), Aoife Dillane, Breda Slattery (0-1), Caoimhe Barry-Walsh ((0-1), Karina Quilter, Megan O’Brien (1-6), Marina Barry-Walsh (0-3), Maeve McKivergan. Subs used: Ciara Rogers, Sarah Hoare, Clare Brennan (0-1). Rest of Panel: Jemma O’Connell, Lauren Murphy, Gemma O’Connor, Sarah Fitzgerald, Leanne Hanafin, Lorna O’Sullivan, Lauren Barrett, Dakotah Carter Flynn and Mollie O’Carroll.
Off the pitch our new Clubrooms were officially opened by the then Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O’Donoghue T.D. with our then Club President, Fr. Micheál Galvin performing the official blessing. That took place on Bank Holiday Monday, 1st August 2005.
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 (2nd August) Jackpot, worth €2,500, was not won. The numbers drawn were 8, 18, 22, 27. The €20 winners were Pat & Eileen Finn, Brendan O’Donnell and Pat Carmody, all c/o The Club; and Louise Morrison and Meabh Phelan, both c/o On-Line.
Next Monday’s Jackpot will be worth €2,550.
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 The Burger Shack, Monavally as well as Maguire’s Butchers and Kirby’s Brogue Inn and continued thanks 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: Adam Czubinski, Rockpark Avenue and formerly Poland; Joyce Mullins, Lixnaw and formerly Tralee; George Patrick O’Connor, Leicester and formerly Mitchel’s Crescent; Margaret O’Sullivan (nee Courtney), Ardara, Oakpark and formerly Kevin Barry’s Villas and New York; Eileen Bailey (nee Fealy), Ballyvelly and formerly Lohercannon; Bridie O’Sullivan, Kevin Barry’s Villas and formerly Ballymullen (aunt of our own Timmy Lynch); Margaret Sheehan (nee Knightly), Ballincollig, Kielduff and formerly Ballyard;and Hervé Mahé, Brittany, Barna (Galway) and Tralee.
