THE LATE CHARLIE HEALY: There was a large attendance of family, friends and former team mates, including Club Chairman, Aidan O’Connor and current players Kieran Donaghy and Wayne Guthrie, at the Club Pitch in Connolly Park last Saturday (26th Sept) for the spreading of the ashes of the late Charlie Healy. As the sun shone brilliantly it was a fitting tribute to one of the Club Greats whose heart and soul was in the Rock and whose remains and spirit will now forever be part of this hallowed turf which will be an inspiration to all who will don the Black & Amber for years to come.
HURLING: Ballyheigue 4-23; Austin Stacks 0-5.
With the opposition at full strength and with our side missing some first choice players, this Co. League (Div 3) Final played in Lerrig on last Saturday afternoon (26th Sept) was always going to be a difficult one.
Ballyheigue took full advantage of the very strong wind which assisted them in the first half and led by 3-19 to 0-1 at the break – our solitary point coming from a well-taken long distance free by Colm Ó Giollagáin in the 20th minute.
Despite that massive deficit our lads continued to play some classy hurling in the second half and matched the opposition point for point in that period. They were unlucky to concede the only goal of the half, late on. Our four points came from a further two frees by Colm and two brilliant scores from play by Ciarán Breen and team captain, Danny Maguire.
Team: Peter Doyle, Kevin O’Leary, Peter O’Regan, Andrew Foley, Ciarán Breen (0-1), Paul Daly, Seán Hartnett, Joe Brennan, Kieran McCaughley, Breandán Caball, Danny Maguire (Capt) (0-1), Michael O’Leary, Colm Ó Giollagáin (0-3 frees), Terry Desmond, Ross Long.
Sub used: Stephen Pierce (47m).
Next on our agenda is the County JH Championship Final against Duagh – a repeat of the 2012 Final which we won by 4-10 to 0-9. No date or venue has been fixed for this game as we write.
SENIOR FOOTBALL: Our Co. League game against Finuge did not go ahead last weekend due to the bereavement of a family member of the Finuge team. Sincere sympathy to Dylan Roche from everyone in the Club.
We now turn our attention to the Co. Championship which resumes this coming weekend. Our R3 game (last 15) against Dr. Crokes goes ahead as a double header in Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday (4th Oct) at 3.30pm. It will be preceded at 2pm by the Legion .v. Feale Rangers game. Best of luck to Stephen and his management team and the whole squad as we continue on the road to retain the title which we won so convincingly last season.
JUNIOR B FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 3-12; Ballylongford 3-12.
This was as good a game as we have witnessed all season – this round 10 Co. League game played in Connolly Park on last Sunday afternoon (27th Sept). The game had everything – fast, open, attacking football, some great scores, six goals, five penalties awarded (four to Ballylongford – two of which were converted and two of which were brilliantly saved by Paddy Fitzgibbon – what a game Pa had, making many other saves as well throughout the game and, added to that, some splendid kick-outs also).
The first of those saves came after just 26 seconds of play when he diverted over after the ball came off the bar, with the return shot goal-bound.
After a very measured build-up our opener came in the 4th minute from Breandán Caball. What a first half Breandán had – he added four more points in this half – one from a free – from all angles and distances. Our other points of the half came from team captain, Seamus Bastible (2), coming up from his half back position, and the other from a lovely effort by Shane Crowley.
Coming up to the break we were trailing by a point, after the visitors had netted that 20th minute penalty, but a goal on the stroke of half time, slotted away beautifully by Louis Ryle, gave us a two points lead at the interval (1-8 to 1-6).
Straight from the restart Calvin Foley won the throw-in, passed to Philip Quilter who found Seán Fitzmaurice and in an inter-change with Sean Dukes, Seán Fitz put us further ahead after just 18 seconds. However Ballylongford dominated the next ten minutes, adding 1-4 in that period – their goal coming from their second penalty. But, within three minutes, the sides were level again courtesy of an Oisín Fitzgerald goal and a converted free by Breandán Caball.
In the final quarter both sides scored 1-2 each – our scores coming from a Seán Dukes point from an acute angle after receiving from Louis Ryle, and a penalty goal – also put away beautifully by Seán Dukes following a foul on Seán Fitzmaurice. That goal- in the 56th minute – levelled matters for the 8th time in the game. Three minutes later Calvin Foley put us back in the lead, but the North Kerry boys levelled again within a minute and that was the last score of game, even though there were three minutes of added time with both sides going for victory. However at the end of an absorbing contest a draw was a fitting result as neither side deserved to lose.
Team: Paddy Fitzgibbon, Eoin Galvin, Denis O’Neill, Nicholas Gogarty, Dylan Harnett, Seamus Bastible (Capt) (0-2), John Murphy, Calvin Foley (0-1), Philip Quilter, Shane Crowley (0-1), Seán Dukes (1-1 – one penalty goal), Louis Ryle (1-0), Breandán Caball (0-6 – 2 frees), Seán Fitzmaurice (0-1), Oisín Fitzgerald (1-0).
We now have one more League game to play, at home to Valentia, on a date to be fixed. However the contest will have no bearing on the League table as Valentia, along with Moyvane and Reenard, are guaranteed promotion to Div. 4 next season.
U21 FOOTBALL: We still await a date for our forthcoming Club Championship (Shield Section) semi final tie against Ballydonoghue.
MINOR FOOTBALL: Likewise our Minors are awaiting to play their semi final (in the Central League) against either Dingle, An Ghaeltacht or Laune Rangers.
CONGRATULATIONS: to Eamon Scanlon and his Partner, Maeve Townsend, on the recent birth of their baby boy, Donagh.
BEST WISHES: All in the Club sent best wishes to Jack McCarthy (son of former Club Hurler, Kevin) for a full and speedy recovery from the injuries he sustained in a recent accident.
BINGO: continues on this and every Saturday night commencing at 8.30pm.
CLUBHOUSE: As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties. For Bookings phone Des at 066 7126942 after 8pm any evening.
CARDS: The 45 Card Sessions continue in the Clubhouse every Monday and Thursday Nights, commencing at 9.30pm each night.
LOTTO: Last week’s (22nd Sept) Jackpot, worth €5,000, was not won. The numbers drawn were 15, 21, 22, and 31.
The €20 Prizes went to Daniel Teahan, c/o The Minors; Mary Lacey, c/o The Seniors; John Tobin & Lorraine Healy, c/o Richard Healy; Peter O’Regan, c/o Brendan O’Regan; and The Liston Family, c/o Club Rockies.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Helen Lowin (nee Hanafin), Knockmoyle; Seán Reidy, Ogham Rian, Ballinorig and late of Ashgrove, Ballyvelly; Patrick Moriarty, Tonevane and late of Listowel; Eilís O’Callaghan (nee Trant), St. Brendan’s Park and late of Rathea, Listowel (relative of the Naughton family, including Tommy of our SF squad); and Elizabeth Scanlon, Ballyroe.
